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
Business
ADEX and National Bank of Egypt sign $100m financing agreement
This is aimed at supporting UAE export transactions to Egypt.
- Under the terms of the agreement, a revolving loan facility of US$100 million has been established, with the primary aim of supporting transactions involving UAE exports to Egypt.
- The Abu Dhabi Exports Office extends loans and guarantees to Emirati exporters to enhance their contributions to the economy and foster their global expansion.
Geostrategy
Egypt president calls for measures to slow birthrate
Cairo, Egypt -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Tuesday for measures to slow the birthrate in the Arab world's most...
- "We need 400,000 births per year," said the leader of the country of 105 million inhabitants which recorded nearly 2.2 million births in 2022.
- Sisi intervened when his minister of health and population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, told a conference that "having children is a matter of complete freedom".
Infographics
Saudi construction sector employs 3 million workers
GCC countries employ close to 20 million foreign workers, who are subject to vastly different conditions and wags compared to...
- The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have a high reliance on foreign labor. In 2020, foreign workers accounted for 60 percent of the total labor force.
- GCC countries face high unemployment among nationals, shortage of skilled labor and a mismatch between the skills of nationals and the requirements of the labor market.
Business
21 agreements and MoUs signed at Saudi-Italian Investment Forum
Milan, Italy -- The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum, jointly organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Italian Ministry of...
- The 21 MoUs and agreements signed during the Forum encompassed the sectors of energy, clean energy, healthcare, real estate, waste management, technology, and manufacturing.
- In 2022, the non-oil bilateral trade value between the Kingdom and Italy reached approximately SAR 5.6 billion (1.4 billion Euros), demonstrating significant growth potential.
Business
Mubadala, Petrobras sign MoU
The two parties will explore potential investment in a biofuel project.
- The biofuel project currently being developed by Mubadala Capital in the State of Bahia, Brazil.
- The MoU builds on biorefinery project to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel derived from Macauba, a native Brazilian crop.
Economy
Arab economies projected to grow 3.4% in 2023: AMF official
The growth may increase to 4% in 2024. Arab Monetary Fund Director-General Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al Humaidi stressed...
- He also underscored the importance of intensifying efforts to develop the financial and banking sector in Arab countries and increasing access to financing and financial services
- The Arab banking system has become more prepared to absorb and withstand financial and economic shocks and risks due to its improved liquidity and solvency levels, he said.
Business
Qatar tourist arrivals surge on post-world cup momentum
Doha, Qatar -- More than 2.56 million people visited Qatar from January to August 25, which is more than the...
- This number surpasses the full-year arrivals in 2022 and marks a 157 percent increase over the same period last year.
- Immediately after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar Tourism launched its 'Feel More in Qatar' global campaign.
Business
Emirates NBD invests in Komgo
The equity investment was made by Emirates NBD's Innovation Fund.
- Emirates NBD's corporate venture capital arm will enable the Group to invest in tech start-ups and companies supporting its digital strategy.
- Komgo has diverse customer base that includes more than 200 multinational corporations and global trade banks.
Geostrategy
Iran targets $30bn in annual trade with Turkey: Amirabdollahian
Tehran, Iran -- Iran and Turkey target $30 billion in annual trade in their endeavor to broaden political and economic...
- Amirabdollahian said they have held extensive negotiations and weighed plans to carry out the agreements reached in the recent meeting between the presidents of the two nations.
- "The transit routes in the region are not a factor of competition, but an element that strengthens relations between Iran and Turkey," he said.
Business
Iran’s oil output capacity up 40 percent in two years: Oil Minister
Tehran, UAE -- Iran’s oil production capacity has increased 40 percent in two years with the rise in investment in...
- Javad Owji said the daily crude oil output volume reached from the previous 2.2 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) to over 3.1 million bpd.
- The gas production has increased by 40 million cubic meters in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March to August 2023).
Company News
AJEX, MODON sign partnership
Business
Latest News
Abu Dhabi positioned in world’s fastest-growing economic corridor: Official
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Capital, said Thursday Abu Dhabi...
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,...
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...
Business

Most Read
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.

