UAE real GDP grows by 3.6% in first half of 2024, says economy minister
Non-oil sectors' contribution to GDP reaches 75%. Economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the growth reflects the dynamic...
Economy
Coal use at record high in 2024, the world’s hottest year: IEA
Paris, France -- World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday,...
Geostrategy
Business
PIF to buy Hadeed, Rajhi Steel
New firm will help Kingdom’s steel-making capacity.
- The transactions are in line with PIF’s broader efforts to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s industrial development.
- Move will help in construction, automotive, utilities, renewables, transport sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Business
UAE industrial, business sectors see 4% rise in cumulative credit balance by H1 2023
ABU DHABI, UAE - Credit facilities provided by national banks to the business and industrial sectors rose by US$7.7 billion...
- Credit facilities by national banks to business, industrial sectors in UAE rose by US$7.7 billion in H1 2023.
- As per CBUAE’s figures the two sectors saw a 4 percent rise in cumulative credit balance to US$203 billion by the end of June 2023.
Business
Iran’s non-oil exports reach US$19.3bn in March to July 2023
TEHRAN, IRAN - Some 56 million tons of non-oil goods, valued at US$19.3 billion, were exported in the first five...
- Also 14.4 million tons of non-oil goods, valued at US$24.2 billion were imported into the country from March 21, 2023 to July 22, 2023.
- In this period, China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey and India were Iran’s main export markets respectively.
Geostrategy
Global Islamic microfinance surpasses US$60bn, says industry professional
DUBAI, UAE - The global Islamic microfinance industry has surpassed US$60 billion in value within the $3.8 trillion Islamic finance...
- Despite ongoing efforts and UN Millennium Goals, global poverty eradication remains an unfinished task.
- There is a growing recognition of Islamic microfinance as a important tool for poverty alleviation globally.
Geostrategy
Tehran exports goods worth $7.2bn to West Asia in 4 months from March 2023
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran exported $7.2 billion worth of products to West Asian countries in the first four months of...
- Comprehensive strategic five-year plans have been defined for the West Asian countries with a focus on trade infrastructure.
- The plans include organizing and development of transportation platforms, banking exchanges, customs and standards.
Economy
Jordan oil bill falls in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022, says government
AMMAN, JORDANÂ - The value of the Kingdom's oil bill decreased during the first half of 2023 by 15.6 percent,...
- The value of Jordan’s imports of crude oil, its derivatives and mineral oils went down in the first half of 2023, to reach about JD1.531 billion.
- In the first half of 2022, the value of imports of crude oil, its derivatives and mineral oils was about JD1.813 billion.
Geostrategy
Russian foreign minister to lead delegation at UN General Assembly
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the country’s delegation to the 78th session of...
- In recent years, Russia’s delegation to the UN General Assembly has been headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly will begin in New York on September 19.
Business
ACWA Power is preferred bidder for DEWA’s Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis plant
DUBAI, UAE - MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said on Wednesday...
- This project is the largest of its kind in the world for water production based on Sea Water Reverse Osmosis technology using solar energy.
- The water desalination capacity in Dubai is currently 490 MIGD and this capacity will increase to 670 MIGD in 2026 with the completion of this project.
Business
4.4m travel by SAR in H1 2023
Train trips in H1 2023 rose 46 percent compared to H1 2022.
- The volume of minerals and goods transported over SAR networks during the second quarter of the year exceeded 6.34 million tons.
- The total volume of goods transported by SAR H1 2023 rose to over 12 million tons, a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Ceer and Siemens deal to boost EV in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh-based Ceer is collaborating with Siemens Digital Industries Software to accelerate Ceer’s digital transformation and empower its engineers to design...
- The Saudi-German collaboration is focused on accelerating Ceer’s digital transformation, vehicle development, and manufacturing
- Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software for vehicle design will be used by Ceer
UAE real GDP grows by 3.6% in first half of 2024, says economy minister
Non-oil sectors' contribution to GDP reaches 75%. Economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the growth reflects the dynamic...
Economy
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Latest News
UAE, Qatar Central banks keep interest rates unchanged towing the line with US Fed
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Qatar Central Bank (QCB) have decided to keep interest rates unchanged, following...
Economy
Oman aviation sector sees 16.4% passenger growth in first 4 months of 2024 Â
Oman witnesses a 16.4% growth in passenger traffic in early 2024The Sultanate of Oman’s aviation sector has experienced remarkable growth...
Arts & Culture
The Red Sea opens its third resort Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Red Sea has announced the opening of its third resort, Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve....
Business
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Business
UAE tax authority issues corporate tax guide for free-zone persons
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has issued a guide outlining the application of Corporate Tax to...
- It is in line with the Free Zone Corporate Tax regime, which enables Qualifying Free Zone Persons to benefit from a zero percent Corporate Tax rate on Qualifying Income.
- The guide includes many examples to assist Businesses with understanding how the key elements of the Corporate Tax Law apply to Free Zone Persons.
Business
Global tourism set to return to pre-Covid levels in 2024
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the only high-income economies to rank among the top 10 most improved economies between...
- The Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals (20 percent above the 2019 level).
- The top 10 countries in the 2024 edition are the United States, Spain, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy and Switzerland.
Economy
Qatar banking on AI with nearly $2.5 bn in investments
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani delivered on...
- Qatar is moving towards a comprehensive digital transformation by investing more in technology, innovation and AI
- The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) to issue guidelines on how to adapt artificial intelligence