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
Gaza conflict: Fitch places Israel’s IDR on rating watch negative
London, United Kingdom -- Fitch Ratings has placed Israel's Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of 'A+' on...
- Fitch fears escalation could severely impact Israel's credit metrics due to increased military spending, infrastructure damage, and a shift in consumer and investment sentiment.
- Fitch suggests that a major escalation could lead to a negative rating action for Israel. This could manifest as a prolonged conflict, resulting in sustained fiscal challenges.
Business
Saudi e-visa facility extended to Turkiye, five other countries
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that it will grant e-visa to visitors from six new countries -- Turkiye,...
- Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles and Mauritius are the other countries now eligible for e-visa.
- A visitor e-visa is also provided to holders of valid Schengen, UK and US visas that have been used to enter those countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Economy
Qatar’s Industrial Production Index falls 2.1 percent in Aug 2023
Qatar's Industrial Production index (IPI) reached 105.2 points in August 2023, a decline by 2.1 percent compared to the previous month (July...
- The index of the manufacturing sector showed an increase by 2.2 percent in August 2023 compared to the previous month (July 2023).
- Refined petroleum products fell by 0.5Â percent. No change noticed in group of printing and reproduction of recorded media.
Business
Manufacturers struggle to meet AI-related goals, says new white paper
DUBAI, UAE -- Despite many manufacturers integrating AI into their operations, a significant number of them face challenges in meeting...
- A global Boston Consulting Group study from 2023 revealed that AI technologies could enhance productivity by over 20 percent.
- While 90 percent of companies across various industries aim to incorporate AI, only one in six have met their AI-related objectives.
Business
UAE and Saudi Arabia lead MENA venture capital fundraising
Dubai, UAE -- MENA venture capital funding in the third quarter saw $250 million raised across 78 deals, a 32...
- MENA venture capital funding in the third quarter saw $250 million raised across 78 deals, a 32 percent increase compared to Q2 of 2023.
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE led the region in capital raised, with the Kingdom reporting a 172 percent QoQ increase.
Business
OERC and Arkan partner to transport raw limestone to UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Oman and Etihad Rail Company (OERC), the developer and operator of the UAE-Oman Rail Network, signed...
- Oman and Etihad Rail will provide logistics solutions for Emirates Steel Arkan through annual transportation of 4 to 6 million tons of high-quality raw materials to Al Ain.
- This ensures Emirates Steel Arkan can produce and export 2-3 million tons of finished goods to regional markets each year.
Geostrategy
Saudi Crown Prince launches Ardara company to develop AlWadi
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Monday announced the launch of...
- This will be Ardara’s first development and will become a vibrant urban center and tourist destination for both local and international visitors, PIF said.
- AlWadi in Aseer region – meaning, the valley – will span 2.5 million square meters and will be developed with sustainability at its core.
Business
Funds raised by startups within TECOM Group’s in5 hub up 20%
Dubai, UAE -- in5, part of TECOM Group and an innovation and entrepreneurship hub in the region, has witnessed a...
- In the first nine months of 2023, a total of 120 new ventures joined in5's portfolio, which amounts to a new start-up almost every other day between January and September 2023.
- Since its establishment in 2013, in5 has nurtured more than 850 start-ups, with representation from over 50 nationalities, including Canada, China, France, India and Russia.
Business
Merger of Saudi Enaya and UCA okayed
The merger remains subject to regulatory approvals.
- The two companies had signed a binding merger agreement through a share swap deal, under which UCA will issue a 0.837 common share for each issued share in Saudi Enaya.
- On 29 April 2021, Saudi Enaya Cooperative and Amana Cooperative Insurance signed a merger agreement.
Geostrategy
Israeli bombardment kills 2,670 in Gaza: Health ministry
Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip have led to an "unprecedented human catastrophe" in the Palestinian territory, the United Nations...
- UN Security Council members hold difficult talks Sunday on a possible resolution over the war between Israel and Hamas, with two drafts on the negotiating table.
- Egypt, which controls the only passage in and out of Gaza not controlled by Israel, has said it plans to host a summit on the future of the Palestinian cause.
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...
Company News
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Qatar expects 11.4% revenue dip in 2024 budget on lower oil prices
Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari attributed the decrease in revenues to the adoption of an average oil price...
Economy
Saudi fund assets dip slightly in Q3 but subscribers surge
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The total value of assets held by public and private investment funds in Saudi Arabia decreased...
Business
DIFC Innovation Hub 2023 graduates raise $600 million in funding
Dubai, UAE -- More than 200 start-ups graduating from the programs of DIFC Innovation Hub in 2023 have collectively raised...
Business
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Business
Mubadala Energy makes gas discovery
This is the company's second successful well in the Andaman area.
- The latest discovery comies after the success of Timpan-1 in Andaman-II, which itself came after the success of Cengkih-1 in our SK320 in Malaysia.
- The well encountered an extensive gas column with a thickness of over 230 meters in an Oligocene sandstone reservoir.
Geostrategy
UAE issues federal decree on regulating electronic, digital media
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE Government has issued a federal decree which aims to regulate and organize media in...
- The decree aims to promote the UAE as a global media hub and establish an enabling environment for the growth and prosperity of the sector.
- The provisions of the decree apply to individuals, organizations, media outlets, and free zones dedicated to the media in the UAE.
Business
AviLease, SDH Wings Sign MoU
The MoU will expand SDH Wings' portfolio of aircraft.
- AviLease acquired a 10 percent share of SDH Wings as part of the recently completed acquisition of the aircraft leasing platform of Standard Chartered.
- AviLease and SDH Wings have already identified the first five new technology narrowbody aircraft from AviLease’s owned portfolio that are now under LOI.