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...
Analysis
IMF upgrades Saudi real GDP growth forecast to 6% in 2025, up from
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upwards its forecast for Saudi Arabia's economic growth to...
Economy
Business
Dana Gas net profit up 64%
The company reported net profit of $161m for 9M of 2022.
- In a bourse disclosure, the company said the gross revenue for the same period increase by 24 percent year on year to AED1.521 billion ($415 million).
- The gains in profit were driven by higher realized prices, “prudent cost control and strong operational performance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)”, the filing said.
Geostrategy
Biden’s upcoming foreign trip to focus on Climate, Ukraine, China
Biden's tour would include meetings of ASEAN and the Group of 20 industrialised nations in Cambodia and Indonesia.
- Biden's tour would include meetings of ASEAN and the Group of 20 industrialised nations in Cambodia and Indonesia
- The trip will begin two days after the US midterm elections which will determine whether Democrats keep their congressional majorities
Business
Villas, apartments form major chunk of $598m Dubai realty deals Tuesday
Dubai, UAE---Dubai real estate market recorded realty deals worth AED2.2 billion ($598 million) on Tuesday, according to the data by...
- The deals include 544 sales transactions worth AED1.64 billion, in addition to 78 mortgage deals of AED590.54 million.
- Residential properties in the UAE remain a top priority for international real estate investors.
Business
Al Arabia’s profit up 43%
Its profit rose to $52 million in first nine months.
- The Riyadh-based firm, partly owned by media giant MBC group, saw its revenue jump 64 percent to $216 million
- It added that the results were bolstered by the company's efforts to enhance regional expansion and enter new projects and strategic partnerships
Economy
AIIB, GEAPP partner to fund the energy transition in Asia and beyond
The partnership will address the energy transition challenges around the world through the identification of co-financing opportunities for projects.
- The partnership will address the energy transition challenges around the world through the identification of co-financing opportunities for projects
- The partnership follows extensive cooperation between AIIB and GEAPP over the last year and is the first time AIIB has partnered with a global foundations-led initiative
Videos
Video: TOP CEO Conference discusses fake news in May, months later social media giants take action
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms have reportedly blocked campaigns aimed at influencing opinion in Central Asia and...
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms have reportedly blocked campaigns aimed at influencing opinion in Central Asia and the Middle East
- Businesses in the MENA region are at an increased risk from online fake news which costs US$80 billion to the global economy every year
Geostrategy
Jordan sets up program to protect witnesses, whistleblowers
Amman, Jordan— Funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Jordan has launched a program aimed at better protecting...
- MP Omar Ayasra emphasized the significance of providing witnesses and whistleblowers with protection during a ceremony held on Monday to launch the project
- Secretary-General Ibrahim Majali revealed that only 10 percent of incoming complaints are followed up, while 90 percent proved untrue thus far
Economy
Global tourism now at around 70% of pre-pandemic levels: UNWTO
“Our job is to create jobs,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili told tourism sector leaders at the World Travel Market.
- “Our job is to create jobs,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili told tourism sector leaders at the World Travel Market
- The WTM offers a platform for public and private sector leaders, addresses tourism’s most pressing issues and sets the agenda for the years ahead
Business
Saudi signs agreements with Oman, Egypt to boost energy ties
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt—Saudi Arabia has signed two separate agreements with Oman and Egypt to boost ties in the energy field....
- The MoU between Saudi Arabia and Oman also includes cooperation on hydrogen as well as enhancing digital transformation in the energy field
- The Saudi-Egypt deal aims to enhance cooperation in the production and export of electricity from renewable energy, transport of clean hydrogen, and electrical interconnection
Business
UAE, Jordan and Israel advance Project Prosperity
The three nations vow to advance clean energy and sustainable water desalination projects announced last year, while UAE, Indonesia unveil...
- The three nations vow to advance clean energy and sustainable water desalination projects announced last year, while UAE, Indonesia unveil Mangrove Alliance for Climate at COP27
- Led by the UAE and Indonesia, the MAC initiative seeks to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of communities worldwide
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...
Analysis
Company News
EasyLease Q3 revenue $57.66m
Business
Mawani, SGP ink US$266m pact
Business
Latest News
World Bank to expand climate funding in MENA by $10 billion
Brhane said the World Bank integrated climate into all its work across the MENA region and is on track to...
COP28 UAE
PM issues law forming Dubai Investment Fund to oversee government investments
DUBAI, UAE – Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law...
Business
Most Read
Business
ENEC, X-energy sign agreement
The firms will collaborate on nuclear energy technologies.
- The MoU was signed at COP28 and comes in line with ENEC’s recently announced ADVANCE Program.
- The central aim of ENEC’s ADVANCE program is to harness the latest advancements in nuclear energy technologies.
Geostrategy
Mideast ministers met with Joly, Trudeau in Ottawa to discuss Israel-Hamas war
OTTAWA, CANADA — A group of foreign ministers from the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met Canadian Foreign Affairs...
- The quietly planned meeting focused on ways countries could help efforts to secure peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
- The group is not a joint peace project with Israel, and says its leaders aim to speak on behalf of Arab and Muslim people people.
Geostrategy
Israel must be held accountable for its actions, says Palestinian PM
DOHA, QATAR - Prime Minister of Palestine Mohammad Shtayyeh called for holding Israel accountable, imposing sanctions and not allowing it...
- The Palestinian PM denounced Washington’s use of veto against a UN draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
- He said that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive political solution that would end the suffering of the Palestinians.