Mariam Al-Yazidi, Author at icnlive

Global Markets

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development strategic investments reach AED562 million

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s strategic investments reached AED562 million across six high-impact projects in 2025. These investments support healthcare, education, food security, and economic development across several emerging markets. The fund spread its capital across India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan during the year. You can see how these projects target essential services in underserved regions around the world. Each investment aligns with the ADFD 2030 Strategy and its focus on lasting impact. Together, these projects should deliver healthcare to more than two million people each year. They also aim to educate over 34,000 students and support more than 10,000 jobs. Healthcare drew the largest share of activity during the year, according to the fund.

How the fund spread its money

In Vietnam, the fund backed SIS Hospital, a specialised stroke and cardiovascular care provider. This hospital serves roughly 17 million people across the Mekong Delta and nearby regions. Doctors there have raised the share of stroke patients who now receive timely treatment. The hospital also helped more than 1,300 low-income patients through its treatment assistance programmes. ADFD also invested in Tam Tri Medical, one of Vietnam’s largest private healthcare networks. This network served more than one million patients during 2025 across seven hospitals total. It works mostly in underserved cities and eases pressure on public health systems there.

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development strategic investments widen education access

Beyond hospitals, the fund put money into human capital through schools and student learning. Its investment in Phase Education supports more than 34,000 students across 31 school campuses. This platform now runs across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand as a regional K-12 provider. The ADFD healthcare and education investments show a clear focus on essential daily services. Food security formed another core area for the fund throughout the past full year. In Uzbekistan, ADFD backed Korzinka, the country’s leading food retail chain, through its ADUI arm. The retailer employs more than 10,000 people and is now expanding its logistics operations widely.

Leadership view on the strategy has Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD, described the strategy behind this large capital. He said the projects “strengthen economic resilience in partner countries” and advance shared prosperity goals.

What these investments mean for you

For you as a reader, these moves shape how development finance reaches real communities. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development strategic investments target sectors people rely on daily. From my standpoint, this mix of healthcare and food spending shows careful, disciplined planning. Each project carries clear targets for patients, students, and workers across these partner nations. You also see a clear link to the ADFD 2030 Strategy in every choice. This wider push fits a broad global trend in emerging markets development finance today. The ADFD AED562 million investments cover six deals spread across four different partner countries.

A long-term path forward

Officials frame these deals as part of the fund’s broader long-term 2030 development goals. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development strategic investments form one part of a wider global program. Across decades, the fund has supported 108 countries through loans, grants, and equity stakes. You can expect more deals like these as the 2030 deadline draws closer now. These Abu Dhabi Fund for Development strategic investments will shape outcomes for millions ahead.

By Mariam Al-Yazidi
3 min read

Retail

UAE opens T-Sukuk subscription for first retail issuance at Dh1,000 minimum

T-Sukuk subscription opened this week, giving UAE residents direct access to a sovereign investment. The UAE Ministry of Finance announced the offering on Tuesday with full pricing details. Citizens and residents can now invest in the country’s first government-backed retail sukuk programme. The total issuance size reaches Dh50 million, equal to roughly 13.61 million US dollars. Your window to subscribe runs from June 24 through June 30 across approved digital channels. Each subscriber buys at face value, paying the full par price during the offering window.

This UAE Retail T-Sukuk carries a two-year tenor and a 4.30 percent yearly profit rate. Officials set the Dh1,000 minimum investment so a wide group of people can take part. Profit payments reach investors every six months until the instrument matures in two years. Each certificate equals one unit, and you can buy more in multiples of Dh1,000. No maximum cap applies, though the government can scale back large requests at its discretion.

Why the T-Sukuk subscription matters now

His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini serves as Minister of State for Financial Affairs. He said the opening of subscriptions strengthens the readiness of the UAE’s sovereign investment ecosystem. These channels enable investors to access government products efficiently and transparently, Al Hussaini said. The minister linked the programme to broader plans for public participation in local capital markets. Officials at the Central Bank of the UAE worked with the Ministry on this programme.

For everyday savers, this offering brings a low-risk option backed fully by the UAE Government. The instrument follows Islamic Shariah principles, so it suits people seeking a Shariah-compliant investment. From my standpoint, the Dh1,000 entry point removes a real barrier for first-time investors. Banks and market platforms handle the process online, which keeps participation simple and quick.

