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...
Economy
Dubai leads way as GCC markets show mixed results
Amid market volatility influenced by geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices, pharma, insurance, and healthcare indices led with substantial gains...
Business
Interview
Fintech fuels MENA startup scene
It is vital for the economic development of the Middle East by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and creating large-scale employment opportunities...
- According to a recent Forbes report, there are at least 2,800 FinTech startups in the Middle East and Africa
- In Saudi Arabia, startup funding topped US$168 million in the first half of 2021, 65% more than it did in H1 2020
Interview
E-commerce leads change in Mideast retail, fashion
"During the pandemic, e-commerce grew in popularity since it was the most viable — or only — choice at the...
- The emphasis on value fashion is a structural shift that is part of the new normal
- Building a hyper-convenient service ecosystem can significantly increase reach and profitability
Business
Where does Saudi Arabia’s PIF invest most?
The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund is critical to its economic goals as it channels returns from foreign investments into non-oil...
- The Saudi Public Investment Fund raised its US-listed stock holdings to $43.4 billion in 2021 Q3.
- The PIF is one of Lucid's most notable investors, owning approximately 62.7 percent of the company's shares.
Analysis
Luxury brands burning products is a problem
High fashion can be detrimental to the environment because of its large carbon footprint.
- To keep their uniqueness, high-end fashion brands routinely burn unsold products
- Fashion contributes up to 8 percent of the global carbon footprint
Interview
High packages may help GCC in talent hunt
Global employment, which was severely affected by the pandemic, is beginning to rebound as economies reopen. The UAE, which was...
- There is a growing competition for the local talent also, necessitating re-evaluation of salary packages.
- Working from home is here to stay, and many candidates are increasingly asking about this flexibility.
Economy
Kuwaitis complain about rising prices, high inflation
Growing costs and a drop in purchasing power are seen as deterioration of the standard of living Kuwaitis have been...
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) attributed Kuwait's high inflation rate in 2021 to sharp rises in food prices and the cost of travel-related services.
- The IMF expected that inflation would reach 3.2 percent by the end of this year and then stabilize at 3 percent in the medium run.
Analysis
Value via sustainability gives firms an edge
A sustainability-focused company strategy boosts brand value and efficiency, matches customer demands, attracts top personnel, and opens new doors.
- A McKinsey Global Survey reveals that organizations can become sustainable simply by adopting a set of management strategies
- As per the respondents, organizations are now also likelier to prioritize sustainability and define specific goals and objectives
Analysis
Zero-carbon not the end of oil and gas
Some people conflate the target of zero carbon emissions with the notion that the era of oil, gas, coal, and...
- Carbon emission targets are sometimes misunderstood with the end of oil, gas, and coal
- Oil and gas are still the primary drivers of the global economy, and will continue to be so for decades
Interview
What are the most recent retail trends?
With the retail sector rebounding in the UAE, Cyrille Fabre, a partner and director with the Middle East arm of...
- Retailers are thriving in the areas of omnichannel and customer experience.
- Unlike carbon-intensive industries, retail can easily achieve sustainability
Economy
Urban management can benefit from blockchain
Blockchain may be able to solve quite a few of the problems in the planning and implementation of a smart...
- While smart cities are a key trend, today's hurdle is high competition and complex device integration
- Blockchain technology may be able to take care of not only these but also security and other issues
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...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Saudi Arabia turns to maritime to diversify revenues
Saudi Aramco's King Salman Complex, set to be the largest marine industry hub in the Middle East, is expected to...
Economy
Eastward shift: GCC builds strategic ties with ASEAN
Trade between GCC and ASEAN doubles, marking a new economic collaboration era as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and UAE enhance...
Geostrategy
Flying taxis: Saudi Arabia stares at sustainable skies
NEOM, the Kingdom's futuristic city, hosts Volocopter's pioneering eVTOL aircraft test flights, marking a substantial stride towards sustainable, smart mobility.
Business
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Business
Arab SWFs accelerate dealmaking amid scarce funding
Joint investments by sovereign funds hit a record $17.2 billion in H1 this year as Gulf states fund global equity...
- Joint investments by sovereign funds hit a record $17.2 billion in H1 this year as Gulf states fund global equity firms, including KKR & Co., EQT AB, and Brookfield
- Middle Eastern investors, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Company, are planning to invest billions in high-profile acquisitions
Economy
Gulf economies pivot towards China: Multi-billion dollar investments strengthen relations
Economic ties between China and the Gulf region's largest economies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have surged since President Xi...
- The value of Gulf companies' acquisitions and investments in China this year increased by more than 1,000 percent yearly to $5.3 billion
- Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, the "Mubadala Investment Company," is expanding its operations in China to attract investments
Economy
Travel companies give wings to Saudi tourism aspirations
Fueling this ambition is an intricate web of travel companies, including tour operators, airlines, accommodation providers, cruise lines, and destination...
- The Kingdom, aiming to draw 100 million yearly visitors by 2030, is planning to invest over US$1 trillion in tourism over the next decade
- Travel companies play a key role in promoting Saudi tourism, developing packages, and collaborating with public sector entities