ABU DHABI / WAM A total of AED18.7 billion of dividends have been proposed by as many as 18 listed UAE national banks for 2018, 12.2 percent up from AED16.66 billion in 2017. The growth in dividend distribution reflects robust solvency position of UAE banking sector, reckoned among Mena’s most resilient with estimated AED2.9 trillion of assets by 2018-end. The …

Bloomberg Uber Technologies Inc. is in advanced discussions to buy Dubai-based Careem Networks FZ, a deal that would expand the ride-hailing giant’s operations in the Middle East, according to people familiar with the matter. The companies may announce a cash-and-sh-ares transaction that values Careem at about $3 billion in the coming weeks, the people said, asking not to be identified …

DUBAI / Emirates Business Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced ahead of Middle East Electricity that smart cities are driving the GCC’s smart grid market to $33 billion by 2042. GCC nationwide digital transformation and smart cities are weaving energy efficiency throughout every project — across renewable energy generation, more efficient power distribution …