Economy - TRENDS MENA

Non-oil activities drove growth as construction, finance, real estate and transport sectors posted robust gains, underscoring diversification efforts and long-term...
Trade remained the largest non-oil contributor, accounting for 16.9 percent of GDP, ahead of finance sectors.
Officials highlighted investments in technology, innovation and digital economy initiatives as drivers of future readiness.
About $650 billion in trade flows are affected, with global maritime routes facing growing disruption and uncertainty risks.
GCC countries are redirecting cargo flows through alternative gateways, increasing transit costs and causing longer delivery times
Saudi Arabia could leverage Red Sea access and East African investments to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime choke points
76% of younger investors and 75% of older investors have acted on a recommendation by an AI engine
Younger investors favour future-facing sectors and mature investors are more likely to support industries that are well established in the UAE
Both groups share the same top three investing goals: to achieve financial independence, to supplement income, and to provide long-term security
Eight technology domains, including AI, robotics, engineering biology and advanced materials are no longer advancing in isolation.
The United States alone could face a shortfall of between 10,100 and 19,900 surgeons by 2036.
Organizations are urged to assess where bottlenecks sit in their value chains, determine which technology combinations could shift those constraints.
The PMI report finds that MENA will require up to 330,794 construction project management professionals by 2035 under a high-growth...
Even under a low-growth scenario, the region would still face a shortfall of more than 88,561 professionals.
Retirement-driven attrition will widen the gap further, compounding pressure on an already strained talent market.
The report, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and analytics firm SAS, highlights widening gaps between rapidly evolving...
Among the fastest-growing threats is deepfake-enabled social engineering.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have the potential to take a leading role in next-generation fraud prevention.
Bitcoin has already endured five consecutive months of declines since reaching an all-time high of $126,500 in October 2025. February...
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index recently fell to record lows, highlighting just how fragile investor confidence had become even before geopolitical tensions intensified.
Progress around the proposed CLARITY Act in the United States could mark a structural milestone for the industry.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled a cautious approach, noting that elevated energy prices and geopolitical tensions could complicate the inflation...
The CBUAE said it would also maintain the rate applicable to short-term borrowing at 50 basis points above the Base Rate for all standing credit facilities.
Central Banks of GCC countries --Kuwait remains a partial exception-- typically adjust their policy rates in lockstep with the Fed, as their currencies being pegged to the dollar.
AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. “Agentic AI” systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud...
However, the report also found that law enforcement authorities are collaborating more effectively.
Since 2024, the number of fraud-related Notices and Diffusions has increased by 54 percent.
In a statement following a virtual meeting with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol, the ministers said they...
They added that proactive measures—including the possible use of strategic oil reserves—remain under consideration as part of efforts to stabilize global energy markets.
The ministers said coordination is ongoing among G7 members as well as with IEA member states and other partners.