Author: Business Enquirer

£624m in new contracts National Grid has announced £624 million of new contracts across 78 companies in England and Wales as part of its wider £40 billion investment programme to upgrade the UK’s energy infrastructure. The contracts will give businesses of different sizes a role in maintaining and modernising the country’s strategic electricity network over the next five years, creating opportunities across construction, engineering and related supply chains. SMEs set to benefit Small and medium sized businesses are also expected to play an important role in delivering the programme, with 69 SMEs included among the suppliers involved. The investment is…

Ares Management has raised approximately US$4 billion for its latest Japan-focused logistics development fund, marking the largest closed-end institutional fundraise in the history of the company’s real estate business. Japan Logistics Development Partners V closed at ¥612 billion and reached its maximum fundraising target, reflecting strong institutional demand for modern logistics infrastructure across one of Asia’s largest economies. The fund is almost 50 per cent larger than its 2021 predecessor and will primarily target the development of logistics facilities across major metropolitan markets including Greater Tokyo, Greater Osaka and Nagoya. The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in Japan’s…

Major Supply Chain Investment Saudi Aramco has announced agreements and a memorandum of understanding with French companies worth more than $3.7 billion, strengthening collaboration across procurement, technology and industrial development. The agreements were announced on 24 August 2026 during the French Saudi Investment Roundtable and are expected to strengthen Aramco’s supply chain while supporting operational efficiency and long term business growth. Strengthening Procurement The agreements cover several areas of Aramco’s operations, including a corporate procurement agreement for drilling equipment and a purchase agreement for Oil Country Tubular Goods used in the energy industry. The arrangements are designed to support reliable…

Major Manufacturing Expansion Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM) is investing $200 million in a new advanced manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas, in a major expansion that is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs by 2030. The new facility will be located at Brooks City Base and is planned to cover one million square feet, creating a substantial increase in IEM’s manufacturing capacity. The project is set to focus on power distribution and control equipment, serving a range of industries including data centres, hospitals, energy companies and other large industrial operations. The scale of the project makes it a significant…

One of the UK’s most significant construction and leisure developments is gathering momentum in Bedford, as work progresses on the future Universal United Kingdom Resort. The multi-billion-pound development will become Universal Destinations & Experiences’ first major resort in the UK and Europe, bringing together a large-scale theme park, visitor accommodation, retail, dining and entertainment facilities. Work on the site began in 2026, with the resort currently scheduled to open in 2031. The scale of the development makes it one of the most important construction projects currently moving forward in the UK, with around 20,000 jobs expected to be created during…

Belfast City Airport has taken another major step towards its long term expansion plans, unveiling proposals that could unlock up to £200 million of private investment and significantly strengthen Northern Ireland’s aviation infrastructure. The airport has submitted Proposal of Application Notices to Belfast City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council, marking the next stage of its Master Plan 2040. The proposals will now enter a consultation process before potential planning applications are submitted later this year. Planning for future aviation growth At the heart of the plans is a vision to increase passenger capacity to around seven million…

UK mining is set for a significant boost after the National Wealth Fund announced an investment of up to £71 million to support the restart of the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon. The funding will support Tungsten West with the construction, commissioning and processing costs required to bring the historic mine back into production. The project is also expected to strengthen the UK’s domestic supply of tungsten, a critical mineral used in industries including defence, aerospace and next generation energy. The investment comprises a £36 million equity investment alongside up to £35 million in lending. The UK Government…

Harbour Energy and its partners have taken a final investment decision on the Who Dat East development in the US Gulf, marking another step forward in the company’s strategy to grow production through infrastructure-led offshore projects. The development will be operated by Harbour Energy’s wholly owned subsidiary LLOG Exploration and will consist of a single subsea well tied back to the existing Who Dat floating production system. First production is expected in the second half of 2028. Located in Mississippi Canyon Block 509 in approximately 1,300 metres of water, Who Dat East builds on existing infrastructure rather than requiring the…

Discover a world of turquoise waters, pristine beaches and effortless luxury with our guide to five of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands to visit in 2026. From elegant escapes and stylish resorts to untouched natural beauty and authentic island culture, these destinations each offer something distinctive for travellers seeking a memorable Caribbean getaway. Curaçao, Southern Caribbean A vibrant island of year round sunshine, turquoise waters and distinctive Dutch Caribbean charm, Curaçao offers a colourful alternative to the traditional Caribbean escape. The island is perhaps best known for the colourful architecture of Willemstad, where pastel coloured buildings line the waterfront and…

India’s renewable energy sector is showing how business growth and sustainability can work alongside one another, with ReNew reporting significant progress in cutting emissions while expanding its clean power generation. The company, described as India’s second largest renewable energy company, has published its annual report for the 2025/26 financial year, highlighting reductions in operational emissions, increased clean electricity generation and a growing focus on wider environmental and social impact. ReNew exceeds emissions reduction target According to the report, ReNew reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25.6% compared with its 2021 baseline. This exceeded the company’s target of a…