Morocco joins UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain in regional industrial collaboration

• Morocco is expected to bring significant value to the partnership, given the country’s advanced industrial capabilities
• The country's GDP exceeded $134 billion in 2022 and its industrial sector provided over 1 million jobs, through some 121,000 companies

The UAE President swears in 3 new ministers

• President Sheikh Mohamed extended his best wishes to the ministers for success in their new roles
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that the UAE leadership places great importance on enriching the government's workforce

UAE passport most powerful in MENA region, 11th in global index

• The UAE has been the most improved nation on the Index over the past decade, adding an impressive 106 destinations to its visa-on-arrival list since 2014
• The country's passport continues to lead the region, outpacing other Gulf nations, with Qatar at 53rd, Kuwait at 55th, Bahrain at 59th, Oman at 60th, and Saudi Arabia at 61st

Saudi PIF Governor: Global demand for metals to rise sixfold by 2040

• Al-Rumayyan said the Ma’aden mining company owned by the PIF has expanded its exploration activities for gold, zinc, lithium, and other metals
• He revealed that the Kingdom’s mineral wealth currently stands at US$1.3 trillion, with a target to increase it to $1.5 trillion

WEF 2024 aims to bridge trust gaps amid global discord

• The WEF 2024 entails sessions addressing global security, economic growth, climate action, technological disruption, and health and well-being
• The forum will emphasize public-private collaboration to translate ideas into actionable solutions, acting as an accelerator for cooperation among leaders and initiatives

Middle East air cargo volumes up 13.5% in November

• Global demand for air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), increased by 8.3% compared to November 2022
• Most of the capacity growth is attributed to the increase in belly capacity as international passenger markets continue their post-COVID recovery

Bitcoin surpasses $47,000, first time since March 30, 2022

• Bitcoin, originating in 2008 under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, operates as a decentralized digital currency
• The robust trading volumes in Bitcoin mining firms signal a heightened investor interest, underlining the increasing prominence of cryptocurrencies

Saudi Arabia tops MENA in venture capital investment in 2023

China says foreign consulting agency head spied for Britain

• China and Britain have traded barbs in recent months over allegations of perceived espionage and its resulting impact on national security
• Britain's government has warned that Chinese spies are increasingly targeting officials, allegations that Beijing has denied

UAE announces its participation in Nasa’s Lunar Gateway Station

• The UAE will be responsible for developing the lunar space station's Crew and Science Airlock, a critical component for maintaining a safe environment for astronauts
• This unit will act as a portal of the station, serving as the entry and exit point for missions and astronauts travelling to the Moon’s surface from the Lunar Gateway Station