Supply chain challenges hit Ramadan retail rush
Logistical adaptations, strategic planning, and forecasting essential for addressing the unique demands of increased consumption during Ramadan, says Aramex's Tarek...
Business
Digital innovation spurs gender parity in Middle East
Technology, from digital platforms to AI, offers a transformative avenue for empowering women, says Isabel Neiva of Kearney Middle East...
Business
Business
UAE, Saudi firms eye global acquisitions worth $20bn
Companies like ADNOC, Saudi sovereign fund, and Niu are making significant strides as the two Gulf countries seek to diversify...
- Companies like ADNOC, Saudi sovereign fund, and Niu are making significant strides as the two Gulf countries seek to diversify their economies and capitalize on high oil prices
- "M&A surge in the Middle East fueled by private equity and sovereign wealth funds, and backed by liquidity and reforms, is giving wings to region's transformative aspirations
Business
Tech-driven sustainability focus of banks
Financial institutions in the Gulf region are also focusing on sustainable practices like renewable energy investments, reducing their carbon footprint,...
- Through digitalization, collaboration with fintech companies, and responsible banking practices, banks are leading the charge in sustainable development in the region, say experts
- Gulf banks are also focusing on sustainable practices like renewable energy investments, reducing their carbon footprint, and supporting sustainable businesses, they add
Geostrategy
Resumption of Saudi-Iran relations: A step towards regional, economic stability or a strategic play?
The peace deal has ignited debates on its potential to transform Middle East from a region hit by conflicts to...
- The bilateral peace agreement has sparked intensified debates about its potential to transform the Middle East from a conflict-ridden region to peaceful and prosperous place
- Despite government-level reconciliation, Saudi-Iran ties face early-stage challenges, including Iranian aggression, and businesses in both countries risk political uncertainties
Geostrategy
Resumption of Saudi-Iran relations: A step towards regional, economic stability or a strategic play?
The bilateral peace agreement has sparked intensified debates about its potential to transform the Middle East from a conflict-ridden region...
- The bilateral peace agreement has sparked intensified debates about its potential to transform the Middle East from a conflict-ridden region to peaceful and prosperous place
- Despite government-level reconciliation, Saudi-Iran ties face early-stage challenges, including Iranian aggression, and businesses in both countries risk political uncertainties
Business
Expo 2030: All eyes on Riyadh as it makes a big pitch
With ongoing mega-projects and economic diversification, Riyadh's strong Expo 2030 candidacy has already garnered support from 90 of 170 member...
- With ongoing mega-projects and economic diversification, Riyadh's strong Expo 2030 candidacy has already garnered support from 90 of 170 member states
- Aiming to surpass Expo 2020 Dubai's visitor count, the Kingdom anticipates more than 40 million on-site and a billion virtual Metaverse visits during the event
Business
Saudi healthcare needs 175,000 professionals by 2030
The Kingdom is modernizing healthcare with national e-health initiatives, integrated plans for virtual and remote healthcare, and the implementation of...
- The Kingdom is modernizing healthcare with national e-health initiatives, integrated plans for virtual and remote healthcare, and implementation of AI at service provider levels
- The Saudi government is also investing in training and recruiting healthcare professionals, encouraging Saudi students to pursue medical and healthcare-related education
Business
Gulf telecom shows robust growth, eyes new avenues
Driven by expats and national development programs, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to experience growth in consumer and...
- Driven by expats and national development programs, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to experience growth in consumer and enterprise segments, say experts
- Telecom operators in the region are diversifying into fintech, gaming, healthcare, cybersecurity, cloud, IoT, and emerging tech, driving digital transformations across sectors
Economy
Diversification, global investment key to UAE’s growth
The Gulf nation is strategically establishing comprehensive economic partnerships with various countries in bid to diversify its economy and encourage...
- The Gulf nation is strategically establishing comprehensive economic partnerships with various countries in bid to diversify its economy and encourage global investments
- As of June 2023, the UAE has entered into five such agreements, notably with Israel, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Cambodia, with plans to sign three more in the first phase
Interview
Rate rise boosts Gulf banks amid crisis
Despite global economic challenges such as the crisis, inflation, and high interest rates, the GCC banking sector has shown impressive...
- Despite crises in US and Europe, the GCC banking sector has shown significant growth, aided by rate hikes and digitalization, says Commercial Bank of Kuwait CEO Elham Mahfouz
- Kuwait's banking industry recorded a 37% profit increase in 2022, and is making strides in adopting AI and supporting sustainability initiatives, she tells TRENDS in an interview
Business
Gulf banks witness continued growth in lending activities
The first quarter of 2023 experienced a surge in credit demand, except for a slight dip in Qatar. The latest...
- GCC banks witness a 3.2% increase in aggregate gross loans, reaching a record of $1.87 trillion, while NPL ratios improve, with the average ratio decreasing to 2.3%
- Due to the expansion of the banking business and government support, the UAE has the highest NPL ratio, while Saudi Arabian banks exhibit the highest q-o-q growth
Supply chain challenges hit Ramadan retail rush
Logistical adaptations, strategic planning, and forecasting essential for addressing the unique demands of increased consumption during Ramadan, says Aramex's Tarek...
Business
Company News
Q3 corporate earnings show mixed results in GCC
Market Report
Latest News
Cloud security challenges haunt firms in UAE and KSA
Rapid cloud adoption in the two GCC countries is accompanied by increased security risks, leading to costly data breaches, reveals...
Localization in focus as KSA raises military spending
Saudi Arabia's 2024 budget hikes military spending to $71 billion for industry localization and modernization, targeting 50% equipment spending localization...
Economy
GCC equity markets record first gain in four months
The GCC equity market index rebounded notably in November 2023, with the MSCI GCC index rising 5.2%, led by Qatar...
Business
Most Read
Business
Defying global trend, UAE leads Middle East IPO surge
The region's IPO momentum is driven by strong performances from entities like Dubai Taxi Company and a significant announcement from...
- The region's IPO momentum is driven by strong performances from entities like Dubai Taxi Company and a significant announcement from Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector.
- Despite a 54 percent annual decrease, Middle East IPOs raise $8.4 billion in 2023, as the MSCI Gulf States Index climbs 8 percent, defying global economic downturns.
Business
Fintech fuels growth in Islamic finance sector
Islamic banking, making up 70% of the Islamic finance market's assets, is undergoing a transformative phase, fueled by fintech innovations...
- Islamic banking, making up 70% of the Islamic finance market's assets, is undergoing a transformative phase, fueled by fintech innovations and poised to hit $4 trillion by 2026
- The UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of the Islamic fintech revolution, setting new digital standards and driving the sector's global expansion, says a latest report
Business
GCC banks navigate rising rates with record lending
Despite global credit risks, GCC banks thrive with overall lending growth, bolstered by strong performances in Saudi Arabia and the...
- Despite global credit risks, GCC banks thrive with overall lending growth, bolstered by strong performances in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and robust economic indicators.
- GCC-listed banks hit a new record with aggregate gross loans reaching US$1.95 trillion by Q3-2023, as strong manufacturing and project awards boost market scenario.