Syria’s new authorities to help locate missing Americans: US envoy
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing...
Geostrategy
United Kingdom renationalizes first train operator under Labor reforms
London, United Kingdom -- Britain's South Western Railways on Sunday becomes the first private train operator to be returned to...
Economy
Economy
$2bn earmarked for Saudi real estate by Muslim global HWNIs
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Muslim global high net worth individuals (HNWI) are prepared to spend US$ 1.96 billion on real...
- Makkah (30%) has emerged as the top wish list city by Muslim HNWI for real estate purchases in Saudi, while Riyadh (25%) ranks second
- Prices in Makkah have risen by an average of 5.5% over the last 3 years, compared to 5% in Madinah over the same period
Business
Jafza reports 28% year-on-year growth in 2023 of new Indian companies
DUBAI, UAE – Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is a major contributor to the growing trade between India and the...
- Over 190 new Indian businesses and a total of more than 1,500 Indian companies have set up business in Jafza.
- This move aims to assist Indian businesses in accessing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Business
UAE’s e-commerce sector projected to earn $9bn revenue in 2024
Dubai, UAE - The UAE's online shopping market is gearing up for unprecedented growth, with revenue projections hitting $9 billion...
- One of the key drivers of this expansion is the emerging trend of "metaverse e-commerce," a segment anticipated to experience a 37% growth from 2024 to 2030
- The top performers in 2023 were Toys, DIY, and hobbies, leading with 29% market share, closely followed by fashion at 27%
Economy
Residential demand buoyed Qatar’s property sector in 2023
Doha, Qatar - Residential demand continued to buoy the country's property sector in Q4 2023, hapondo, a homegrown property portal,...
- The report pointed out that despite a decrease in real estate transaction volume to $4.6 billion from $5.82 billion, apartments remained popular for investment
- Key residential highlights included the Marina District in Lusail, while The Pearl remained the most sought-after location for apartment seekers
Business
China Eastern Airlines to operate three weekly fights between Shanghai and Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and China Eastern Airlines have entered into a strategic partnership...
- The new route is set to operate with an A330-200 aircraft, offering an annual capacity of 35,880 inbound seats
- Both parties anticipate increased trade, people-to-people exchanges, and dialogues across various sectors through this 'Air Silk Road' initiative
Economy
Iran agricultural, food exports hit US$5.5bn in 11 months
TEHRAN, IRAN – The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade said that Iran exported fisheries, livestock, agricultural and food products...
- Iraq was the biggest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth US$1.7 billion.
- The UAE was the second largest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth $675 million
Economy
GASTAT adopts chain-linking method to calculate Saudi Arabia’s real GDP
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said in a press release it issued on Sunday that...
- The fourth quarter 2023 results and the annual results for the same year have been reached at by using the new methodology.
- Saudi Arabia is the first country in the Gulf and Arab regions, and among the first G20 countries, to implement the chain-linking methodology.
Market Report
Non-Jordanian investors own 47% of ASE market value as of February 2024
AMMAN, JORDAN – Data released by the Amman Stock Exchange reveals that non-Jordanian investors bought shares worth US$12.5 million (JD8.9...
- From the beginning of 2024 till end of February, non-Jordanian investments in the stock exchange totaled $21.8 million in purchases.
- The contribution of Arab investors in the non-Jordanian group accounted for US$11.7 million or 93.6 percent in February.
Business
Doha Bank bond issue oversubscribed four times
Doha, Qatar - Doha Bank has successfully issued $500 million in international bonds, garnering a total order book of $2...
- The achievement follows an extensive marketing campaign by Doha Bank's management, engaging with investors globally to present the bank's objectives and performance overview
- The positive response from investors reflects confidence in Doha Bank's future prospects and the robust fundamentals of the Qatari economy
Arts & Culture
UAE elected Vice Chair of UNESCO’s committee for promotion of cultural diversity
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE has been elected the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the...
- The appointment was made during the 17th meeting of the committee, which was recently held at UNESCO’s HQ in Paris, France
- It acknowledges the UAE’s contributions to cultural diversity and its role in fostering a multicultural society both regionally and globally
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
Syria’s new authorities to help locate missing Americans: US envoy
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
‘Dark universe detective’ telescope releases first data
Paris, France - Europe's Euclid space telescope, which is on a mission to shed light on the mysteries of dark...
Science
Israel announces ground operations, issues ‘last warning’ to Gazans to remove Hamas from power
Israeli forces this week conducted the deadliest wave of air strikes since the start of a truce in January, killing...
Geostrategy
Putin has upper hand in Trump talks on elusive Ukraine peace: analysts
Paris, France - Vladimir Putin scored a coup by discussing with Donald Trump in highly anticipated phone talks everything from improving...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Hamas sees ‘positive’ signs for ceasefire talks as Israel cuts Gaza electricity, blocks aid flow
In a statement, Netanyahu's office said that Israel had accepted an invitation from US-backed mediators and would "send a delegation...
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel would send a delegation to Doha on Monday for truce talks
- Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the second phase
Geostrategy
Muslim nations meet in Jeddah to unite against Trump’s controversial Gaza takeover proposal.
Trump's plan has already united Arab countries in opposition, with Saudi Arabia also hosting Arab leaders two weeks ago to...
- At Tuesday's summit in Cairo, Arab leaders backed the proposal to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority
- However, the plan, which does not outline a role for Hamas, which controls Gaza, was rejected by both the United States and Israel
Economy
Turkey central bank cuts rate to 42.5% as inflation eases
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's central bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate for a third consecutive time as inflation...
- This is the third time the central bank cut its rate since December as its efforts to tame inflation are paying off
- Consumer prices rose by 39.05 percent last month, down from 42.1 percent in January, according to the country's statistics institute