Projectiles hit Iran’s Sirik, Minab, Qeshm Island as oil crosses $100 a barrel
Trump, meanwhile, says he expected the war to end “immediately after” the US midterm elections in November, alleging that Iran...
Geostrategy
Hidden liabilities behind major property deals
UAE property investors must look beyond certificates to uncover hidden fire-safety risks that could affect costs, valuations and returns, writes...
Opinion
Economy
Middle East & North Africa: Regulatory momentum and DeFi fuel crypto adoption
The Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region ranks as the seventh-largest crypto market globally in 2024, with an estimated...
- Centralized exchanges (CEXs) remain the primary source of crypto inflows across MENA
- Across MENA, stablecoins and altcoins are gaining market share over traditionally preferred assets like bitcoin and ether
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.
Geostrategy
DCO launches Digital Economy Navigator to bridge global digital gap
The navigator enables countries to better navigate their digital journeys, find opportunities for growth and benchmark progress,
- DEN was unveiled at SDG Digital, held this year during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York from September 10 to 27.
- DEN is a unifying framework that addresses digital economy maturity across 50 countries, including the DCO member states.
Business
Global tourism nears full recovery, led by Middle East’s 26% growth in 2024
While Europe and Americas have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, the Middle East's growth outpaces all other regions, UN World...
- Globally, international tourism reached 96 percent of pre-pandemic levels during the same period, with around 790 million tourists, an 11 percent increase over 2023.
- In terms of tourism revenue, 47 out of 63 countries with available data reported a return to pre-pandemic earnings.
Business
UAE banks’ Q2 investments in Islamic certificates, cash bills surge to $61.81bn
The banking sector in the country maintained strong capital adequacy, exceeding Basel 3 requirements, according to the Central Bank.
- Statistics showed that the foreign assets of the Central Bank increased by 5.3 percent year-on-year to reach AED 770.6 billion.
- The total capital and reserves of banks operating in the UAE increased by 3.9 percent to AED 495.2 billion at the end of the second quarter.
Business
Middle East renewable energy projects investments reach $75bn
London, UK -- The Middle East is moving towards investing $75.63 billion in renewable energy projects until 2030, according to...
- These investments include 116 renewable energy projects, which are expected to be operational between 2025 and 2030.
- Large solar projects, such as the fifth phase of the Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Solar Park, are making significant progress.
Business
TAQA launches new corporate identity
Abu Dhabi Energy Services will be renamed as TAQA Services.
- TAQA also announced that ADDC and Al Ain Distribution Company will merge under a new unified company.
- The Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO) will be renamed TAQA Transmission Networks,
Business
Saudi surpasses Vision 2030 tourism target, says IMF report
Tourism is a major contributor to the Kingdom's economic diversification efforts, the IMF notes in its 2024 Article IV Consultation...
- The sector's direct and indirect contribution to GDP reached 11.5 percent in 2023, with expectations to grow to 16 percent by 2034.
- Central to this growth has been a combination of strong domestic demand and increased international arrivals.
Projectiles hit Iran’s Sirik, Minab, Qeshm Island as oil crosses $100 a barrel
Trump, meanwhile, says he expected the war to end “immediately after” the US midterm elections in November, alleging that Iran...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
US strikes Iran for tenth night after Tehran attacks bases in Bahrain, Kuwait
The US State Department issued a worldwide security alert, urging American citizens to exercise increased caution because of heightened tensions...
Geostrategy
Burnham names new cabinet after replacing Starmer as UK prime minister
Britain's new leader pledged a 10-year plan to ease living costs, re-industrialize the economy and decentralize power while reshaping his...
Geostrategy
Kuwait’s annual inflation rises 2.19 percent in June
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased by 2.19% year-on-year at the end...
Business
Most Read
Business
Saudi public investment funds assets rise 20 percent in Q1 to $61 billion
Dubai, UAE -- Assets of Saudi Arabia's public investment funds rose 20 percent year-on-year to SAR231.7 billion ($61.8 billion) in...
- Assets of local funds increased 17 percent from a year earlier to SAR192.1 billion, accounting for 83 percent of total public investment fund assets, Argaam reported.
- Assets of foreign funds, which represented the remaining 17 percent of total assets, rose 35 percent year-on-year to about SAR39.6 billion, according to the report.
Geostrategy
UAE says retraction of Dubai ‘explosions’ report will not halt probe
Dubai, UAE -- The government has said that Reuters' decision to withdraw and apologise for a report claiming explosions were...
- Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the Public Prosecution had expanded its investigation into the publication and circulation of the report.
- Reuters said on Friday it had withdrawn the July 16 report because it did not meet the news agency's editorial standards.
Business
Abu Dhabi real estate transactions more than double in H1
Data released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) showed total real estate transactions reached $31.9 billion in the...
- Foreign investment jumped 309 percent while new investment zones and projects underscored growing global confidence in Abu Dhabi property.
- The number of nationalities represented by non-resident investors rose to 116 from 82 a year earlier.