IsDBI begins building digital marketplace for Islamic finance
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has kicked off the development of the Islamic Finance Knowledge...
Business
Saudi AZM gets independent director
Omar bin Fahd Al-Sunaidi's term will extend until Jun 2026.
Business
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia’s Noor Riyadh festival sets 6 Guinness World Records
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Noor Riyadh Festival 2023 has secured six new Guinness World Records, making it its third consecutive...
- The records were set during the closing presentation of an art installation, after the 17 days of celebration, held from November 30 to December 16, 2023.
- Artist Christopher Bauder's artwork titled "Dialogue" set a record for "the most lights used in a temporary light and sound show".
Business
ACWA Power signs $800m agreement for South Africa renewable project
Dubai, UAE --Â Saudi-listed renewable energy giant ACWA Power has signed a $800 million power purchase agreement for ACWA Power Project...
- The project will reach around 50% local content in procurement during the construction and create more than 1,000 construction jobs at peak.
- Commencement of operations is scheduled by Q2 2026, adding significant dispatchable capacity onto the grid.
Business
King Abdulaziz International Airport top Saudi performer in November
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport, Abha International Airport, Al-Ahsa International Airport...
- Among international airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh bagged the second place with 82% compliance rate.
- For domestic airports, Gurayat Airport topped with a 100 percent compliance rate, surpassing peers in terms of total average waiting time for flights departing and arriving.
Business
SAMA issues rules regulating ‘buy now pay later’ companies
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has issued rules for regulating buy now pay later (BNPL) companies,...
- Under these rules, BNPL activity is defined as "a type of financing that allows a consumer to purchase goods or services without a term cost payable by the consumer".
- The rules aim to regulate the licensing of BNPL companies and set minimum standards and procedures required to offer BNPL services.
Business
Finland’s Vaisala to equip Kuwait airport with observation system
Kuwait City, Kuwait -- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Kuwait has inked a KD 6.7 million ($21.7...
- The contract for three runways at Kuwait International Airport is the largest single airport instrumentation contract for Vaisala ever.
- It includes the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation, maintenance, technical support, and user training.
Geostrategy
Gaza ‘integral part’ of Palestinian state: Abbas tells US official
The talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan came as Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza despite mounting international...
- Abbas "emphasized the urgent need to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression, particularly the genocide being carried out these days upon the Palestinian people in Gaza".
- Sullivan's visit to the region has also included meetings in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Business
Dubai records $3.51 billion in weeklong real estate deals
Dubai, UAE -- The real estate and properties transactions valued at 12.9 billion ($3.51 billion) in total during the week...
- A total 304 plots were sold for AED 3.53 billion, 2,744 apartments and villas were sold for AED 7.15 billion.
- The sum of the amount of mortgaged properties for the week was 1.77 billion, with the highest being a land in Trade Center Second, mortgaged for AED 364 million.
Business
GCC region’s non-hydrocarbon growth momentum strong: IMF
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The GCC region’s non-hydrocarbon growth momentum remains strong, driven by higher domestic demand, increased gross capital...
- A comprehensive package of policies should be implemented to respond to near-term shocks and uncertainty and to firmly address medium- and long-term challenges.
- The IMF affirmed that structural policies should continue focusing on diversifying the economies away from hydrocarbon.
Business
UAB concludes $200m term loan
Proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes.
- The dual tranche borrowing comprises a conventional tranche and a commodity Murabaha financing facility has been concluded at competitive pricing.
- The facility also includes a green-shoe option to increase the size up to AED 1.3 billion. Proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes.
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rises to 1.7 percent in November: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s inflation rose to 1.7 percent in November compared with the previous month, according to recent data...
- The cost-of-living index for November rose to 110.06 points, according to the base year 2018, from 108.25 points in the same month a year earlier.
- The higher consumer price index (CPI) in November was mainly impacted by a 7.8 percent rise in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel prices.
IsDBI begins building digital marketplace for Islamic finance
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has kicked off the development of the Islamic Finance Knowledge...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Institutional investors purchase $1.9bn in UAE stocks during 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Institutional investors boosted their acquisition of domestic stocks in 2023, purchasing nearly AED 7 billion ($1.9...
Business
Decree issued to form Board of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Monday issued a decree for the formation of the...
Business
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...
Economy
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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.