Reason for the GCC’s prosperity is that it is willing to take risks: Tadeu Baldani Caravieri
The Gulf economies face disruptions but embrace risk to grow, says Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, founder of Prototypes for Humanity, on...
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports rise 8 percent to $19.34bn in Jan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports increased 8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 72.6 billion ($19.34 billion) in...
Business
Saudi consumer spending up 4 percent in October: SAMA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia increased 4 percent to SAR 110 billion ($29.32 billion) in October,...
- Consumer spending includes total cash withdrawals, point-of-sale (POS) transactions and e-commerce sales through "Mada", Argaam reported.
- Cash withdrawals from ATMs declined by almost 3 percent YoY to roughly SAR 45.5 billion in October.
Business
FAB becomes first MENA bank to publish TCFD climate report
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) became the first MENA bank to publish a Task Force for...
- The TCFD standard, promoted by the Financial Stability Board since 2015, urges entities to specify the resilience of their strategies to climate-related risks.
- The report delivers on FAB’s 2019 commitment to agree to adopt TCFD recommendations into its reporting and disclosure processes.
Business
Abha Valley has potential to be a tourist destination
ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA - Extending over 34 kilometers, the Abha Valley Basin enjoys a variety of wildlife aspects, civilizational features...
- The Abha Valley abounds in environmental diversity, which explains its array of mountain plants.
- The rugged areas of the highest point of the valley form the right habitat for the Arab tiger,
Business
Egypt jumps to third place in Offshore BPO Confidence Index
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt's global prominence received a boost as it jumped from 11th to third place in the 2023...
- Egypt's BPO industry demonstrated steady growth, with digital exports increasing from $4.5 billion in 2022 to $4.9 billion in 2023.
- The country targets doubling export revenue to $9 billion by 2026, creating over 200,000 direct job opportunities.
Business
Saudi PIF secures $5 billion financing in collaboration with K-SURE
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) have announced the signing of...
- The collaboration stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2022 between PIF and K-SURE.
- The transaction will mark PIF’s first financing covered by an export credit agency, as it continues to diversify its sources of funding.
Business
Abu Dhabi’s financial sector surges 30% in Q2, non-oil growth 12%
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The financial sector in the UAE has experienced a surge of 30 percent in the second...
- Non-oil sectors now constitute nearly 54 percent of the total GDP, according to Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman ADDED.
- Non-oil foreign merchandise trade expanded by 13 percent by the end of the third quarter.
Business
Beltone 9M net profit at $2.7m
In 9M, the firm's restructuring led to a turnaround.
- Operating revenue in 9M 2023 increased to US$30 million, a growth of 271 percent Year-on-Year.
- The NBFIs operating revenue recorded US$15 million in 9M2023, a growth of 680 percent YoY.
Arts & Culture
Villa, Maldini visit Jeddah to promote FIFA Club World Cup 2023
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- Football stars David Villa and Paolo Maldini visited Jeddah today to promote the 2023 FIFA Club...
- The two stars met with football fans at the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia official pre-tournament roadshow on Jeddah Corniche.
- The roadshow aims to boost fan engagement leading up to the tournament through an array of fun activities.
Business
Chinese tourism bookings to Saudi surge 277% after mega promotional campaign
Shanghai, China -- In a bid to attract Chinese tourists, the Saudi Tourism Authority recently concluded its first, and the...
- Saudi Market Festival, a celebration of heritage, culture and nature, held at the iconic Bund Waterfront in Shanghai drew a crowd of over 80,000.
- The impact of the campaign has been substantial, with over 500 million Chinese reached, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Business
JABEEN signs contracts with Retal, Abyatna
The firms will build primary and secondary infrastructure works.
- Under the contract, a total of 897 residential units will be built in the Jubail industrial city.
- The $319 million contract, which was awarded on Nov. 26, 2023, extends for 40 months, starting on the date of the land handover from JABEEN to Retal.
Reason for the GCC’s prosperity is that it is willing to take risks: Tadeu Baldani Caravieri
The Gulf economies face disruptions but embrace risk to grow, says Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, founder of Prototypes for Humanity, on...
Economy
Company News
ESG buys 60% stake in AFKAR
Business
Latest News
From climate action to global aid: Inside UAE’s remarkable year
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE is bidding farewell to 2023, dubbed the ‘Year of Sustainability'. From hosting the relatively...
YEARBOOK 2023
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...
Geostrategy
Saudi AZM gets independent director
Omar bin Fahd Al-Sunaidi's term will extend until Jun 2026.
Business

Most Read
Geostrategy
Palestinian Monetary Authority condemns Israeli raids on exchange firms
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories -- The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) said Thursday that the Israeli occupation army’s storming of six exchange...
- The occupation forces raided six exchange companies in different cities in the West Bank, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
- They also arrested several of their owners and seized money from their safes after blowing them open.
Business
ESG buys 60% stake in AFKAR
Emirates Stallions Group is an IHC subsidiary.
- AFKAR has been active in various sectors including commercial enterprise investment, institution and management.
- AFKAR has recorded a 13 percent increase in assets and a 10 percent rise in revenue during the past 3 years, underpinned by a workforce of over 600 employees.
Business
AD Ports, RSPA to develop and operate terminal in Egypt’s Safaga Port
Cairo, Egypt -- AD Ports Group (AD Ports) has signed a concession agreement with the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA)...
- The Safaga Port definitive agreement, sanctioned under the Law on the Granting of Commitment Contract issued on 1st November 2023, will see an investment of US$200 million.
- The terminal, spanning approximately 810,000 square meters, will feature a 1,000-metre quay wall and will handle diverse cargo types.

