UAE backs Egypt’s Ras El Hekma megaproject, aims for $110 billion investment
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE Ministry of Investment (MoI) announced today its support and key role in the advancement...
Business
United by innovation and progress: The enduring US-UAE partnership
‘’In close partnership, we are working to advance multilateral diplomatic solutions and provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Gaza and...
Economy
SAMA: E-payments share reached 70% of total payments in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced on Monday that the share of retail consumer electronic payments...
- The achievement is attributed to the significant growth of payments processed through national payment systems in 2023
- The evolving cost-effective and reliable e-payment system helps enhance transaction efficiency, and support financial stability
Economy
Gross written premium rises by 12.7% in Q4 2023 to US$14bn, says CBUAE
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE insurance sector continued to grow in Q4 2023, as reflected by the increase in...
- The number of licenced insurance companies in the UAE remained at 60, the CBUAE announced in its quarterly economic report.
- The insurance of persons and fund accumulation premiums decreased by 12.4 percent YoY.
Economy
Debt, trade barriers drag Asian economies in 2024, says World Bank report   Â
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast...
- Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast to slow to 4.5 percent this year from 5.1 percent in 2023.
- A key risk is that the US Federal Reserve and other major central banks might keep interest rates higher than before the pandemic.
Economy
Saudi women’s unemployment drops to 13.7% by 4Q 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The unemployment rate among Saudi women witnessed a historic decline, plummeting to 13.7 percent in the...
- The unemployment rate among Saudi men remained steady at 4.6 percent during the same period
- The overall unemployment rate, encompassing Saudis and non-Saudis, saw a noteworthy decrease to 4.4% in the 4th quarter
Business
Rotana announces the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan in Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties in...
- This is in line with Rotana’s ambitious goal of launching eight properties in Saudi Arabia.
- Dar Rayhaan by Rotana offers 133 keys, including 113 rooms and 20 suites,
Business
Global football stars choose Red Sea destination for holiday
TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA – A few days ago, the Red Sea destination hosted several international football stars from Saudi Pro...
- Among the football stars were Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabinho Tavares, Roger Ibanez and Roberto Firmino.
- They also engaged in various water sports and marine activities, making the most of their time.
Economy
Saudi tourism hits record $36 billion inbound spending in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's tourism sector contributed to a record-breaking $36 (SR135 billion) in spending by international visitors....
- The Kingdom's remarkable performance in tourism was further highlighted by its leading position in the United Nations Tourism rankings for growth in international tourist arrivals
- The UN's tourism report also noted a substantial rise in both inbound and domestic tourism within the Kingdom, reinforcing its reputation as a premier global tourism destination
Business
Digital transformation fuels GCC banks’ growth
The banking sector across the GCC has demonstrated formidable growth and profitability, with Qatar leading in several key performance indicators,...
- Notably, Qatar National Bank (QNB), the titan among GCC banks in terms of assets, received an uplift in its long-term credit rating from A to A+.Â
- The region has also seen a notable increase in profitability, with a significant double-digit rise of 23.1 percent, driven largely by growth in loan books.
Business
Sheikh Hamdan praises ADNOC’s efforts in using AI in production process Â
ABU DHABI, UAE - Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said that under the...
- Sheikh Hamdan toured key facilities and operations, learning about the company's efforts to leverage AI.
- Sheikh Hamdan emphasized on the importance of Emirati women's participation across various sectors.
Arts & Culture
Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of...
- The project comes within the context of the Crown Prince's keenness to preserve and rehabilitate historical sites.
- The project aimed to highlight the heritage landmarks that Jeddah District is abundant in as a site containing over 600 heritage buildings.
UAE backs Egypt’s Ras El Hekma megaproject, aims for $110 billion investment
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE Ministry of Investment (MoI) announced today its support and key role in the advancement...
Business
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GCC countries host nine million Indians, UAE alone home to 3.55 million
New Delhi, UAE - The number of Indians living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has crossed nine million,...
Economy
Dubai’s GDP tops $31.3 bn in Q1 2024, growing 3.2%
The financial and insurance sector saw a 5.6% rise, reaching USD 4.1 billion (AED 15.1 billion), supported by significant growth...
Defiant Netanyahu to face US Congress amid Biden’s withdrawal
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, using an American football image, said Friday that negotiators were "inside the 10 yard...
Geostrategy
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Business
Saudi Arabia’s tourist spending reaches $40bn: minister
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlights the upcoming launch of a tourist visa aimed at drawing more international...
- Passenger air traffic in Saudi Arabia rose by 17 percent in the first half of 2024, reaching 62 million compared to 53 million in the same period last year
- This growth was aided by a 12 percent increase in flights, with 446,000 recorded compared to 399,000 in the first half of 2023
Business
Chinese company to build Saudi Arabia’s first ocean park
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Haichang Ocean Park Holdings, China's largest ocean theme park operator, announced plans on Thursday to build...
- Haichang, which has a history of marine-themed tourism spanning over two decades, has previously collaborated on tourism projects in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia
- Currently operating parks in cities such as Shanghai, Dalian, Zhengzhou, and Sanya, Haichang attracts more than 20 million visitors annually
Economy
Oregon leverages coastal adventures and diverse landscapes to expand its tourism market
Oregon's tourism strategy focuses on year-round visitation, sustainability, and regenerative travel, aiming to optimize economic impact while preserving natural beauty...
- Oregon is a destination where you can wander along stunning shorelines, trek volcanic peaks, and paddle serene lakes
- But it is not just natural beauty, the coastal gem also boasts some of the nation's finest breweries and restaurants