Riyadh Air adds five routes as first Dreamliners arrive
The expansion marks an early test of Saudi Arabia's ambition to build Riyadh into a major international aviation hub.
Business
US, Israel planned Ahmadinejad return in Iran regime change bid: report
Israeli and US officials had initially viewed former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential figure to lead Iran following...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Dubai Islamic Bank completes $1bn sovereign financing Pakistan
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has announced the successful completion of a landmark US$1 billion syndicated term-finance facility...
- The five-year facility is an innovative transaction, partially guaranteed by a Policy-Based Guarantee (PBG) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- DIB acted as the Sole Islamic Global Coordinator and alongside Standard Chartered also served as the Joint Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner.
Business
Saudi chocolate industry booms with over 3,500 commercial records
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- On the World Chocolate Day, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce announced that the total number of...
- Riyadh leads the Kingdom in chocolate manufacturing, boasting 1,490 commercial records.
- Saudi Arabia is the region’s biggest market for chocolates and, in 2024, the Kingdom imported a whopping 123 million kg of chocolate.
Geostrategy
Iran voices ‘serious doubts’ over Israel’s commitments, including the ceasefire
Iran also writes to the UN chief to recognize the Israeli regime and the United States as the "initiators of...
- According to Iran's health ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed and 4,900 injured during the 12-day war with Israel.
- Retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli authorities.
Geostrategy
Airlines suspend or reduce flights in Middle East after Iran strikes
British Airways cancelled flights between London's Heathrow Airport and Dubai and Doha on Sunday following the US strikes on Iran....
- Germany's Lufthansa group, whose other airlines include Swiss, Austrian and ITA, has suspended flights to the Middle East until June 30.
- Turkish airline Pegasus has scrapped flights to Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon until June 30, and Iran until July 30.
Geostrategy
MENA Brief | June 19: GCC central banks hold interest rates steady, Diriyah House launched in London
As most currencies in the region are pegged to the US dollar, monetary policy follows the decisions taken in Washington,...
- Saudi-based Cluster2 Airports Company signed a strategic MoU with Airbus. The agreement will see the deployment of the Agnet Turnaround platform across Cluster2’s 22 airports.
- Saudi National Bank (SNB) has issued $1.25 billion in Tier 2 bonds at a 6% profit rate under its $10 billion Euro Medium Term Note program.
Economy
MENA Brief – June 16: Netanyahu eyes Gaza breakthrough, Iran rejects talks, Trump at G7, UAE oil giant bids big
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there’s a fresh opening to free hostages held in Gaza, backing a US-mediated proposal...
- In major energy news, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company has launched an $18.7 billion takeover bid for Australia’s Santos, offering a 28% premium
- The UAE’s economic momentum remains strong: its GDP grew 4% in 2024 to AED1.77 trillion, driven by a 5% rise in non-oil sectors
Geostrategy
MENA Brief June 14: Iran-Israel War, Abu Dhabi Summit, Saudi Football Rise, & More
Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military...
- Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military leaders and hit nuclear sites
- French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the planned UN conference on a two-state solution in New York has been delayed due to security and logistical concerns
Analysis
MENA Brief: Key Geopolitical, Defence, and Innovation Updates – June 11, 2025
Regional tensions, high-stakes defence deals, and new innovation-led collaborations defined the Middle East and North Africa landscape on Wednesday. Here’s...
- Turkey announced a landmark agreement to supply 48 domestically produced KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets to Indonesia
- Kuwait announced that expatriates working in the private sector will now require employer consent to leave the country
Geostrategy
MENA brief Jun 11: Umrah returns, ADGM surges, Abu Dhabi property market up
China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral...
- Mashreq Bank’s debut $500 million sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai under its $2.5 billion program offers a 5.03 % profit yield.
- Nigeria’s planned $5 billion oil‑backed loan with Saudi Aramco is stalled amid falling Brent crude prices and production constraints.
Economy
From Iran Talks to Dubai Metro: Key Middle East Developments You Need to Know on June 10, 2025
Key developments across the Middle East today highlight regional diplomatic, economic and humanitarian trends
- Sheikh Mohammed launches 30km expansion featuring world's highest metro station (74m) to serve growing population
- After 12-year exclusion, Damascus prepares to reconnect to global banking network to formalize trade
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Riyadh Air adds five routes as first Dreamliners arrive
The expansion marks an early test of Saudi Arabia's ambition to build Riyadh into a major international aviation hub.
Business
Company News
Latest News
To build a knowledge economy, the GCC must bet on its young minds
In Saudi Arabia, more than 60 percent of the population is under 30, and across the GCC, over 50 percent...
Opinion
Who has been invited to be on Trump’s Gaza boards?
The White House said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant...
Geostrategy
Global economy set for “sturdy growth” in 2026, MENA growth to outpace global economy
The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to outperform the global economy in 2026, with GDP projected to...
Economy
Most Read
Business
UAE’s AI Office announces Google Gemini as top model in ‘AI in the Ring’ Index
Dubai, UAE - The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office announced that Google Gemini has ranked...
- Gemini earned the top ranking following a review of over 400 questions and 5,200 generated responses from 11 major language models
- A Committee of Emirati experts evaluated the outputs to identify which models demonstrated the strongest cultural understanding
Business
GCC countries attract $523.4bn in foreign investment in 2023
Muscat, Oman -- The GCC countries have seen a steady rise in foreign investment, according to data from the Statistical...
- Intra-GCC investments rise to $130 billion, aided by infrastructure, technology improvements, and modern legislation boosting regional business attractiveness.
- Capital markets grow to $4.2 trillion as corporate profits improve and institutional investments continue despite global economic uncertainties.
Geostrategy
Riyadh, Washington seal major defense agreement amid Saudi push for two-state roadmap before Israel normalization
Saudi Crown Prince said that his kingdom wanted to normalize relations with Israel through US President Donald Trump's Abraham Accords,...
- The agreement comes within the framework of the long-standing strategic partnership and the deep-rooted ties that have united the two countries for more than ninety years
- It affirms that Saudi Arabia and the United States are capable security partners, able to work together to confront regional and international challenges and threats.