Foreign investors retreat from GCC markets in Q4
Regional market trends, IPOs, geopolitical issues and crude oil prices affected the flow of foreign money in the region, said...
Business
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
Saudi Arabia expands economic diversification plan
The Kingdom is making significant investments in new economic sectors, including mining, tourism, and information technology, particularly the electronic games...
- The Kingdom is making significant investments in new economic sectors, including mining, tourism, and information technology, particularly the e-game sector
- Saudi Arabia, which is seeking alternatives to crude oil revenues, is planning to invest US$37.8 billion in electronic gaming initiatives and programs through PIF
Business
SVB crash may hit GCC investments in US tech firms
Saudi Arabia and US tech firms have numerous partnerships and investments, with the PIF investing over US$7bn in American companies...
- Saudi Arabia and US technology firms have numerous partnerships and investments, with the PIF investing over US$7bn in American companies and banks, with key focus on tech sector
- Middle East startups, however, have become resilient and resistant to setbacks, with a well-established network of startup incubators in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama, and Doha
Reforms help UAE, KSA lead M&A activities in MENA
Local deals account for 51% of total M&A volume with technology sector at 25% as improved market conditions and pro-business...
- Local deals account for 51% of total M&A volume with technology sector at 25% as improved market conditions and pro-business reforms boost investor confidence in the region
- Rise in oil prices over the past six years, pro-business legislative reforms, and relaxation of government travel restrictions were some other reasons behind strong M&A activities
Business
GCC banks face minimal impact of US banking crisis
The impact of SVB failure on regional banks and corporates may remain limited due to the diversity of Gulf investment...
- The impact of SVB failure on regional banks and corporates may remain limited due to the diversity of Gulf investment portfolios, Junaid Ansari of Kamco Invest tells TRENDS
- The decline in regional indices reflects shaken investor sentiment in global markets, the volatility of interbank rates and uncertainty related to bankruptcy crisis, he adds
GCC insurance sector growth may slow down this year
The expansion of infrastructure investment and medical insurance coverage will continue to drive premiums in 2023, albeit at a slower...
- The expansion of infrastructure investment and medical insurance coverage will continue to drive premiums in 2023, albeit at a slower pace than in 2022, reports suggest
- Strong premium growth, relatively modest earnings, and high costs to meet new accounting standards and other regulatory demands will erode capital and solvency buffers
Interview
Unequal pay checks plague GCC workplaces
Businesses in the region need to embed diversity strategies by setting diversity KPIs to ensure fair assessments for women and...
- Reinforcing supportive workplace culture is crucial for MENA employers to effectively attract, recruit and retain talented young women, PwC Middle East’s Norma Taki tells TRENDS
- To make sustainable progress toward gender equality in the MENA region, businesses should embed diversity strategies aimed at ensuring fair assessments for women, she adds
Business
AI, ML make banks in MENA region smarter and faster
The artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of region's financial services, Tarabut Gateway...
- The artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of region's financial services, Tarabut Gateway CCO Adnan Erriade tells TRENDS
- Every stakeholder in the financial ecosystem stands to gain from open banking, but end customer remains the biggest beneficiary, adds Erriade in an interview
Business
Despite hurdles, women entrepreneurs thrive in MENA tech sector
As the governments and private organizations in the region are taking measures to encourage and support women entrepreneurs in the...
- A UNESCO study found that 57 percent of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics graduates in Arab nations are women
- Another study revealed that 34 percent of the region's tech-focused start-ups have been founded by women
Economy
Proactive govt policies, high rates, slow global growth to lower impact of inflation in Gulf region
The GCC countries are likely to benefit from the relative stability in their financial covers due to high oil prices...
- The GCC countries are likely to benefit from the relative stability in their financial covers due to high oil prices and strong energy exports in 2022, reports suggest
- Inflation in the GCC averaged at around 4 percent mark and showed a downward trend for most countries in the region during the second half of 2022, they add
Analysis
Gulf boardrooms lag in gender diversity
The Middle East has made significant progress in advancing gender diversity in the workplace through measures such as generous parental...
- While more companies are paying closer attention to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues in the region, only 8% of seats in Saudi Arabia and 17% in UAE went to women last year
- However, there's progress in enabling gender diversity in Middle East such as generous parental leave policies and flexible working arrangements for reintegration after long breaks
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Foreign investors retreat from GCC markets in Q4
Regional market trends, IPOs, geopolitical issues and crude oil prices affected the flow of foreign money in the region, said...
Business
Company News
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Q3 corporate earnings show mixed results in GCC
While the energy and commodity sectors faced declines due to falling prices, the banking and telecom sectors demonstrated remarkable resilience,...
Market Report
Global food-security crisis nudges GCC to look inward
Billions of dollars are being invested into ventures to grow food in the GCC to make the arid, hot region...
Geostrategy
Conflict hits regional gas supply and infrastructure
The Israel-Hamas conflict has halted gas production at the Tamar plant, significantly impacting the region's infrastructure and disrupting Israel's gas...
Business
Most Read
Economy
Rising temperatures worry MENA region
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces severe climate change challenges, including water scarcity and extreme temperatures, with...
- With diverse strategies from GCC to non-GCC nations, the battle against climate change underscores a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
- In the MENA region, resource-rich GCC countries are better equipped to tackle climate change challenges that threaten food security, water resources, and biodiversity.
Economy
MENA’s $2trn construction boom boosts sustainability
With innovative technologies and a focus on reducing emissions, this transformation could position the region as a global leader in...
- With innovative technologies and a focus on reducing emissions, this transformation could position the region as a global leader in sustainable urban development.
- The region sees a unique chance to pioneer sustainable technologies, potentially reducing lifecycle emissions by 50-60%, highlights Strategy& Middle East and Dar.
Economy
Gaza conflict casts shadow on Israel’s gas industry
War with Palestinians disrupts Israel's gas exports, causing economic losses and altering energy strategies.
- The accounting and consulting firm BDO Israel estimated the economic losses of the closure of the Tamar field at about US$ 201 million a month
- The gas field supplied 8.7 billion cubic meters of gas to the Israeli market in 2022 while exporting another 1.57 billion cubic meters to Egypt and Jordan