GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have...
Interview
ATM 2025 to showcase 2,800 firms, 17 percent from Middle East
Dubai, UAE: The Arabian Travel Market, which will take place from Apr 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World...
Business
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.
Business
Qatar records real estate transactions worth $400 million in Nov
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar reported a total of 321 real estate transactions worth QR 1.46 billion ($400 million) in November...
- Top-performing municipalities in financial value included Doha, Al Rayyan, and Al Dhaayen. Doha led with transactions worth QR 603 million.
- Mortgage transactions totaled 88, amounting to QR 3.19 billion. Al Rayyan dominated with 38 transactions, followed by Doha with 25.
Business
Saudi investors witness 40% fall in US equities trading in Q3 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- In the third quarter of 2023, Saudi investors engaged in sell and buy transactions on US...
- This reflects a substantial year-on-year (YoY) fall of SAR 9.15 billion, equivalent to a 40 percent decrease.
- According to a report from the Capital Market Authority (CMA), this decline in trading activity by Saudi investors represents the lowest point since Q4 2019.
Business
stc’s Tawal secures $999m financing
Tawal signed Murabaha pacts with SNB and SA
- The 18-month financing is covered by a promissory note by TAWAL for the full amount, stc said in a statement to Tadawul, according to Argaam.
- The credit is intended to go towards refinancing the shareholders loan extended by stc to TAWAL.
Business
Aramco to acquire 40% stake in GO
Gas & Oil is one of the largest retail and storage firms in Pakistan.
- This is Aramco's first entry into the Pakistani fuels retail market, advancing the company’s strategy to strengthen its downstream value chain internationally, the company said.
- This transaction would enable Aramco to secure additional outlets for its refined products and further provide new market opportunities for Valvoline-branded lubricants
Business
SABIC announces 16% H2 cash dividend
The dividend of $1.27 billion is payable on Mar 4, 2024.
- SABIC has announced full-year dividend of SAR 10.2 billion or 34 percent (SAR 3.4 a share) of its current capital of SAR 30 billion.
- The company had posted a net loss of SAR 1.04 billion ($277 million) in the first nine months of 2023, against a net profit of SAR 16.24 billion a year earlier.
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GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have...
Interview
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TAQA net income $1.93bn in 2024
Business
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MODON launches 10 projects
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
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...
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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.
Business
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...
- The Pavilion will provide a digital marketplace of validated solution providers (institutions, consultants, and experts) in Islamic finance and economic development.
- This project aligns with the IsDBI’s objective to provide fintech knowledge solutions to the Islamic finance industry to support sustainable development in member countries.