{
  "id": 6295315,
  "title": "IHC to acquire 80% stake in UAE's Marlan Holding to expand into space economy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/ihc-to-acquire-80-stake-in-uaes-marlan-holding-to-expand-into-space",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T15:50:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2026/09/08/ihc-to-acquire-80-stake-in-uaes-marlan-holding-to-expand-into-space-economy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) is set to acquire an 80 percent stake in UAE-based Marlan Holding, as it aims to expand its presence in the burgeoning space economy. The deal, to be finalized through IHC's subsidiary, International Tech Group, is expected to proceed after obtaining necessary regulatory clearances. IHC stated that this strategic majority acquisition will broaden its portfolio into deep tech and the burgeoning space sector. Marlan Holding, which operates through Marlan Space, is a UAE-based holding company associated with Marlan Space, a venture focused on space and related technologies. Marlan Space's portfolio encompasses space systems, autonomous operations, and advanced computing technologies. The company is also behind Orbitworks, a private space infrastructure firm that collaborates with US-based Loft Orbital to construct commercial satellites on a large scale. Marlan Space's Altair program is an AI-driven Earth observation constellation comprising multiple satellites, integrating various sensors like optical, hyperspectral, thermal, infrared, and RF systems. According to Syed Basar Shueb, IHC's CEO, \"Space is becoming an increasingly vital component of the global technology and infrastructure landscape, with applications spanning communications, Earth observation, data, AI, and numerous other fields.\" He further added, \"This acquisition strategically positions IHC within the new space economy, granting Marlan Space access to the group's financial resources, expertise, and expansive value networks to fuel its forthcoming growth phase.\" IHC, one of the Middle East's most valuable holding companies, operates through over 1,300 subsidiaries. Its direct subsidiaries include Alpha Dhabi Holding, EasyLease, Palms Sports, Emirates Stallion Group, and Al Seer Marine. The company's investment portfolio comprises notable entities such as Aldar Properties, Al Ain Farms, PureHealth, marine services firm NMDC, and produce firm NRTC. Despite the ongoing Iran War, IHC has not altered its investment strategy and intends to continue deploying capital across global markets, as disclosed by Shueb in an interview with The National in May. IHC intends to invest up to $8 billion within the next six months in sectors like mining, energy, and financial services. Recently, the company reported a 220 percent surge in second-quarter profits, reaching Dh12.8 billion ($3.5 billion), primarily driven by a substantial rise in energy and mining revenues. Q2 revenue grew by more than a third year-over-year, reaching Dh33.4 billion. IHC's latest acquisition aligns with the global surge in the space economy, fueled by reduced launch costs, escalating demand for satellite-based data and services, and substantial investments in sovereign space capabilities. Through Marlan Space, IHC aims to capitalize on Abu Dhabi's expanding role in advanced technologies while fostering the development of commercially scalable space infrastructure and services with international reach. Moreover, the transaction enhances IHC's exposure to technology-driven sectors, further diversifying its portfolio in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and advanced technologies.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company is in the process of acquiring an 80 per cent stake in Marlan Holding as it seeks to expand into the space sector. The acquisition will be carried out through IHC's subsidiary, International Tech Group, subject to regulatory approvals, the company said on Tuesday. The strategic majority acquisition will expand IHC’s portfolio into deep tech and the new…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}