Desert truffles: Saudi Arabia’s buried treasure
The 10-day Qassim Truffle Festival, currently in its fourth year, features 18 booths showcasing truffles, a dedicated auction area and...
Business
Business
Qatar’s Jan Producer Price Index decreases by 4.38 percent
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's General Producer Price Index (PPI) for January 2024 is estimated at 113.22 points showing a decrease...
- On Y-o-Y basis, PPI of January 2024 showed a decrease of 12.63 percent, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).
- The PPI of January 2024 for Mining and Quarrying sector showed a decrease of 5.22 percent when compared with PPI of December 2023.
Business
Iraq economy likely to grow this year, says IMF
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Economic growth of the country is projected to continue amid fiscal expansion, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)...
- Medium-term vulnerabilities to oil price volatility have increased significantly, the IMF said.
- Growth in the non-oil sector has rebounded strongly in 2023 while inflation has receded.
Business
Sharjah government issues 12-year bonds worth $750 million
Sharjah, UAE -- Bank of Sharjah has acted as a joint lead manager and bookrunner in Sharjah government's issuance of...
- The bond attracted significant investor interest, evidenced by an order book that exceeded $4 billion.
- The issuance was priced with a spread of 195 basis points over US Treasuries, significantly tighter than the initial guidance of 235 basis points.
Business
Total value of Saudi Arabia’s export of dates reaches US$389m in 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - According to data released by the National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD), the value of...
- By the end of 2023, the number of countries importing Saudi Arabian dates had reached 119.
- The total value of date and date-byproduct exports increased by 152.5 percent since 2016.
Business
UAE airports surpass 134 million passenger mark in 2023: GCAA
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said Thursday that the...
- Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, attributed this achievement to the robustness and competitiveness of the UAE aviation sector.
- Al Suwaidi highlighted that UAE airports recorded approximately 38 million arrivals, 37.805 million departures, and 58.328 million transit passengers in 2023.
Business
Saudi Arabia permits over 350 firms to open regional HQ, mostly in Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has granted permission to more than 350 international companies to open their regional headquarters...
- Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih said the Kingdom is transforming comprehensively through Vision 2030 by turning its economy green.
- He highlighted that new economic sector like the digital economy, and tourism will immensely develop human capital, demanding diverse skills and a new global outlook.
Business
Bitcoin hits $60,000 as ETFs draw in new investors
London, United Kingdom -- Bitcoin passed the $60,000 mark on Wednesday, approaching its all-time high and continuing its unbridled rise since...
- At 1325 GMT, bitcoin traded at about $60,301, closing in on its all-time high of $68,991 -- that was struck in November 2021 and which some analysts believe is now within reach.
- Since their approval on January 10 by US securities regulators, exchange-traded funds indexed to bitcoin have theoretically enabled a wider public to invest in the cryptocurrency.
Business
Mubadala Capital, Woori sign partnership
The two firms will explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.
- They will establish a dedicated working committee to facilitate cooperation and dialogue between both organizations.
- Chang Kyu Kim, CEO of Woori Venture Partners emphasized the potential for mutual growth and affirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation among group entities in the future.
Geostrategy
Palestinians reduced to antagonists in someone else’s story: Queen Rania
In a powerful speech at the first-ever Web Summit Qatar conference, while calling for an immediate end to the war...
- Palestinian story has been obscured, allowing Palestinians to be dehumanized, discredited, and “turned into a people unto whom anything can be done, without consequence.”
- Their many attempts at non-violent resistance – from historic strikes and civil disobedience, to Gaza’s Great March of Return – have been crushed, even criminalized,” she said.
Business
Luberef net profit falls 24%
Decline attributed to lower prices for base oils, secondary products.
- The company also reported a decrease in base oils and secondary products’ cracking margins, despite higher sales volumes.
- The fourth-quarter net profit dropped 65 percent to SAR 268.7 million from SAR 763.19 million in Q4 2022.
Company News
EGA buys 80% stake in Spectro
Business
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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...
Business
UAE captures 30% of Middle East cinema market share in 8 months
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE cinema sector achieved revenues of AED 517 million during the first eight months of...
Business
Saudi non-oil exports increase by 19 percent in July: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports, including re-exports, during July 2024 amounted to SAR25.4 billion ($6.76 billion), compared...
Business
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Business
Masdar acquires Saeta Yield
The deal is estimated to be valued at $1.4 billion.
- Saeta is a leading independent developer, owner and operator of renewable energy assets.
- Masdar recently announced an agreement with Endesa to become a portfolio asset partner for Spain's 2.5 GW renewable energy projects.
Geostrategy
Media gag and manufactured consent: Israel’s campaign against Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon: On Sunday, Israeli troops stormed the Al Jazeera office in the occupied West Bank and issued a 45-day...
- Israel's claim last year that Gaza's largest Al-Shifa Hospital housed Hamas command center was debunked by many.
- Before launching deadly strikes on Lebanon, Israeli military released videos claiming civilian homes housed arms.
Business
ADNOC Distribution H1 dividend $350m
The total dividend for 2024 is expected to be $700 million.
- The second and final portion of 2024 dividend is expected to be paid in April 2025, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors and shareholder approval.
- The company's cash dividend paid since its initial public offering totaled AED 16.2 billion ($4.4 billion), including cash dividends for the first half of 2024.