RAKEZ powers Ras Al Khaimah’s growth: CEO Ramy Jallad
Jallad underscores the role played by RAK ruler Sheikh Saud in positioning the emirate as a magnet for SMEs and...
Interview
Special economic zones are a new craze in Middle East
Vast swathes of land across the desert region are seeing the sprouting of new special zones to entice big business...
Business
Economy
GCC steps up to diversify Europe’s natural gas supply
Amid Russian-Ukrainian war, Europe aims to diversify its energy sources, with Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia...
- Amid the Russian-Ukrainian war, Europe aims to diversify its energy sources, with Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia offering alternative natural gas options
- These countries have signed several long-term agreements to supply Europe with liquefied natural gas, helping to diversify Europe's energy sources and enhance energy security
Business
Business travel in MEA likely to bounce back by 2024
Business travel spending hit $23bn in 2022, nearing pre-pandemic levels as post-pandemic business trips get longer, supported by UAE's digital...
- Business travel spending hit $23bn in 2022, nearing pre-Covid levels as post-pandemic business trips get longer, supported by UAE's digital nomad and freelancer programs
- The UAE's technological advancements and evolving legal framework make it more appealing and open to business travelers, says Ali Haider, Regional Director of Nomadic
Economy
Oil price, COVID-19 spur Arab world’s public finance
Central banks are prioritizing fiscal and monetary policy coordination to boost macroeconomic stability, cut inflationary pressures, and support long-term growth.
- Central banks are prioritizing fiscal and monetary policy coordination to boost macroeconomic stability, cut inflationary pressures, and support long-term economic growth
- In 2022, global, regional, and local inflation led to a decline in public revenues and expenditures in the Arab world, while the public budget deficit fell from 6.7% to 2.1%
Economy
ESG shapes MENA region’s urban regeneration strategy
ESG principles offer a solution framework as the region faces urbanization challenges, including unplanned settlements in cities like Cairo and...
- ESG principles offer a solution framework as the region faces urbanization challenges, including unplanned settlements in cities like Cairo and Makkah, says a report
- Embracing the L-I-F-E (learn, integrate, fix and earn) approach for urban renewal offers GCC sustainability, resilience, growth, social unity, and global acclaim
Economy
UAE takes lead in advancing global climate action
Through the COP28 Summit, the UAE aims to facilitate discussions, build consensus, and catalyze transformative actions to address the escalating...
- Through the COP28 Summit, the UAE aims to facilitate discussions, build consensus, and catalyze transformative actions to address the escalating global climate crisis
- The world sees more frequent and direct impacts of the crisis, exemplified by record-breaking heatwaves wreaking havoc on ecosystems and communities, says an expert
Economy
GCC deals with rice shortage amid Russia-Ukraine war
The Russian-Ukrainian war heightens global food crisis fears as India, followed by the UAE and Russia, sequentially impose rice export...
- The Russian-Ukrainian war heightens global food crisis fears as India, followed by the UAE and Russia, sequentially impose rice export bans, disrupting global supply chains
- Saudi Arabia experiences an increase in rice consumption, overtaking wheat, while experts emphasize the potential for local rice cultivation in the country.
Economy
Global inflationary waves may hit Arab world’s growth
Rising rates and global slowdown pose challenges for economic growth and investment in Arab countries, which expect to expand at...
- Rising rates and global slowdown pose challenges for economic growth and investment in Arab countries, which expect to expand at 3.4% in 2023, down from 5.6% in 2022
- Diversified Arab economies are better equipped against economic shocks, says Arab Monetary Fund, adding that the regional inflation may hover around 6.8% for 2023
Business
Saudi real estate gets non-oil boost
The Saudi commercial real estate market is set for a significant upswing in 2023, propelled by the government's vision to...
- With the office market seen as the most lucrative and the luxury retail sector witnessing a surge, the Kingdom's real estate landscape is undergoing a transformative phase
- The Saudi commercial real estate market is on the brink of a significant expansion in 2023, driven by the government's economic diversification efforts, suggest reports
Business
GCC eyes global recycling dominance amidst EV boom
While rising EV demand may cause a global shortage of metals like cobalt and lithium by 2030, the Gulf region's...
- While rising EV demand may cause a global shortage of metals like cobalt and lithium by 2030, the Gulf region's vast resources position it as a potential recycling leader
- Battery recycling in resource-rich Gulf countries could ease global mineral supply pressures. However, the long lifespan of batteries currently limits available recycling material
Business
Oil prices fluid amid geopolitics, economic recovery
Geopolitical tensions, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war and the trade war between the United States and China, have sent shockwaves...
- Geopolitical tensions, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war and the trade war between the United States and China, have sent shockwaves through the oil market, says an expert
- OPEC's decisions to extend oil production cuts have stabilized markets, but challenges from non-OPEC+ producers and the global economic outlook continue to impact oil prices.
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RAKEZ powers Ras Al Khaimah’s growth: CEO Ramy Jallad
Jallad underscores the role played by RAK ruler Sheikh Saud in positioning the emirate as a magnet for SMEs and...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
Saudi football dominates Gulf sports scene this year
Arts & Culture
Demand for lifestyle experiences in GCC has increased: SHG CEO
Dubai, UAE -- Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is more than just a collection of hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs. Renowned...
Business
Qatar to set up Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution
Davos, Switzerland -- The war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, monetary policy in 2024, jobs, equitable economic growth,...
Business
Saudi startups soar amid surge in venture investments
Saudi Arabia, which secured over 50 percent of MENA's total venture investments in 2023, strategically focuses on financial technology to...
Economy
Most Read
Business
PIF’s diverse investments transform Saudi economy
From sports and gaming to pharmaceuticals and aviation, the Saudi Public Investment Fund's strategic initiatives are shaping a dynamic future...
- From sports and gaming to pharmaceuticals and aviation, the Saudi Public Investment Fund's strategic initiatives are shaping a dynamic future for the the Kingdom's economy.
- The PIF's diverse industry launches and acquisitions, managing $701 billion in assets, have created over 644,000 jobs in pharmaceuticals, aviation, and tourism sectors.
Economy
Gulf countries eye global metal recycling hub status
Amidst an electric vehicle market boom, a looming global shortage of crucial minerals such as lithium and cobalt threatens to...
- Amid an electric vehicle market boom, a looming global shortage of crucial minerals such as lithium and cobalt threatens to double metal prices.
- Gulf countries are positioned to become global recycling hubs, offering a solution to the impending crisis and aiding the transition to clean energy.
Business
GCC telecom firms turn to Europe, Asia for expansion
Wielding piles of cash and cutting-edge technology, many Arab telecom firms are scouting overseas markets to expand business beyond home...
- Lower valuations of international telecom companies are enticing GCC companies to venture into newer markets with a lot of potential for growth
- Many experts feel expansion will provide diversification of the portfolio beyond the GCC to mitigate risks associated with economic fluctuations