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...
Geostrategy
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...
Economy
Business
First Mills IPO price SAR60 per share
This implies a market capitalization of $888 million.
- The total offering size is SAR 999 million ($266 million). SNB Capital is the lead manager, financial advisor, book-runner and underwriter on the potential offering.
- A total of 1.67 million shares, representing 10 percent of the total offer shares, will be allocated to retail investors. The retail offering will run from June 6 to June 7.
Economy
UAE clarifies criteria for end-of-service benefits scheme Shourak
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE pension authority clarified Tuesday that requests related to Shourak scheme, which enables Emiratis to...
- Shourak (meaning preference in English) was launched by the GPSSA for insured Emiratis seeking to merge previous and current employment periods in case of a career switch.
- Shourak requests will be considered applicable for eligible insured Emiratis who submit their end-of-service employment applications to GPSSA after July 1.
Business
Yanbu Cement to pay $62.93m in dividends
The cash dividend of SAR1.50 per share will be paid for H1 2023.
- In a Tadawul filing, the firm said the eligibility and distribution dates for the cash dividends will be 31 May and 20 June 2023, respectively.
- The company had posted a net profit of SAR51 million for the first quarter of 2023, a 31 percent increase from SAR 39 million in Q1 2022.
Business
Saudi SEZs attract $12bn in investments since launch in April
An additional $31 billion in investments are in progress, the Special Economic Zones Investment Forum in Riyadh was told Tuesday....
- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said kingdom closed deals worth SAR 285 billion ($76 billion) in 2022 across sectors ranging from agriculture to aerospace.
- The Special Economic Zones Investment Forum in Riyadh was told Tuesday that an additional $31 billion in investments in the SEZs are in progress.
Business
Advanced secures $586m loan
The five-year financing was secured by promissory notes.
- The Sharia-compliant financing from Alawwal Bank will be used to pay back the existing credit facilities and for financing general corporate purposes.
- Advanced Petrochemical saw its first quarter net profit drop by nearly 74 percent year on year, from 164 million riyals in Q1 2022 to 43 million riyals in Q1 2023.
Business
Sharjah’s Waste-to-Energy Project promotes renewable energy
SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Waste-to-Energy Project, the first of its kind in the Middle East, has strengthened its efforts...
- Since its launch one year ago, the plant has increased its waste diversion rate from 76 percent to 90 percent.
- The move aligns with the UAE's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and diversifying the energy mix.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s Alinma Bank posts highest first quarter asset growth
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabian Alinma Bank posted the first quarter asset growth of 19.1 percent, leading other Saudi-listed banks,...
- Al Rajhi Bank came second with an asset growth of 18.1 percent growth. The sector’s average growth rate stood at 11.2 percent.
- In terms of deposit growth, Alinma Bank again led the way with 24.9 percent, while Bank Albilad came second with 22.5 percent.
Business
Ajman Chamber and Turkiye look to expand business networks
Ajman, UAE - The Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has discussed expanding the trade and joint investment with...
- The two parties focused on exchanging experiences, expanding business networks and developing partnerships.
- The non-oil trade exchange between the UAE and Türkiye reached $18.95 billion by the end of the year 2022.
Business
Dubai launches strategy to achieve zero emissions in public transport
This aligns with UAE's preparations for COP28 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, and is a part...
- This makes it the first Middle Eastern agency to develop a long-term strategy for migrating towards Net-Zero Emission Public Transport by 2050.
- The primary objectives of the strategy include the decarbonization of all taxis, limousines, and public buses and designing buildings.
Arts & Culture
Abu Dhabi event transforms global falconry
The exhibition has become a popular platform for falconers to purchase elite captive-bred falcons from local and international farms.
- Last year's exhibition saw the sale of the most expensive falcon in its history, the American-bred "Pure Gyre - Ultra White" for $275,000.
- The breeding of falcons in captivity represented a real revolution in falconry and sustainability and the revival of this heritage.
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...
Geostrategy
Company News
SIRC and Edama sign partnership
Business
Silal acquires stake in SAFCO
Business
Latest News
Dubai records realty deals worth $116 billion in nine months
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai recorded 116,116 real estate transactions worth AED 429.67 billion ($116.98 billion) during the first nine months...
Business
Firms listed on Qatar Stock Exchange post 9M profit of $10.27bn
Doha, Qatar -- Companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange have reported a net profit of QR 37.42 billion ($10.27...
Business
Most Read
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s Q3 real GDP falls by 4.5% on decreased oil activities
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by 4.5 percent in the third quarter of...
- Non-oil activities and government activities grew by 3.6 percent and 1.9 percent respectively in the third quarter due to a 17.3 percent fall in oil activities.
- Seasonally adjusted real GDP decreased by 3.9 percent in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter, due to a decrease in oil activities and government activities.
Business
Chinese BYD posts record Q3 profit
The third-quarter profit of $1.42bn is its highest-ever single-quarter earnings.
- The figure was in line with BYD's previous forecast of between 9.55 billion yuan and 11.55 billion yuan in quarterly earnings.
- Electric vehicle demand has soared in recent years in China, which is the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases in absolute terms.
Business
AlUla signs pact with Six Senses
Six Senses AlUla will open in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
- Luxury hotel Six Senses AlUla will span across 1,200,000 square meters and will be built within a natural oasis adorned with lush palm groves.
- It will feature 100 guest villas and 25 residences, which will be designed to seamlessly integrate with AlUla's breathtaking natural landscape.

