UAE, KSA lead as tech and energy drive IPOs in GCC
The 2024 outlook for GCC IPO markets shows strong potential with diversified sector participation, bolstered by government support for both...
Market Report
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
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
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UAE, KSA lead as tech and energy drive IPOs in GCC
The 2024 outlook for GCC IPO markets shows strong potential with diversified sector participation, bolstered by government support for both...
Market Report
Company News
Latest News
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...
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...
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...
Economy
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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.
Business
Dubai leads as GCC real estate transactions soar in H1
Gulf real estate hit $90.7 billion in the first half of 2023, a 9.9% rise y-o-y, as Dubai led the...
- Gulf real estate hit $90.7 billion in the first half of 2023, a 9.9% rise y-o-y, as Dubai leads the market with a 57 percent increase, fueled by demand for luxury properties
- Residential prices in Dubai surge 11.7% in the Q2 of 2023, while Abu Dhabi's growth stays muted. Dubai's rents jump 32.6% y-o-y, while other markets see slight rise