Saudi Arabia retains first rank in MENA Venture Capital funding in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of Venture Capital (VC) funding in...
Business
All six lines of Riyadh Metro are now operational
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced that the phased rollout of Riyadh Metro culminated as of Sunday, Jan....
Business
Yalla Group 2023 revenue $318m
The company's fourth quarter revenue soared to $80.9 million.
- In the last quarter of 2023, Yalla's net margin was 36.6 percent alongside an impressive non-GAAP net margin of 41.3 percent.
- Yalla reported a 13.3 percent year-over-year increase in average monthly active users (MAUs), reaching 36.2 million in the final quarter of 2023
Business
Dubai hotel occupancy up 3.4% to reach 90.8 percent in Feb
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai hotels achieved a 3.4 percent year-on-year growth in occupancy levels, reaching 90.8 percent, according to preliminary...
- Other key metrics also showed positive growth, with the average daily rate (ADR) increasing by 9.3 percent to AED 887.06 ($241).
- The revenue per available room (RevPAR) rising by 13.1 percent to AED 805.21, according to CoStar, a provider of global real estate information.
Economy
Saudi foreign reserve assets decrease by 2% to $431bn in Feb
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's international reserve assets decreased by SAR 26.98 billion, or 2 percent, to SAR 1.619...
- On a yearly basis, the Kingdom’s foreign reserve assets plunged 5 percent, or SAR 78.2 billion, Argaam reported, citing Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) data.
- Foreign currency reserves, representing about 94 percent of total assets, fell by nearly 5 percent year-on-year (YoY) in February to SAR 1.526 trillion.
Business
Madinah first Arab city to gain Gold Level in UN’s SDG Cities Initiative
Madinah, Saudi Arabia -- The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recognized Madinah for attaining Gold Level in the...
- Madinah became the first Saudi and Arab city, and the third internationally, to receive this recognition of achievement.
- Last month, UNESCO announced that Madinah was one of the three Saudi cities --the others being King Abdullah Economic City and Al-Ahsa -- that joined the UNESCO Global Network.
Business
AI in Saudi Arabia: Most companies have a plan, few are ready
While 93 percent of companies in the kingdom have an AI strategy, only 8 percent feel fully prepared, according to...
- The Index assesses AI readiness across 6 pillars: strategy, infrastructure, data, talent, governance, and culture, surveying respondents from companies with 500 or more employees.
- Only 12 percent of organizations have networks equipped for AI workloads, and 70 percent lack sufficient cybersecurity for AI models.
Business
SAR and Maersk to transport more containers between 2 Saudi ports
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has signed a contract with the sea shipping company Maersk to increase...
- The contract will also help increase operational efficiency, decrease the number of trucks between Dammam and Riyadh cities, reduce emissions, and maintain road infrastructure.
- It will contribute to elevating Dammam Port to a regional station for global trade routes from the east to the local markets and countries in the region, said CEO SAR.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s IPI falls 8.8% in Jan on decrease in mining activity
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) continued to decline for the 13th month in a row,...
- Compared to Dec 2023, IPI increased by 0.3 percent supported by mining and quarrying activity, manufacturing activity and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation.
- On the other hand, the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity increased by 0.1 percent compared to December 2023.
Business
India, European EFTA bloc sign $100 billion free trade deal
The deal will see the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) -- made up of non-European Union nations, including Iceland and...
- EFTA was established in 1960 to promote free trade and economic integration between its members. In 2021, it was the 10th largest trader in the world in terms of merchandise.
- In recent years, India has signed trade agreements with Australia and the United Arab Emirates. A long-talked-about trade deal with Britain is also said to be in the final stages.
Business
Sharjah real estate transactions hit $844 million in February: Report
Sharjah, UAE -- Sharjah witnessed real estate deals worth AED 3.1 billion ($844 million) in February 2023, according to the...
- The total number of transactions carried out during February had reached 4,458 transactions.
- The sales transactions reached 1,048 representing 23.5 percent of the total number of transactions.
Business
Foreign banks in Dubai to pay 20% annual tax under new law
The law issued by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum exempts the foreign banks licensed to operate in...
- It stipulates that the 9% tax that went into effect last year will be deduced from the 20% annual tax if the foreign bank pays the tax under the country's corporate tax law.
- Violators will be fined up to AED500,000 ($136,150) and AED1 million in case of repeat violations within two years.
Saudi Arabia retains first rank in MENA Venture Capital funding in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of Venture Capital (VC) funding in...
Business
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Crude could spike by US$20 on Iran oil shock
Oil prices could shoot up US$20 per barrel if Iranian production sees a hit resulting from Israeli retaliation, according to...
Economy
MGX participation confirmed in OpenAI’s US$6.6bn in new funding, valuing it at US$157bn
OpenAI has finalized a deal to receive US$6.6 billion in new funding from investors who valued the company at US$157...
Business
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Economy
Abu Dhabi non-oil GDP up 6.6% in second quarter: SCAD
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi's GDP increased by 4.1 percent during the second quarter of 2024, compared to the...
- The construction sector achieved remarkable growth rates of 11.5 percent in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
- It is estimated that the financial sector grew by 13.4 percent in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
Business
Foreigners and institutions pour $4.9 billion into UAE equities
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Net investments by foreigners and institutions in UAE equities amounted to AED 18.3 billion ($4.9 billion)...
- Foreign investors "Arab and non-Arab" achieved net purchases in the two markets worth 15.5 billion dirhams during the same period.
- Institutions have achieved a net investment in the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange worth more than AED 1.6 billion.
Business
Saudi leisure tourism surges by 656% in 2024: Tourism Ministry
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, particularly the leisure and holiday segments, witnessed substantial growth in 2024.In a...
- The Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024, a 10 percent increase over the same period in 2023
- The Kingdom had set the goal of 100 million tourists by 2030, but achieved this milestone in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule.