Zawiya 97: New cultural hub for handicrafts in historic Jeddah
Jeddah - Zawiya 97, a new cultural hub for handicrafts in Historic Jeddah, located next to Nassif House, combines heritage...
Arts & Culture
Business
Amman Chamber of Industry exports for January-February 2024 reaches $1.3bn
AMMAN, JORDAN - Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) exports amounted to US$1.3 billion (JD926 million) during the last two months...
- During the first two months of 2024, India, the US, Saudi Arabia and Iraq accounted for the majority of ACI’s exports.
- The chamber's exports to the US surged during the first two months of 2024 to about US$297 million compared to US$275 million.
Business
Saudi Tourism Authority, Trip.com Group sign global agreement
BERLIN, GERMANY – Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Trip.com Group have announced a significant global partnership, which will drive greater...
- The joint effort aims to bring over 350 thousand additional tourists to Saudi over the course of the agreement.
- The partnership is vital as it coincides with exceptional growth and transformation in the global tourism industry.
Business
UAE launches first legally established financial ombudsman unit
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sanadak, UAE's and MENA region's first legally established independent Ombudsman Unit catering to consumers of financial...
- Sanadak's focus is on safeguarding consumers rights and resolving complaints that arise from dealings with financial institutions and licensed insurance companies.
- Sanadak reduces the need to take claims to courts and judicial authorities, thereby bolstering consumer confidence and elevating the protection of financial consumer rights.
Business
Burjeel Holdings net profit up
The company’s 2023 annual revenue rises to US$1.2 billion.
- The group continued to implement its geographic expansion strategy with the launch of the PhysioTherabia rehabilitation network in Saudi Arabia.
- It opened eight new centers in March 2024 in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, and Yanbu which significantly expanded its geographical reach.
Business
Over 105m people visit Dubai Mall in 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Mall welcomed a record 105 million visitors in 2023, a jump of over 19 percent on...
- Figures also showed a staggering 20 million people visited the mall in the first two months of this year alone.
- The mall's events and promotions in 2023 and the beginning of 2024 were a key driver of its foot traffic.
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Manager’s Index rises to 57.2 points in Feb
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The seasonally adjusted Riyadh Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), formerly S&P Global Saudi Arabia...
- The PMI is a weighted average of five indices – new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times, stocks of purchases.
- In January, the index reached its lowest level in two years, indicating a strong but weaker improvement in Saudi non-oil private sector.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to imprison, fine people for helping, employing illegal immigrants
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Directorate of Public Security stressed that anyone who facilitates the entry, transfer or employment of...
- The means of transportation used for bringing illegal immigrants will be confiscated.
- The housing unit used to shelter illegal immigrants will be confiscated, as per the law.
Business
Zain KSA net profit $335m
The company's fourth-quarter net profit was $78 million.
- The telecom services provider said its revenue rose 8.9 percent year-on-year (YoY) to an all-time high of SAR 9.9 billion in 2023.
- Gross profit increased 10 percent YoY. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached SAR 2.97 billion.
Geostrategy
OIC to hold extraordinary meeting on Israeli aggression on March 5
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an extraordinary meeting of its Council of Foreign...
- OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha is expected to address the opening session, which will be preceded by a preparatory senior officials' meeting
- On October 11, 2023, Saudi Arabia hosted the extraordinary Joint Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, organized by the OIC and the Arab League
Business
ADIB 2023 net profit $1.4bn
The bank achieved a Return on Equity of 27.1 percent.
- ADIB achieved record-breaking performance in 2023, with significant growth across all its businesses.
- Enhancing its digital presence, the bank saw a rise in actively digital customers through improvements to its mobile app.
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
Company News
Latest News
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...
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....
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,...
Geostrategy
Most Read
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.