Smashi

Syria is placing entrepreneurship at the center of its economic recovery strategy with the launch of the Syrian Youth and Entrepreneurs Council. The initiative aims to support young founders, turn ideas into sustainable businesses, connect startups with the private sector, and create new jobs across the country. It also reflects a wider push to give young Syrians a bigger role in shaping the country’s economic future as reconstruction efforts continue. With a focus on innovation, inclusion and employment, the council is being positioned as a platform to help transform youth potential into long-term economic growth. Newsletter: lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6 WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY #Syria #Entrepreneurship #Startups #YouthEmpowerment #EconomicDevelopment

Gaza’s reconstruction push is facing delays despite billions in headline commitments, per FT. The official World Bank-administered fund set up to finance Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has reportedly yet to receive any donor money, even after roughly $7 billion in pledges and Trump’s $10 billion US commitment. Meanwhile, the UAE is said to have committed $100 million toward a new Gaza police force, but the programme remains on hold. No contracts have been awarded and no US funding has reportedly reached the ground. For Gulf stakeholders, the gap between commitment and execution is becoming harder to ignore. Newsletter: lnkd.in/dAkTDhJ6 WhatsApp: aug.us/40FdYLU Instagram: aug.us/4ihltzQ Tiktok: aug.us/4lnV0D8 Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): aug.us/3BTU2MY #Gaza #UAE #MiddleEast #Reconstruction #Geopolitics

Italian hospitality group Gruppo Barletta has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s El-Khereiji family as a new investor through a €166 million, or roughly $193 million, capital increase that boosted the company’s valuation above €1.1 billion. The investment was made through Global Hotels Real Estate, the family’s hospitality vehicle, which will take an 8.5% stake as the company expands its luxury hospitality business across new markets. Part of the fresh funding will support the growth of Arsenale, Gruppo Barletta’s luxury hospitality arm, while existing shareholder the Rovati family also increased its ownership position through the transaction.

The Smashi Business Show: US-Iran Deal Talks, Manchester City Reset & Gulf Food Future x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

X user @Jamil_Alhasaan shared footage from the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Operations Room, where Saudi Arabia coordinates Hajj operations across more than 20 government entities spanning security, transport and healthcare.

NEOM has reportedly delayed major work on The Line until after 2030 as Saudi Arabia redirects spending toward ports, logistics and AI infrastructure, according to Semafor.

Leaked memo reveals Qatar Airways will reportedly skip staff bonuses for nearly 60,000 employees after the Iran war forced widespread flight cancellations and billions in lost revenue, according to Bloomberg.

Watch this wholesome interaction as Yusuff Ali helps an Emirati practice Malayalam, the language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala.

Axios previously reported the US was considering releasing roughly $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds as part of broader discussions tied to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

According to previous International Atomic Energy Agency estimates, Iran held roughly 440.9 kilograms enriched to 60 per cent purity prior to the recent ceasefire negotiations.

Iran has reportedly agreed to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of a broader agreement announced by US President Donald Trump, according to the New York Times.

Despite the Iran war and broader regional tensions, Saudi Arabia continues aggressively expanding its entertainment and boxing investments across the Middle East.

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Dubai-based British media mogul Richard Desmond is facing a legal bill exceeding £40 million after his Northern & Shell group lost a lawsuit over the UK National Lottery licence.

Dubai-based Lebanese influencer Karen Wazen has opened the first UAE flagship store for Karen Wazen Collection inside Dubai Mall’s newly redeveloped Social District.

Turki Alalshikh arrived in Cairo alongside MBC founder Waleed Al Ibrahim and Egyptian music icon Amr Diab for the premiere of Saudi-backed action film “7 Dogs.”

Qatari-Syrian conglomerate Estithmar Holding, part of the empire of billionaire brothers Moutaz Al-Khayyat and Ramez Al-Khayyat under Power International Holding, is reportedly working with Rothschild & Co on a potential Qatar IPO for healthcare subsidiary Apex Health.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and the architect behind Riyadh Season, praised Egypt during the global press conference for “Glory in Giza.”

The story of late Investcorp founder Nemir Kirdar — the man who built the bridge between Gulf wealth and Gucci