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
Gulf nations transition from oil to solar powerhouses
The Gulf region is embracing the future of energy by investing in polysilicon production, crucial for solar panel manufacturing, with...
Economy
Business
Demand drives up customized car markets
Popular car customizations include color changes, custom rims and tires, body kit installations, modified exhaust systems for a more aggressive...
- The affluent population's desire for luxury, distinction and personalized automotive experiences help the sector flourish in the Gulf region despite the global challenges
- Luxury-seeking individuals craving one-of-a-kind vehicles on the road generally go for vibrant color changes, custom rims, sleek body kits and immersive audio systems
Business
Dubai luxury realty market at new heights
The emirate's luxury home sales surged to $1.63 billion in Q1 2023, as affluent buyers acquired 88 units exceeding $10...
- A plot of land on Dubai's prestigious Jumeirah Bay Island has been sold for an astounding $34 million, setting a new record in the UAE's real estate market
- Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Bay Island are prime residential neighborhoods in Dubai, the world's fourth-most active luxury residential market
Geostrategy
GCC-China economic relations move beyond oil trade
China aims to play a more central role in the Gulf region, focusing on investment opportunities beyond the oil and...
- China aims to play a more central role in the Gulf region, focusing on investment opportunities beyond the oil and energy relationship
- Brokering talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran highlights China's ambition to challenge the US dollar's hegemony in the Gulf region
Economy
GCC project awards surge despite economic challenges
Saudi Arabia remains the largest projects market in the GCC as the total value of contracts awarded increases by 54.7...
- Saudi Arabia remains the largest projects market in the GCC as the total value of contracts awarded increases by 54.7 percent YoY during Q1-2023 to US$29.9bn, says a latest report
- The GCC's construction sector is set to take the lion's share of project awards in 2023, even as water, petrochemical, and power sectors may also perform well, adds the report
Business
Top car brands adopt sustainable mobility
Sustainable mobility necessitates taking into account the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, not just the use phase. This includes sustainable...
- Bentley, BMW, Porsche, and Audi lead the way in sustainability by introducing environment-friendly vehicles, aiming to cut CO2 emissions and be sustainable luxury brands by 2030
- BMW Group, for example, aspires to be the world's most sustainable premium car manufacturer by utilizing circular economy principles and secondary materials, says an official
Business
Dubai real estate sector strengthens on investors’ confidence
The present market conditions indicate that investing in real estate assets, especially in beachfront destinations, is opportune. These destinations are...
- Despite global crises, the emirate's thriving market, dynamic economy, favorable government policies, and robust infrastructure entice both local and international investors
- Beachfront destinations are expected to drive significant growth in the sector as the UAE's real estate serves as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven investment
Business
GCC beats the heat with innovations, technologies
Gulf nations make significant strides in battling scorching summer by implementing groundbreaking technologies to create cooler and more comfortable urban...
- Gulf nations make significant strides in battling scorching summer by implementing groundbreaking technologies to create cooler and more comfortable urban environments
- From Saudi Arabia's "road cooling" experiment to Qatar's air-conditioned pedestrian paths and blue-painted streets, these nations are at the forefront of innovative solutions
Economy
GCC countries take steps to close gender pay gap
TRENDS Twitter poll suggests 48% candidates face discrimination during job recruitment process in the Gulf region, while 30% do not,...
- Recent updates to labor laws in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain aim to bridge the gender pay gap and address discriminatory practices
- These updates include prohibiting discrimination between male and female employees who perform the same job and introducing paternity leave in the UAE
Business
Digital platforms are transforming the way GCC countries attract investments
Since the beginning of 2023 alone, three digital and physical platforms have been launched by Qatar, Oman and Kuwait to...
- The Qatar Investment Promotion Agency launched the latest Gulf investment platform on April 4, 2023
- The most prominent investment platform in the UAE is "Invest in Dubai", launched in February 2021
Economy
Dubai faces tough fight as GCC nations compete for tourists on digital, social media platforms
The emirate still remains at the top of the list of places to visit in the region because of the...
- Several Arab Gulf countries are ambitiously trying to turn themselves into major tourist destinations, and some have already had considerable success
- Dubai still remains at the top of the list of places to visit in the region because of the sheer diversity of products it has to offer and the infrastructure it has built
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
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
Company News
Latest News
COP28 initiatives to narrow climate finance disparity
Antoine Samaha of BCG applauds the launch of a Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries, emphasizing the need for...
COP28 UAE
Clean energy sees marked investment rise since 2020
With a 40% increase in clean energy investments since 2020 and a focus on innovative policies, the global community is...
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...
Most Read
Business
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...
- The GCC equity market index rebounded notably in November 2023, with the MSCI GCC index rising 5.2%, led by Qatar and closely followed by Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
- This resurgence is a positive sign for the region's markets, which are showing robust growth and diversification efforts, particularly in sectors like Pharma & Biotech.
Economy
Is 2030 the finish line for the Gulf Railway Project?
The Gulf Railway aiming for completion by 2030, will link GCC nations with a comprehensive rail network, marking a new...
- The Gulf Railway aiming for completion by 2030, is set to link GCC nations with a comprehensive rail network, marking a new era in regional transportation and economic integration.
- Saudi Arabia's railway expansion, an integral part of the Gulf Railway Project, boosts GCC connectivity and trade, with parallel progress in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
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.