GCC telecom firms turn to Europe, Asia for expansion
Wielding piles of cash and cutting-edge technology, many Arab telecom firms are scouting overseas markets to expand business beyond home...
Business
Saudi football dominates Gulf sports scene this year
The Kingdom's football undergoes a historic transformation in 2023 with major investments and player signings, and Saudi Arabia wins the...
Arts & Culture
Interview
Covid-19 drives e-learning in GCC
There has been a massive growth in content creation and learners' demand in last two years as the pandemic puts...
- There has been a massive growth in content creation and learners' demand in last two years
- E-learning is highly dependent on digital infrastructures, such as Internet usage and connection fees, which vary dramatically from one Arab country to another
Research
Saudi biggest Arab economy, Sudan most indebted
The Saudi economy, as per IMF, is recovering "well" from the pandemic, estimating the kingdom's non-oil economy will grow by...
- COVID-19 increased the average debt in Arab countries to 81.8 percent of its GDP in 2020, up from 69.4 percent in 2019.
- Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the Arab world due to its small population.
Research
Saudi gold glitters more in the region
Gold prices reached record levels in 2020 following an increase in investor appetite because of COVID-19. The price of yellow...
- Gold jewelry shopping in Saudi Arabia and Egypt grows 13 percent and 4 percent and decreases 12 percent in the UAE
- China purchased 191.1 metric tons of gold in 2021, followed by India, which bought 102.5 metric tons
Business
Cloud adoption picks up pace in GCC region
The strong demand for cloud computing in the Gulf region is driven by efforts of the member states to diversify...
- The UAE leads the region in terms of cloud computing adoption and annual spending.
- The MENA region will be worth around $5 billion to cloud suppliers by 2022.
Analysis
Gulf aviation sector maintains regional lead
Several airports in the region have announced plans to expand their airports to meet the expected growth in travel demand.
- Experts see up to 40 percent rise in premiums in the next two to three years.
- The total number of passengers traveling through DXB in the first five months of 2021 was around 9.9 million.
Analysis
The Grand Renaissance Dam: Egypt’s Nile nemesis
Ethiopia's refusal to sign a binding agreement on the dam has dashed hopes of a settlement with Egypt and Sudan.
- Egypt's area under agriculture could lose by up to 72 percent in case of short filing of the dam.
- Ethiopia has said earlier treaties on Nile waters have undermined its rights and the dam will help in the country's development.
Economy
Bitcoin no threat to dollar, global economy
Despite being the future of money, Bitcoin cannot be the dollar of future because the US dollar is a fiat...
- Bitcoin cannot be the dollar of the future because the US dollar is a fiat currency, created and supported by the US government
- Cryptocurrencies vary from real currencies since they are issued by people and communities rather than governments, something that has never happened before in the history of money
Infographics
Iraqis saddest people in Arab region: Report
Political, economic and social crises in the Middle East countries has led to an implosion of negative emotions among their...
- Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia follow Iraq, according to Gallup World Poll.
- Research has revealed that emotions usually drive bad investment decisions.
Economy
Saudi, UAE lead MENA region in 5G deployment
The MENA region will have 80 million 5G subscriptions, representing about 10% of total mobile subscriptions by 2025, according to...
- The total number of Saudi Governorates covered by 5G coverage increased to 53 in Q1 2021
- The UAE ranks third internationally among countries with the fastest data download speeds in 5G networks, according to an analysis by “Opensignal”
Economy
Saudi non-oil revenues jump 206%
The non-oil revenues of Saudi Arabia have increased to US$31 billion in Q2 2021 as against US$10.1 billion in Q2...
- Saudi economy contracted by 7 percent in 2020 but grew by 1.5 percent in Q2 2021
- IMF expects Saudi real GDP to expand by 2.4 percent in 2021, following a contraction of 4.1 percent last year
GCC telecom firms turn to Europe, Asia for expansion
Wielding piles of cash and cutting-edge technology, many Arab telecom firms are scouting overseas markets to expand business beyond home...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Will extended oil production cuts stunt Saudi growth?
The decision to prolong oil output cuts may herald a significant reversal for the Kingdom's fast-growing economy as oil remain...
Economy
E-visas to drive tourism’s GDP share to 10%
Saudi Arabia is leveraging digital solutions to streamline travel, link tourists with local enterprises through apps, and enhance experiences via...
Economy
AI ‘disrupts economy’ but Middle East optimistic
The Boston Consulting Group survey found that 58 percent of Middle East employees, managers, and leaders believe that AI will...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
Office segment demand drives Saudi Arabia’s real estate boom
"The office sector shines brightest in the real estate market. Saudi Arabia's rapid economic growth drives the demand," Faisal Durrani,...
- Prime rents in Riyadh have risen by 19 percent in the last year, while in Jeddah, they have risen by about 9 percent
- The main demand centers for office space in the kingdom are Riyadh and Jeddah, and Dammam Metropolitan Area
Business
Adaptability, innovation crucial for success in Dubai’s competitive F&B industry
Commitment, market awareness, and adaptability are keys to success in Dubai's highly competitive F&B industry, says Deepti Chawla of Infiniti...
- Commitment, market awareness, and adaptability are keys to success in Dubai's highly competitive F&B industry, says Deepti Chawla, Founder of Infiniti Holdings & DCloud Kitchens
- The F&B sector in the UAE is expected to touch US$8.9-billion mark by 2025, with Dubai, which hosts more than 20,000 eateries, leading from the front, adds Chawla
Economy
MENA region trails in global race for gender parity
The Middle East and North Africa region scores only 62.6% in gender parity, and at the current pace, the region...
- The Middle East and North Africa region scores only 62.6% in gender parity, and at the current pace, the region will achieve full parity in 152 years, says a WEF report
- Solutions like Gender Parity Accelerators and DEI Lighthouse Program are being implemented, but the path to gender parity remains a challenging one, it adds