How to apply for the T-Sukuk subscription

You first obtain a DFM National Investor Number, known as a NIN, where needed. Approved digital channels include the Dubai Financial Market subscription platform, the DFM app, and iVestor. Emirates NBD Bank acts as the Lead Receiving Bank for this first sovereign issuance. Other receiving banks include Emirates Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, and Mashreq Bank. Submit your application through these channels and complete every required step before the window closes. Keep your investor details ready, since accurate identification connects your holdings to the right account.

A completed T-Sukuk subscription places your allocated units into your account before the listing date. Read the official offering documents and check your eligibility before you commit any money.

Nasdaq Dubai listing and secondary trading

Allocation happens right after the subscription period ends, with issuance planned for July 1. The Nasdaq Dubai listing follows, and trading opens to the public from July 2, 2026. You can sell your holdings in the secondary market through brokers licensed on the exchange. Market makers and liquidity providers support trading activity across the listing on an ongoing basis. The Ministry refunds any excess subscription amounts to investors no later than July 7. For markets, this first issuance tests demand for sovereign products among ordinary UAE investors. Officials plan regular issuances, with future tenors reaching up to seven years over time.

By Mariam Al-Yazidi
3 min read

Iran

US and Iran Nuclear Talks Delayed While Lebanon Border Fighting Worsens

U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have stalled before the first round set for Switzerland. Both sides agreed to meet on Friday, yet the session never reached the table. Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry called the meeting postponed and offered no clear public reason today. The delay arrived hours after Israel and Hezbollah fighters clashed across southern Lebanon overnight. Iran wants a firm Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as part of this fragile interim agreement.

American officials blamed logistical problems for the sudden change in the planned negotiation timetable. Vice President JD Vance, the lead US negotiator, delayed his trip to Europe late Thursday. Iran’s parliament speaker, set to lead Tehran’s team, also stayed home before the session. A White House spokesperson said the American team will leave at the first chance.

The US-Iran nuclear deal, signed on Wednesday, reopened the Strait of Hormuz to ships. Maritime traffic has grown steadily since Trump and Pezeshkian signed the new accord on Wednesday. Under the deal, the US lifted a naval blockade of several key Iranian ports. Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow safe passage for vessels.

Why the talks slipped

Both governments planned to begin work on a final agreement under the new memorandum. Officials confirmed the US Iran negotiations were postponed by both sides without a fresh date. Switzerland said its team stands ready to host the leaders once both sides agree. Fighting in southern Lebanon turned deadlier than usual during the overnight hours on Thursday.

US and Iran nuclear talks face a wider regional test

Israeli forces lost four soldiers, including a battalion commander, in the latest border clashes. Lebanese officials reported 18 people killed by Israeli strikes during the same violent night. The strain between Washington and Israel keeps growing over the future of any Lebanon ceasefire. Israel says its troops will stay near the border until Hezbollah no longer threatens. From my standpoint, this double strategy weakens speed and trust across a delicate process.

The deal opens a 60-day window to limit the Iranian nuclear program through new rules. Vance described ending Tehran’s weapons program as the central aim of this deal today. He told reporters the deal would bring “the destruction of the enriched material” soon. US and Iran nuclear talks now carry weight far beyond one delayed Swiss meeting.

What the delay means for you

Critics argue the US-Iran nuclear deal protects taxpayers and limits dangerous uranium across borders. Supporters warn the deal still leaves Tehran with deep expertise and a wide network. You will see the Strait of Hormuz stay central to every round of bargaining. Vance warned there will be no final deal if Iran tries to charge shipping tolls.

Energy prices rose sharply during the war and pushed inflation higher around the world. Thousands of people died across the region, mainly inside Iran and across southern Lebanon. US allies like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar faced drone and missile attacks. The two sides reached a shaky ceasefire on April 8 after months of fighting.

US and Iran nuclear talks still hold a clear path forward despite hard hurdles. Their next session will shape the Iranian nuclear program and global market confidence for years. You will keep hearing about the US and Iran nuclear talks through this tense season. Watch the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon closely for the next real signal soon.

By Mariam Al-Yazidi
3 min read

Mariam Al-Yazidi