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...
Mubadala Energy enters US energy market
Acquires a 24.1% interest in US firm Kimmeridge’s SoTex
Business
Economy
Saudi Arabia jumps to second rank in ICT index among G20 nations
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia jumped 10 ranks to second place among the G20 countries according to International Telecommunication...
- The index monitors the economies of 169 countries to measure their progress in ICT services through two main pillars ‘universal connectivity’ and ‘meaningful connectivity.
- It reflects the robust and developed digital infrastructure, with an increase of 99 percent of Internet penetration rate in Saudi Arabia.
Geostrategy
Regional players welcome ceasefire and political process in Yemen
Riyad, Saudi Arabia -- Key regional players have welcomed the agreement – involving a comprehensive set of measures aimed at...
- This pivotal agreement includes a nationwide ceasefire, initiatives to enhance living standards, and steps towards resuming a comprehensive political process under UN's guidance.
- The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope for the roadmap's imminent signing, contributing to a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
Business
Hamriyah, Deira ports report $3.30bn in customs declaration
Dubai, UAE -- Hamriyah and Deira ports have reported 62,454 customs declarations, totaling AED 12.133 billion ($3.30 billion), with 19...
- Khor Customs Centre and Deira Port successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle 243 kilograms of narcotics into the country.
- An advanced container X-ray inspection device, supporting increased inspection operations, is operational at te Hamriyah Port Customs Centre.
Geostrategy
Israeli forces detain 4,695 Palestinians in West Bank since Oct 7
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) and the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Authority say the tally includes the Palestinians detained at...
- The statement said Israeli forces continue to carry out widespread acts of abuse, brutal assaults, on-field interrogations, and threats against detainees and their families.
- Since Oct 7, West Bank Palestinians have witnessed growing settler violence and the displacement of small herding villages on land coveted by Israel.
Geostrategy
SFD-financed Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania inaugurated
Dubai, UAE -- The Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania, which has been financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)...
- The project will improve the efficiency of Mauritania's water, irrigation and drainage facilities, while delivering agricultural equipment and potable water to farmers.
- Since 1979, the fund has contributed toward 20 development projects in Mauritania, at a value of over $665 million.
Business
$661m plot of land among weeklong real estate deals in Dubai
The emirate recorded a total of 3,785 real estate transactions worth AED 16.6bn ($4.51 billion) during the week ending 22...
- The sum of the amount of mortgaged properties for the week was 2.29bn, with the highest being a land in Al Safouh Second, mortgaged for AED 509.2 million.
- A total of 216 plots were sold for AED 4.91bn 2,729 apartments and villas were sold for AED 7.49bn. A total of 257 properties were granted between first-degree relatives.
Economy
Russia won’t consider ratings while granting loans to countries
Previously, to be eligible for a loan from Moscow, a country could not be categorized in the sixth or lower...
- Additionally, loans were not extended to countries with long-term creditworthiness ratings below B- from Fitch or Standard & Poor’s, or below B3 from Moody’s.
- Under the new decree, Russia will no longer adhere to international institutions' recommendations when extending loans to other countries.
Business
ESG buys majority stake in UIG
The move is likely to enhance ESG’s manpower portfolio.
- ESG is a global investment, engineering and construction services business and a subsidiary of International Holding Company.
- The strategic plan aims to deploy over 30,000 skilled professionals by the end of 2024, serving various sectors.
Geostrategy
Angola departure a blow for OPEC+ as cartel tensions rise
Despite slashing oil production for months on end and announcing new cuts in late November, the Organization of the Petroleum...
- Prices are sitting at their lowest level in nearly six months despite the cartel's announcement in November to further cut output.
- Angola is far from the first small country to quit the cartel. Indonesia left in 2009, Qatar in 2019 and Ecuador in 2020.
Economy
UAE consumer spending expected to rise by 5% in 2024: Mastercard report
Dubai, UAE -- Consumer spending in the UAE is expected to increase by 5 percent in 2024, while consumers and...
- Expansionary fiscal policy is set to continue to support growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the report said.
- GCC’s strong push to grow its tourism sector have made the region one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations.
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...
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TAQA net income $1.93bn in 2024
Business
Clip of Gaza as seaside resort posted on Trump social media accounts
The video, which racked up more than 15 million views on Instagram and was shared thousands of times on Trump's...
Business
AI to replace 4,000 jobs in Southeast Asia’s largest bank: DBS
Singapore, Singapore -- Southeast Asia's largest bank DBS said that 4,000 jobs could be cut in the next three years...
Business
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Economy
China’s new tariffs policy to hasten industrial transformation
Beijing, China -- China's import and export tariff adjustments on some goods took effect on Monday, including implementing provisional import...
- China lowered import tariffs on resources and NEVs, aiming to enhance competitiveness and secure supplies.
- Tariffs on medicines and food for medical purposes were cut, reflecting a focus on health and consumer needs.
Economy
Qatar’s industrial sector PPI down in Nov on lower oil prices
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's Producer Price Index (PPI) of the industrial sector in the country for November was 118.65 points,...
- Qatar's industrial PPI fell 1.95% in November, driven by oil price drops in mining and some manufacturing sectors.
- Electricity prices defied the trend, showing MoM and YoY increases, while water prices dipped MoM but rose slightly YoY.
Business
MODON launches 10 projects
The projects in 6 industrial cities are valued at $143 million.
- These projects, conducted in collaboration with several national companies, aim to foster opportunities for value chain initiatives and bolster local content.
- Among the agreements, MODON has inked a contract for establishing 80 factories and ready-made products in Al-Ahsa and Taif's industrial cities.