GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
Business
Saudi Arabia’s space economy reaches $8.7 billion in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) has said that the Saudi space economy reached $8.7...
Geostrategy
Ambitious agreements mark Saudi Crown Prince’s Qatar visit
Doha, Qatar – Following a landmark visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Qatar,...
- The two countries expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for a comprehensive and just resolution to the Palestinian question.
- Economic and trade discussions focused on enhancing economic partnerships, diversifying trade, and investing in opportunities within the framework of their transformative visions.
Economy
Saudi Arabia expects budget deficits in 2023 and 2024 as spending rises
The announcement comes one year after the Gulf kingdom, the world's biggest crude exporter and the Middle East's largest economy,...
- The deficit for 2023 is expected to amount to 82 billion Saudi riyals (roughly $21.8 billion), while in 2024 it is expected to total 79 billion Saudi riyals (roughly $21 billion)
- The projections broadly align with a pre-budget statement issued in October that indicated deficits would last through 2026.
Business
People-positive approach needed in clean power transition: WEF paper
Dubai, UAE -- Building massive infrastructure for clean power projects in pursuit of climate goals will need nearly $4.5 trillion in...
- The white paper calls for a dialogue between the industry and community groups and NGOs to define common standards for a people-positive energy transition.
- It also urges governments to not only focus on the lowest price but also the wider societal value creation in their transition plans.
Business
Mubadala invests in Zenobē
The investment is aimed at powering 4,000 electric vehicles.
- The collective investment aims to power 4,000 electric buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles, contributing to the global transition to cleaner transportation by 2026.
- London-based Zenobē, established in 2017, specializes in electric vehicle (EV) fleet solutions and large-scale battery storage.
Business
Riyad Bank Saudi PMI down to 57.5 points in November
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI), formerly S&P Global Saudi Arabia PMI,...
- The index continued to signal a rapid expansion in the non-oil private sector in November,
- Higher raw material prices led to a continuous increase in corporate sales prices, but demand remained strong.
COP28 UAE
$272 billion sustainable finance pledge by UAE financial sector at COP28
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The financial sector of the United Arab Emirates commits to mobilizing more than AED 1 trillion...
- The commitment to mobilize AED 1 trillion was made by the UAE Banks Federation at an event held on Finance Day at COP28.
- Financial sector's engagement is critical to realize our collective climate ambitions, ensuring that the 1.5°C target remains within reach, said COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber.
Business
Masdar, Taaleri acquire 8 energy projects
The hybrid renewable energy projects in Poland have 1Gw capacity.
- Masdar and Taaleria have purchased the projects from Domrel Biuro Usług Inwestycyjnych, a prominent player in Poland's renewable energy sector.
- These projects incorporate solar photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind technologies and are projected to power approximately 223,000 households.
Business
ADNOC-Tabreed G2COOl opens
G2COOL is the first geothermal energy cooling plant in the Gulf region.
- The G2COOL plant produces naturally occurring hot water found underground through two geothermal wells.
- The hot water is fed into absorption cooling technology to produce the chilled water needed by Tabreed for its district cooling activities.
Business
Masdar, PLN push to build world’s largest floating solar plant
Dubai, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has signed agreements to collaborate with Indonesia’s state-owned utility company, PLN,...
- The partnership has already resulted in the launch of Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar power plant, the innovative 145-megawatt (MWac) (192MW peak) Cirata project.
- In September, Masdar and PLN signed an agreement to develop Phase II of the Cirata plant to triple capacity by up to 500MW.
Business
WhatsApp update allows posting status updates via Instagram
Washington, United States -- The instant messaging platform WhatsApp launched a new update that includes an optional feature that allows...
- This feature will be available in a future update to the application through its beta program within the Google Play Store.
- WhatsApp is also working on an improved posting feature to make it compatible with Instagram, scheduled for a future release, QNA reported.
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
GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
Business
Company News
5 WEF reports shaping your 2024 agenda
Geostrategy
Latest News
ESG buys 60% stake in AFKAR
Business
IsDBI begins building digital marketplace for Islamic finance
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has kicked off the development of the Islamic Finance Knowledge...
Business
Makeen, Rolls-Royce forge partnership
They will manufacture, test, sell and service mtu engines in Saudi.
Business
Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade surplus $4.58 billion in Nov 2023
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus...
Business
Most Read
Geostrategy
5 WEF reports shaping your 2024 agenda
From AI to the future of jobs and slow climb to gender parity, WEF reports provide insights into some of...
- Buffeted by a global energy crisis, inflationary pressures and geopolitical instability, the move to clean energy has faced a challenging time.
- This year's top 10 emerging technologies will likely become increasingly familiar in the years ahead as they help tackle some of our biggest challenges.
Business
Saudi AZM gets independent director
Omar bin Fahd Al-Sunaidi's term will extend until Jun 2026.
- The decision was made at the firm’s Fourth Ordinary General Assembly meeting.
- The assembly concluded with the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as the auditor for the Company's 2024 fiscal year.
Business
QatarEnergy, Shell sign agreement
QatarEnergy will supply 18m barrels of crude oil per year to Shell.
- QatarEnergy and Shell have a long-standing strategic partnership through several shared investments in the energy industry in Qatar and globally.
- "We look forward to building on our historic relationship and hope we achieve greater success with Shell," said Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, CEO QatarEnergy