Good morning, ladies and gents. It’s a quiet morning on the news front, save for some key updates from Egypt and a smattering of regional updates elsewhere. Let’s jump in.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY- Seventeen regional and international consortiums — including our friends at Infinity — have been prequalified for the tender process for several desalination plants in Egypt as part of the first phase of the government’s desalination program.

^^ We have the details on this story and more in the news well, below.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- No single story captured the full attention of the foreign press yesterday, but Mitsubishi Corp and MUFG’s launch of their USD 1 bn decarbonization fund, and reports the US may table regulations encouraging automakers to source electricity from renewable natural fuels both got coverage. Japanese trading titan Mitsubishi Corp, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and other companies will earmark USD 1 bn to support Western startups’ clean energy projects, especially for offshore wind power developments and sustainable aviation fuel projects by EU and US-based companies, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, across the pond, the US government is reportedly looking to postpone the passage of legislation that would provide tradable credits to automakers open to charging their EVs with electricity sourced from renewable natural gases and/or from methane sourced from landfills and cattle, the newswire notes.

WATCH THIS SPACE #1- Kuwait racing to meet this year’s renewables target: Kuwait is in talks with renewable energy “specialists” as it aims to meet this year’s national target of having renewables provide 15% of the country’s electricity needs, the Kuwait News Agency reports, citing Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Minister Mutlaq Burguba. Kuwait is also looking to set up an organizational unit that would be tasked with handling matters related to the renewable energy sector, the outlet said, adding that the ministry plans to source 10% of the power used by its headquarters from renewables.

WATCH THIS SPACE #2- Will Istanbul issue its first green bond? Istanbul is looking to raise between EUR 500-600 mn from its first green bond issuance — subject to approval from market authorities — to finance its planned USD c.963 mn metro line in southwestern Istanbul, General Secretary of Istanbul Can Akin Caglar told Reuters. Caglar did not specify the green paper’s offering date. The Turkish government is also looking to establish a solid waste incineration facility which will need EUR 500 mn in funding from a separate green bond issuance, Caglar said.

THE DANGER ZONE- Poor rainfall is putting farming in Jordan at risk: Rainfall in Jordan this season averaged 168 mm, taking a heavy toll on crops in the already water scarce country, The National reports, citing data from Jordan’s Meteorological Department. Although this season’s rainfall is 88% more than last season, it still remains well below the average of 210 mm. Some areas are more affected than others, with agricultural region Jerash seeing rainfall this season amounting to only 57% of its average 340 mm, according to the data. The water supply crisis is causing a disparity in the kingdom, with desert regions to the east of Jerash producing high quality crops due to being irrigated by wells dug into water reservoirs. The dwindling water supply has pushed some farmers to turn to growing strawberries, which consume less water than other crops cultivated in the kingdom, The National reported in a separate story.

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COME TO OUR NEXT ENTERPRISE FORUM-

The Enterprise Exports & FDI Forum, our latest industry-specific conference, is taking place on Monday, 15 May. The Enterprise Exports & FDI Forum will give insiders and newcomers alike the chance to talk about how to develop an export-centered business and how their companies can help Egypt build an export-led economy that makes us a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Why exports & FDI? In the wake of successive floats of EGP, exports and FDI have never been more important to our economy — or our businesses. We’re gathering some of the CEOs, top execs from local companies and multinationals, investors, bankers and finance folks to speak on how businesses can adapt their strategies to be export-oriented and what Egypt as a country can do to draw foreign investment and much-needed FX. Expect it to be heavy on lessons learned in Egypt and other global growth markets — and lots of success stories. You can learn more on our conference website here.

And what better place to discuss moving our goods than Egypt’s original logistics zone — the Nile. That’s why we’re looking forward to holding the event by the river’s vistas at the Four Seasons, Nile Plaza.

Some of the biggest names in business and finance are on board — are you? The Enterprise Exports and FDI Forum is taking place with the generous support of our friends, including:

Banking partners: Banque Misr | Al Baraka Bank | Emirates NBD | HSBC

Lead partners: DB Schenker | DP World | East Port Said Development | IDG | IFC | Madinat Masr

Event partners: Beyti | Concrete | Global Corp | Grant Thornton | Hassan Allam Utilities | Royal Ceramica

WANT TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PARTNER? Ping a note to Moustafa, our head of commercial, here.

HAVEN’T REQUESTED AN INVITE YET? If you’re a C-suite exec, business owner, DFI staff, export executive, investor or banker, please fill out the form here to signal your interest, letting us know your name, title and where you work.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Turkey is hosting the International 100% Renewable Energy Conference this Thursday, 4 May to Saturday, 6 May in Istanbul. The event will bring together experts to discuss the integration of renewables, renewable energy technologies and applications, and the Roadmap to 2050.

The UAE is hosting the Global Green Future Fuel conference from next Monday, 8 May to Wednesday, 10 May in Dubai. The green energy-focused business event brings together policymakers, renewable energy generators, project developers, and chemical and mobility industry representatives to define a new energy future shaped by hydrogen.

Egypt is hosting The Solar Show MENA next Tuesday, 9 May and Wednesday, 10 May in Cairo. The conference brings together policymakers, financiers, and others to develop and futureproof the region’s energy sector as one of the emerging players in developing clean energy solutions and energy infrastructure.

The UAE is hosting The Airport Show on Tuesday, 9 May to Thursday, 11 May in Dubai. The forum’s 22nd edition will bring together over 200 aviation companies and more than 100 buyers from 23 countries. It will shed light on leading innovations in airport sustainability, digitalization, and urban air mobility to facilitate the industry’s path towards sustainable and collaborative airport infrastructure development and operational transformations.

The UAE is hosting the UAE Climate Tech forum on Wednesday, 10 May and Thursday, 11 May in Abu Dhabi. The event will gather over 1k policymakers, CEOs, experts, and investors to discuss collaboration on innovative technologies and economic opportunities in advancing decarbonization across all sectors.

The first MENA Solar Conference is accepting applications from published researchers specialized in PV technology until next Sunday, 30 April. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will be hosting the conference from 15 to 18 November, in conjunction with the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition and the Dubai Solar Show 2023. Researchers can submit their papers here.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.