Key MENA trends: M&A surge to five-year high, Saudi port activity rises in May
Qatar's foreign reserves rise 3.6 percent year-on-year despite a dip in bonds and treasury holdings, Iraq releases Australian and Egyptian...
Economy
With AI and more shade, Saudi Arabia set for a searing hajj
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than...
Geostrategy
Economy
GASTAT issues FDI statistics of Saudi Arabia for Q4 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued on Friday the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for...
- Total FDI in Saudi Arabia's economy during Q4 of 2023 totaled about US$5 billion.
- GASTAT said the results are based on a household survey conducted by the authority.
Economy
Gulf nations embark on defense industry localization
Saudi Arabia leads GCC efforts towards defense self-reliance by creating the first military industries committee, aiming to reduce foreign imports...
- Saudi Arabia leads GCC efforts towards defense self-reliance by creating the first military industries committee, aiming to reduce foreign imports and enhance local capabilities.
- The initiative targets over 50 percent nationalization of the military industry by 2030, driven by economic and technological sovereignty, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030.
Business
flydubai adds two Saudi destinations
Flights to Al Jouf Airport and Red Sea Airport to start from April 18.
- flydubai has built a network of 129 destinations across 58 countries and is served by a fleet of 86 Boeing 737 aircraft.
- Since the start of 2024, flydubai has inaugurated operations to Langkawi, Mombasa and Penang and has announced the start of flights to Basel, Riga.
Arts & Culture
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi wins Guinness World Records
ABU DHABI, UAE – SeaWorld Yas Island - the region’s first Marine Life Theme Park here -, has won a...
- SeaWorld Yas Island has won the Guinness World Records for being the “Largest Indoor Marine-Life Theme Park” in the world.
- The certificate was presented to Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, and the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi leadership.
Business
ESA, SAP ink agreement
ESA will consolidate operations under a single ERP solution
- ESA will benefit from a streamlined and integrated system, improving visibility and control over all of its operations.
- ESA will be using an integrated supply chain model that eliminates process silos, predicts disruptions.
Business
CATRION 2023 profit up 10%
The company said that net profit, however, dropped 35% in Q4.
- The company' board has announced a cash dividend of SAR90 million for the second half of 2023.
- The company's revenue increased from SAR 1.818 billion in 2022 to SAR 2.133 billion in 2023, due to the inflight catering segment as well as non-aviation catering services.
Geostrategy
Middle East oil policies not dictated by US, says Russia
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – US will no longer be able to dictate oil prices in the Middle East, Director of the...
- The US cannot dictate prices, although they would like to as the world is becoming a multipolar one, a Russian official said.
- "This multipolarity is expressed in particular in the existence of the group of countries known as OPEC+," he added.
Business
Tabreed approves record dividend
The cash dividend of 15.5 fils per share was okayed at Tabreed's AGA.
- As disclosed in the company’s recent full-year results for 2023, this represents an increase of 15 percent over the previous year.
- Tabreed’s AGA also confirmed the appointment of two new board members: Geert Bunkens and Marion Deridder Blondel.
Business
Masdar to buy stake in Terra-Gen
Masdar to buy 50 percent stake in Terra-Gen from ECP.
- Masdar’s US portfolio of utility-scale wind, solar and storage assets has a generating capacity of over 1.4 GW.
- The US market will play a vital role as Masdar plans to build a renewable energy portfolio of 100 GW capacity by 2030
UAE announces monthly allowance of 50% of basic salary for imams, muezzins
Abu Dhabi, UAE - United Arab Emirates has announced a provision of a monthly financial allowance equivalent to 50 percent...
- Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of GAIAE, noted that this initiative is a gesture of appreciation from the President
- Imams and muezzins, he added, diligently uphold a conducive environment of worship and serenity
Key MENA trends: M&A surge to five-year high, Saudi port activity rises in May
Qatar's foreign reserves rise 3.6 percent year-on-year despite a dip in bonds and treasury holdings, Iraq releases Australian and Egyptian...
Economy
Company News
Meraas awards $544m contract
Business
Latest News
ADNOC L&S 2024 net profit $756m
Business
Borouge proposes share buyback
The company had posted a 24% YoY increase in net profit to $1.24bn.
Business
DAE to acquire 17 aircraft for $1 bn
This portfolio comprises 100 percent next-generation aircraft
Business
Most Read
Interview
Tech and sustainability drive Singapore’s smart tourism vision
To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and...
- STB’s Tcube, a hybrid innovation space launched in 2021, has helped tourism businesses introduce tech solutions, including Al, into their operations.
- More than 1,100 tourism companies have benefited from Tcube programs. Its Singapore Tourism Accelerator has supported 47 start-ups to develop 58 industry solutions across 6 cohorts
Business
Salik 2024 net profit before taxes $348m
The toll operator's revenue increased by 6% to $626 million.
- The company said that EBITDA for the full year reached AED1.6 billion, a 13.6 percent YoY growth.
- The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of AED619.8 million to be paid during H1 2025 (equivalent to 8.2645 fils per share).
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate 2 percent in Jan, rental prices main driver
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate in Jan 2025 reached 2 percent compared to January 2024, the...
- According to GASTAT, Saudi Arabia's inflation rate is considered the lowest among the G20 countries.
- CPI measures the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items.