Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria takes #2 spot in global crypto adoption
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the global cryptocurrency economy’s smallest share, representing 2.7% of transaction volume worldwide between July 2023 and...
Economy
How Pakistan is becoming a top tech hub in the GCC
Pakistan's IT sector is thriving, with growing exports and recognition as a tech hub, driven by government support, skilled talent,...
Economy
Geostrategy
Earth to warm up to 2.9C even with current climate pledges, says UN
PARIS, FRANCE - Countries' greenhouse gas-cutting pledges put Earth on track for warming far beyond key limits, potentially up to a...
- The UN Environment Program's annual Emissions Gap report is released just ahead of crucial COP28 climate talks in Dubai .
- Taking into account countries' carbon-cutting plans, UNEP warned that the planet is on a path for disastrous heating of between 2.5C and 2.9C by 2100.
Business
ACWA Power starts commercial ops at phase 2 of Dubai’s Noor Energy
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – ACWA Power Co said it received the initial commercial operation certificate from the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority...
- The second phase is part of a 950 MW solar CSP independent power project, the company said .
- The financial impact from the full capacity (950 MW) is expected to show starting from the first quarter 2024.
Business
48,616 firms register with Dubai Chamber of Commerce in January-September 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has...
- The total value of exports and re-exports of member companies reached $57 billion in January- September 2023.
- The strong growth underlines Dubai’s attractiveness among both companies and investors,
Business
Saudi EXIM Bank, Obeikan AGC ink pact
Obeikan AGC Glass will have an export credit insurance policy.
- This partnership will enable Obeikan AGC Glass to secure their international sales against non-payment risks posed by global buyers.
- This agreement significantly amplifies the prospects for growth and penetration into new regional and international markets.
Economy
Dubai Customs logs 13% growth in transactions in first nine months of 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Customs has experienced a robust 13 percent increase with 21.6 million transactions during the first nine...
- The upswing aligns with the targets of Dubai’s economic agenda D33, which seeks to double foreign trade.
- By the end of the third quarter of 2023, Dubai Customs had processed approximately 18.8 million customs declarations.
Geostrategy
Israel police claim Hamas was not aware of a music festival on October 7
DUBAI - An investigation carried out by Israeli police has concluded that Hamas, involved in the October 7 attack, had...
- The police probe revealed that an Israeli military helicopter arrived at the scene and opened heavy fire.
- The development comes as Israel revised the official death toll of the October 7 attacks, lowering the figure to around 1,200 people.
Business
NBM’s board approves increasing Murabaha sukuk issue to $133m
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - National Building and Marketing Co’s (NBM) board of directors approved an increase of Murabaha SAR-denominated sukuk...
- The move aims to boost the company's capital expansions and working capital, the company said in a statement.
- The sukuk issue was amended from a private placement to a public offering, the company said.
Geostrategy
Blinken calls on Israel to stop settler violence in West Bank: Report
Israeli settler violence has increased significantly since the outbreak of the ongoing Israeli genocide campaign in Gaza, rising from an...
- Blinken said there is urgent need for affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions in West Bank, which includes curbing settler violence
- Blinken’s comments came as Israeli occupation forces carried out raids in the occupied West Bank and continued its raids of several of Gaza’s major hospitals
Business
$5.8bn worth deals signed in first four days of Dubai Airshow 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Tawazun Council signed 16 deals, worth US$1.3 billion (AED 4.87 billion), with local and international companies on...
- The first day saw announcement of contracts worth US$1.2 billion and the second day US$1.8 billion
- The total value of contracts announced on third day stood at US$1.3 billion
Business
UAE defense ministry orders 100 REACH-S unmanned aircraft from EDGE
DUBAI, UAE - EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defense groups, announced its first major order from...
- ADASI, an EDGE entity which designs and develops autonomous systems, will oversee the production and deliver the contract to the UAE Armed Forces.
- The REACH-S will provide the UAE Armed Forces with a cost-effective, 24-hour intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria takes #2 spot in global crypto adoption
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the global cryptocurrency economy’s smallest share, representing 2.7% of transaction volume worldwide between July 2023 and...
Economy
Company News
e& 2023 net profit is US$2.8bn
Business
Latest News
UAE launches first legally established financial ombudsman unitÂ
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sanadak, UAE's and MENA region's first legally established independent Ombudsman Unit catering to consumers of financial...
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...
Business
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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