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- AlAbbar-led Americana's Luxury Bid; BCG Under Fire For Modelling Gaza Relocation Plan; Baladna Bets on Syria
AlAbbar-led Americana's Luxury Bid; BCG Under Fire For Modelling Gaza Relocation Plan; Baladna Bets on Syria
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Happy Sunday everyone!
Our top stories for today are: Americana is branching out from fast food into high-end retail with a franchise deal for Greek brand carpo. Meanwhile, global consultancy BCG is under fire for its behind-the-scenes role in a Gaza aid project involving controversial relocation modelling. And Qatari dairy producer Baladna is committing $250 million to Syria, capitalizing on a new business opening following the rollback of U.S. sanctions.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
Americana Steps Into Luxury Retail With Franchise Deal For Greek Brand Carpo
🔹 What Is It About
Americana Restaurants, the MENA region’s largest casual dining operator, is entering the luxury food retail space through an exclusive franchise agreement with premium Greek brand carpo. Known for artisanal chocolates, curated coffees, and gourmet nuts, carpo will open flagship stores in Kuwait and Qatar by 2025, followed by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
🔹 Why It Matters
This move marks a strategic diversification for Americana, as it looks to capture rising demand for experience-led, premium retail. The partnership with carpo aligns with regional consumer trends favoring quality, storytelling, and luxury lifestyle offerings beyond traditional dining.
🔹 What’s Next
Americana plans to replicate carpo’s Dubai success by opening stores in high-end malls across the Gulf. The expansion supports its broader strategy to evolve from a restaurant group into a curator of upscale, immersive food experiences.
🎙️ “Points of Growth”, Yango Ads’ podcast about AdTech, Releases Episode 3
Yango Ads, the AdTech arm of Yango Group, runs its very own podcast - Points of Growth. Tailored for marketers, founders, and growth teams, this series explores practical strategies for driving sustainable growth through data, AI, and smart advertising.
On July 1, Episode 3 launched, focusing on a topic of app monetization. The host Neha Dawar, Business Developer Manager at Yango Ads, is joined by Lucas Calixto, Business Developer Manager, and Alex Khoroshilov, Technical Customer Success Manager, to discuss effective monetization strategies, the latest ad formats, AI as a co-pilot and actionable tips for developers looking to increase revenue.
The podcast kicks off with a six-episode season tackling challenges in fast-moving sectors like tourism, fashion, real estate, retail, and gaming - where digital acceleration is rewriting the rules of engagement. The first two episodes - on AdTech trends and essential advertising toolbox - are already available on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music.
Markets
EGX 30 | 32,820.49 | Closed |
DFMGI | 5,753.27 | Closed |
ADX | 9,981.50 | Closed |
Tadawul | 11,244.45 | Closed |
BCG Under Fire For Modelling Gaza Relocation Plan In Controversial Aid Project
🔹 What Is It About
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) modelled scenarios for relocating Palestinians from Gaza as part of its work on a controversial US- and Israel-backed aid initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Financial Times reported. The firm’s involvement spanned seven months, included a $4mn contract, and supported a militarised aid distribution system run by private contractors and guarded by Israeli forces.
🔹 Why It Matters
The project, codenamed Aurora, has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the UN, with allegations it served as a cover for Israeli war aims. BCG’s modelling of mass relocation sparked internal backlash and raised ethical concerns, leading to the dismissal of two senior partners and an independent investigation.
🔹 What’s Next
BCG has pulled out of the project, forfeited payment, and launched an internal review with legal support from WilmerHale. The firm has pledged to tighten its oversight and reaffirm its commitment to humanitarian principles, as scrutiny over private-sector involvement in politically sensitive aid operations intensifies.
Qatar’s Baladna To Invest $250 Million In Syria Following Sanctions Shift
🔹 What Is It About
Qatari dairy giant Baladna has announced a $250 million investment in Syria to build an integrated industrial complex, including dairy and juice plants, packaging facilities, and a water treatment unit. The decision follows the recent lifting of US sanctions on Syria by President Donald Trump.
🔹 Why It Matters
The move signals renewed Gulf engagement in Syria’s post-war economic recovery. It comes amid a broader regional trend, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia recently clearing Syria’s World Bank debt and pledging further financial support.
🔹 What’s Next
Baladna’s Syria investment adds to its regional expansion, following recent moves in Egypt and Nigeria. The company also plans to establish a new subsidiary in Egypt for back-office support, reinforcing its long-term strategy to become a dominant MENA food and dairy player.
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