MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
Interview
Trump Organization inks deal to build a golf course and villas in Doha
Doha, Qatar -- The Trump Organization signed on Wednesday its first development deal in Qatar to build a golf course...
Business
Business
Saudi fund assets dip slightly in Q3 but subscribers surge
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The total value of assets held by public and private investment funds in Saudi Arabia decreased...
- Public funds focus on local money markets, while private funds favor equity and real estate.
- The value of assets held by equity and real estate funds made up 84 percent of the private funds’ total assets.
Business
DIFC Innovation Hub 2023 graduates raise $600 million in funding
Dubai, UAE -- More than 200 start-ups graduating from the programs of DIFC Innovation Hub in 2023 have collectively raised...
- In 2023, the program also saw a record-breaking number of participants with over 700 applicants for a single cohort, out of which 19 start-ups graduated.
- DIFC Innovation Hub is home to the first and largest financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Business
ENEC announces completion of Unit 4 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAE's independent nuclear regulator, recently issued the Operating License for Unit 4...
- The three current commercially operating Units at Barakah, delivered in three consecutive years, are already generating more than 30TWh of zero-emission electricity every year.
- The Barakah Plant, a pivotal player in the international nuclear energy sector, boasts four APR-1400 units, marking it as one of the largest nuclear energy facilities globally.
Business
Mubadala Energy makes gas discovery
This is the company's second successful well in the Andaman area.
- The latest discovery comies after the success of Timpan-1 in Andaman-II, which itself came after the success of Cengkih-1 in our SK320 in Malaysia.
- The well encountered an extensive gas column with a thickness of over 230 meters in an Oligocene sandstone reservoir.
Geostrategy
UAE issues federal decree on regulating electronic, digital media
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE Government has issued a federal decree which aims to regulate and organize media in...
- The decree aims to promote the UAE as a global media hub and establish an enabling environment for the growth and prosperity of the sector.
- The provisions of the decree apply to individuals, organizations, media outlets, and free zones dedicated to the media in the UAE.
Business
AviLease, SDH Wings Sign MoU
The MoU will expand SDH Wings' portfolio of aircraft.
- AviLease acquired a 10 percent share of SDH Wings as part of the recently completed acquisition of the aircraft leasing platform of Standard Chartered.
- AviLease and SDH Wings have already identified the first five new technology narrowbody aircraft from AviLease’s owned portfolio that are now under LOI.
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 -- 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.
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
TAQA net income $1.93bn in 2024
Business
Europe backs Zelensky after White House showdown with Trump
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the "unspeakable" row "underlined that a new age of infamy has begun". Friedrich Merz,...
Geostrategy
81 percent of Saudi population attends cultural events, activities in 2024: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 81.6 percent of Saudi individuals visited at least one cultural event or activity in 2024, according...
Arts & Culture
How cyber criminals steal cryptocurrency
Hackers from North Korea have become notorious for their sophisticated and relentless tradecraft, according to Chainalysis. Nearly 60 percent of...
Business
Most Read
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...
- A Bloomberg Intelligence report last month said banks worldwide will cut as many as 200,000 positions in the next three to five years due to AI.
- Last year, the International Monetary Fund said AI could affect around 40 percent of jobs around the world.
Business
TAQA net income $1.93bn in 2024
The company's revenues increased 6.7 percent year-on-year.
- TAQA said the net income excludes one-off items (AED 10.8 billion) related to the acquisition of a 5 percent stake in ADNOC Gas.
- The company's revenues increased 6.7 percent year-on-year to AED55.2 billion, driven by sustained Transmission & Distribution (T&D) growth.
UN chief slams ‘distressing’ spending on arms over climate
Without action, "the situation will deteriorate," he warned. "Conflicts are multiplying. The climate crisis is set to spiral, as emissions...
- "It is distressing to see governments spending heavily on arms, while starving budgets for food security, climate action, and broader sustainable development," Guterres said
- "We can break the deadly nexus of hunger, climate chaos, and conflict. And quell the threat they pose to international peace and security," Guterres added further