Iran says US is not serious about negotiations as Gulf tensions rise
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye join Tehran talks; Gulf shipping risks mount; Houthi attacks heighten Saudi security concerns; oil prices...
Geostrategy
Interview
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
- The Middle East is unique because its hotel landscape is expanding faster than anywhere else globally, but its technology knowledge infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
- This region is open to new platforms, new operating models, and rapid digital adoption, making it ideal for building a category-defining ecosystem.
Geostrategy
WEF flags geoeconomic confrontation as top global risk for 2026
Experts warn economic warfare, misinformation and unchecked AI could amplify global shocks as cooperation weakens across political and trade blocs.
- Half of global leaders surveyed expect worsening instability within two years, while only 10% foresee stability.
- Environmental risks remain the most severe long-term threat despite slipping in near-term priority rankings.
Interview
GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have...
- Sustainable travel is a major opportunity for the Middle East and the GCC. Authenticity, culture, and history should be central.
- Making travel more affordable and accessible will be equally important for long-term growth.
Economy
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...
- The region’s prosperity is linked to its willingness to experiment and take calculated risks, with cities like Dubai leading in financial innovation, Caravieri tells TRENDS
- Innovation relies on strong local institutions, including government policies, and the ability to produce scalable solutions, with capital as a critical enabler, he adds
Business
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,...
- Overall, the GCC IPO market raised $13.2 billion across 53 listings in 2024.
- The UAE led the charge. Federal decree changes and a flurry of free-zone and mainland measures now allow 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors.
Business
Trump Organization inks deal to build a golf course and villas in Doha
Doha, Qatar -- The Trump Organization signed on Wednesday its first development deal in Qatar to build a golf course...
- Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and the US president's son, attended the signing ceremony with Qatari Diar and Dar Global.
- The 18-hole Trump International Golf Course and Trump Villas are to be constructed as part of a major government-backed development scheme, Simaisma Project.
Business
Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
Even if they don't all acknowledge it so openly, firms in many different sectors are stockpiling their products in the United...
- Whether it's the luxury, electronics or pharmaceutical sectors, US President Donald Trump's unpredictability complicates the calculations of firms.
- Some companies didn't wait for Trump's April 2 announcement of massive "reciprocal" trade tariffs: they had already begun shipping more of their goods to the United States.
Business
ATM 2025 to showcase 2,800 firms, 17 percent from Middle East
Dubai, UAE: The Arabian Travel Market, which will take place from Apr 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World...
- The event has achieved a near 12 percent year-on-year increase in exhibitor participation, making it the largest edition to date, now spanning 14 halls.
- The 32nd edition of ATM will focus on the theme: “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”.
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...
- Merchandise imports fell by 8 percent, or nearly SAR 6.4 billion, month-on-month (MoM).
- Saudi Ar.abia’s imports came mainly from China in January 2025, at SAR 19.2 billion (26 percent) of the total.
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...
- The Saudi space market is projected to reach $5.6 billion by 2035, supported by space technologies, while the global space market reached $176 billion in 2024.
- The size of the space market reached $1.9 billion, according to the KSA Space Market 2025 report. Saudi space economy is expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2035.
Iran says US is not serious about negotiations as Gulf tensions rise
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye join Tehran talks; Gulf shipping risks mount; Houthi attacks heighten Saudi security concerns; oil prices...
Geostrategy
Company News
du 9M profit up 10.8%
Business
Latest News
Financial frauds cost global economy over $442bn in 2025: INTERPOL
AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. “Agentic AI” systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud...
Geostrategy
IHC shareholders approve share buyback of up to $1.36 billion
The proposed buyback represents about 0.6% of the company’s total shares. The board of directors has been authorized to take...
Business
Flynas posts 2025 loss despite revenue growth, Q4 profit rebound
Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier flynas posted a net loss of SAR 527 million in 2025, compared with a net profit...
Business
Most Read
Economy
Saudi knowledge economy accelerates as Vision 2030 targets move within reach
The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and...
- Saudi Arabia’s digital economy is valued at $132 billion, accounting for 15 percent of GDP.
- The government has invested more than $20.7 billion in AI technologies and data center infrastructure.
Interview
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
- The Middle East is unique because its hotel landscape is expanding faster than anywhere else globally, but its technology knowledge infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
- This region is open to new platforms, new operating models, and rapid digital adoption, making it ideal for building a category-defining ecosystem.
Geostrategy
WEF flags geoeconomic confrontation as top global risk for 2026
Experts warn economic warfare, misinformation and unchecked AI could amplify global shocks as cooperation weakens across political and trade blocs.
- Half of global leaders surveyed expect worsening instability within two years, while only 10% foresee stability.
- Environmental risks remain the most severe long-term threat despite slipping in near-term priority rankings.