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
e& 2023 net profit is US$2.8bn
e& said the net profit is a growth of 3 percent year-over-year.
- Consolidated revenues reached US$14.6 billion which is a growth of 8.3 percent year-over-year.
- Consolidated EBITDA rose by 3.7 percent year-over-year at constant exchange rates, to US$7.1 billion.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s oil exports fall by $13 billion in fourth quarter of 2023
In December, oil exports fell by SAR 13.5 billion or 15.8% to SAR 72 billion ($19 billion) from SAR 85.5...
- Non-oil exports (including re-exports) decreased by 1.2 percent, compared to Q4 2022, decreasing to SAR 71.1 billion from SAR 71.9 billion in Q4 2022.
- In Q4 2023, exports to China amounted to SAR 50.2 billion (16.9 percent of total exports), making this country the main destination for the Kingdom’s exports.
Business
Construction costs set to rise in UAE, Saudi Arabia in 2024: Report
Dubai, UAE -- Construction costs are set to increase in the UAE by 2-3 percent, and in Saudi Arabia by 5-7...
- Construction costs are set to increase in the UAE by 2-3 percent, and in Saudi Arabia by 5-7 percent in 2024.
- Increases will challenge construction firms, which will need to develop new processes and capabilities to keep costs under control and projects on track.
Business
Qatar’s Industrial Production Index up 3.9% in Dec 2023
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's Industrial Production index (IPI) in December 2023 reached 95.3 points, an increase of 3.9 percent compared...
- IPI reflects the growth of details of the growth of the various industrial economic sectors, with different relative weights, such mining and quarrying (82.46 percent).
- The index of mining sector showed an increase by 5 percent compared to the previous month, due to increase in the quantities of crude oil petroleum and natural gas.
Economy
Oil may rise to $100, gold to hit $3,000 by 2025, says Citi
ABU DHABI, UAE - Oil prices could rise to $100 per barrel and gold prices could reach $3,000 per ounce...
- Analysts say gold is currently trading at $2,016 and could surge by about 50 percent if central banks dramatically increase purchases.
- Another factor that could drive gold prices is the global economy's deep recession, which could prompt the Federal Reserve to cut rates rapidly.
Business
Saudi National Bank launches US dollar-denominated sukuk
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi National Bank (SNB) commenced the US dollar-denominated senior unsecured sukuk issuance through a special-purpose vehicle. The sukuk are offered to qualified...
- The sukuk are offered to qualified investors inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
- The amount and sukuk’s terms of offer will be subject to market conditions.
Geostrategy
‘Israeli army tortures and rapes Palestinian girls’
The experts have expressed concern that an unknown number of Palestinian women and children, including girls, have reportedly gone missing...
- Palestinian women and girls have reportedly been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often together with family members, including their children, a UN press statement said
- Experts have called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into the allegations and for Israel to cooperate with such investigations.
Business
stc 2023 revenues is $19.28bn
Gross profit for 2023 rose 1.1 percent compared to 2022.
- The growth was mainly attributed to the increase in commercial unit revenues by 5.1 percent
- It was also due to rise in carriers and wholesale unit revenues by 1.4 percent in stc KSA,.
Business
Construction in China-Saudi Arabia ethylene project begins
FUZHOU, CHINA - Construction of the main complex of a joint-investment ethylene project, which involves petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries...
- The project is being built in the Gulei petrochemicals base in Zhangzhou city, in eastern China’s Fujian Province.
- The project entails a total investment of $6.3 billion from SABIC and Fujian Energy Petrochemical Group Co. Ltd.
Business
Iran-EU trade surpasses US$5bn in 2023, says Eurostat
TEHRAN, IRAN - The Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) reported that Iran and the 27 European Union member...
- Trade between Iran and member states of the EU recorded a decrease of 9 percent from January to December 2023.
- During that period, the exchange of products between Iran and the EU member states was valued at US$5 billion.
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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
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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...
Geostrategy
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
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...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
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...
- Egypt and Turkey continue their coordination on ceasefire efforts and humanitarian aid, as diplomatic momentum struggles against on-ground escalation.
- The ICRC has warned that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with medical infrastructure under increasing strain from ongoing hostilities.
Economy
MENA Outlook: Diversification, AI, and economic integration take centre stage
As the region pivots toward a post-oil future, recent developments across the Middle East and North Africa suggest an accelerating...
- Saudi government announced a $5.6 billion fertilizer JV between SABIC and Aramco, while also adopting new green building codes to reduce emissions
- From launching the world’s first AI-powered media council to streamlining family business, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reinventing the regulatory ecosystem to attract global capital
Economy
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...
- This adjustment from earlier estimates reflects the impact of extended oil production cuts and a slower-than-expected rebound in oil output.
- The IMF anticipates that inflation will remain contained, with an average annual rate holding steady at 2.1 percent in 2025 and easing slightly to 2 percent the following year.