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
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)...
Business
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia’s natural reserve makes it to UNESCO heritage list
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage...
- Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve occupies an area of over 12,750 km2 and is the only major sand desert in tropical Asia.
- It provides vital natural habitats for the survival of more than 120 indigenous plant species.
Geostrategy
GCC ministers call upon Iraq to respect Kuwait sovereignty
New York, United States -- At a meeting on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly,...
- The foreign ministers asked Baghdad to adhere to UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 833, which pertains to the demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq borders.
- Expressing hope for continued cooperation from Iraq, the ministers urged both Iraq and the UN to make every effort to resolve the related issues.
Economy
GCC countries hold interest rates following US Fed decision
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- In the wake of the US Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its interest rates, GCC countries,...
- The US Federal Reserve, on Wednesday, voted to keep interest rates at a 22-year peak, suggesting that these rates might need to persist at these highs to tame inflation.
- The CBUAE will continue to set the rate for short-term liquidity borrowing at 50 basis points above the Base Rate.
Business
Sharjah Chamber to host two-day Gulf-Iraq Business event
SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) said it is likely to host the first Gulf-Iraq...
- The theme of the event is “Partnership for a Promising Economic Future”, and is expected to present multiple investment opportunities.
- The Chamber hopes the event starts new wave of economic, trade, and industrial relations between the GCC countries and Iraq.
Business
stc’s acquisition of Telefonica stake okayed
Spain's Securities Market Regulatory Authority cleared the deal.
- Morgan Stanley, which advises on the deal from the buyer's side, accumulated a little less than 3 percent of Telefonica’s capital during an unspecified period of time.
- Media reports said that stc announced recently it acquired a 9.9 percent stake in Telefonica for SAR 8.5 billion (2.1 billion euros).
Business
ZATCA, Korea Customs Service sign MoU to recognize AEO
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) and Korea Customs Service have signed a memorandum...
- The move will accelerate the clearance of goods at customs points, enhance trade, and support their economies, SPA reported.
- ZATCA also showcased the “Clearance within Two Hours” initiative, which aims to unify the efforts of customs clearance authorities.
Business
AD ports’ digital customs transactions increase by 37% in H1
Clearance of goods transactions increased by 35.8%.
- AD Customs reported a 20 percent growth in customs clearance request in free zones areas.
- It also recorded a growth of 6 percent in customs declaration during the first six months of 2023.
Infographics
Aramco, IHC among biggest companies in Middle East
Energy, banking and financial services, and industrial sector companies are among the largest in the Middle East, especially the Gulf...
- High representation of these sectors is due to the region's rich oil and gas reserves and its growing population and economies.
- The Middle East is also home to a number of other significant industries, such as tourism, healthcare, and education.
Business
DAE closes $1.6 billion loan
DAE said this is the company's largest ever loan facility.
- The facility enabled DAE to tap the Islamic banking liquidity and consolidate its existing banking relationships in the Middle East, Asia, North America, and Europe, it said.
- Proceeds from the facilities will support the future financing needs of the business and refinance a maturing credit facility.
Arts & Culture
Picasso’s ‘Woman With a Watch’ to be exhibited in Dubai on Sept 25-26
This would be for the first time that the painting has been exhibited outside of the United States in over...
- This would be for the first time that the painting has been exhibited outside of the United States in over 50 years.
- The painting depicts Marie-Thérèse Walter, Picasso’s “golden muse” and the subject of many of his most iconic works.
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
Company News
Latest News
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...
Business
World Bank offers to host Lost and Damage Fund: Official
Dubai, UAE -- "World Bank has offered to host the Lost and Damage Fund, so we'll work very closely with...
Geostrategy
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Business
TAMM partners with AI71 to use UAE’s Falcon series LLMs
TAMM becomes first to use UAE’s Falcon large language models.
- Falcon LLMs will equip TAMM to deliver high-quality interaction by providing its users with accurate, relevant and contextually appropriate responses to their queries.
- Falcon’s capabilities extend to being a data-driven insight generator, helping TAMM refine its services based on user interactions and feedback.
Business
Tech-empowered shoppers drive Saudi consumer behavior: PwC
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabian consumers are navigating the market with heightened awareness, becoming better-informed buyers, according to the...
- Saudi consumers increasingly rely on smartphones and connected devices to compare prices both online and in-store.
- Brand websites are a trusted source, influencing 65% of survey participants, emphasizing the significance of the online shopping experience.
Business
14 financial giants confirm expansion into Abu Dhabi: ADGM
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a leading international financial center of the UAE’s capital, Thursday announced...
- Abu Dhabi Global Market said these institutions represent a total Assets Under Management AUM of $452 billion.
- ADGM also recorded six further announcements made by emerging growth firms, bringing the total to 23.