GCC countries record $587.8 billion in nominal GDP by end of Q4 2024
Muscat, Oman -- The nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached US$587.8 billion by...
Economy
Business
Ahli Islamic signs agreement with AAOIFI to support Islamic banking
MUSCAT, OMAN - As part of its ongoing efforts to support the Islamic banking industry, ahli Islamic signed a Memorandum...
- The aim is to collaborate in capacity building within ahli Islamic and foster the growth of the Islamic finance sector in Oman.
- The signing ceremony occurred concurrently with the AAOIFI-IsDB 18th Annual Islamic Banking and Finance Conference.
Business
Dragon Oil, Turkmennebit ink MoU
Aim is to expand Dragon Oil’s investments in Turkmenistan.
- Dragon Oil has been engaged in oil and gas cooperation with Turkmenistan on the basis of a production sharing agreement since 2000.
- The company’s primary focus is on the extraction of hydrocarbon resources in the Caspian Sea, in the Cheleken Contract Area.
Business
Dubai Center for Family Businesses issues guidelines
DUBAI, UAE – The Dubai Center for Family Businesses, which operates under the Dubai Chambers umbrella, has released a ‘Sample...
- The ‘Sample Article of Association for Family Businesses’ outlines a set of options for companies to update their contracts.
- The Article of Association takes into account the requirements of family businesses who are registered as limited liability companies (LLCs).
Business
Penguin, SkyBlue ink MoU
The aim is to redefine outdoor media advertising in Abu Dhabi.
- Penguin and SkyBlue will collaborate on key advertising locations, with this being the Malaysian firm’s first move into the Abu Dhabi market.
- This follows an agreement between the Malaysian outdoor advertising company with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.
Business
Invest Qatar launches azure open AI GPT-powered chatbot ‘Ai.SHA’
DOHA, QATAR - The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) has partnered with Microsoft to develop Ai.SHA, an innovative AI-powered...
- This initiative positions Invest Qatar as one of the first investment promotion agencies (IPA) in the world to adopt advanced technology.
- This will pave the way for transformative changes in professional interactions between investors and businesses in Qatar.
Arts & Culture
Over 12m people visit Riyadh Season in 60 days
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Two months after their launch, on October 11, 2023, Riyadh Season events had already attracted 12...
- Riyadh Season attracts large number of visitors with different kinds of activities and experiences.
- It is one of the major Saudi events that establishes new concepts in the world of entertainment.
Geostrategy
Jordan takes steps to raise position in Global Food Security Index, says minister
AMMAN, JORDAN - Agriculture Minister Khaled Al-Hneifat said the ministry has been working hard over the past year to create...
- One of the points to achieve this goal are the creation of a national database for food security.
- The other is the issuance of a unique system for the Food Security Council, the minister said.
Economy
Najran extends MoU with Ayan for Commerce & Industry
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's Najran Cement Company has announced the extension of its non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU)...
- This extension comes as a result of the ongoing valuation and due diligence processes, which are yet to be completed
- The original MOU, signed on October 19, 2023, was set to pave the way for a potential collaboration between the two companies
Geostrategy
Iranian warship enters Red Sea, reports media
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran's Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait, Tasnim news agency reported...
- The news agency did not give specific reasons for its deployment, but noted that Iranian military vessels had operated in the area since 2009.
- According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 12 percent of global trade passes through the Red Sea
Business
Maisarah leads Oman government’s successful sukuk issuance
MUSCAT, OMAN - Maisarah Islamic Banking Services, Islamic window of BankDhofar, acted as an Issue Manager for the Sovereign Sukuk...
- The Sukuk-Al-Ijara structure has a seven-year maturity and was conducted through private placement to sophisticated investors in Oman.
- The issuance has been listed on the Bonds and Sukuk Market, operating under the Muscat Stock Exchange.
Company News
Latest News
Lulu Retail Q3 profit $35m
Business
Salik 9M net profit $223m
Business
Tech and sustainability drive Singapore’s smart tourism vision
To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and...
Interview
Salik 2024 net profit before taxes $348m
The toll operator's revenue increased by 6% to $626 million.
Business
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Business
AD Ports Group 2024 net profit $484m
The Group's revenue increased 48 percent year-on-year.
- Net profit attributable to owners grew 24 percent YoY to AED1.33 billion led by strong operating performance.
- Total assets grew by 15 percent YoY to AED63.70 billion in 2024 while total equity increased 15 percent YoY to AED27.83 billion.
Business
ADNOC L&S 2024 net profit $756m
The company's revenue increased by 29 percent to $3.54 billion.
- EBITDA rose by 31 percent to $1.149 billion (AED 4.219 billion) in the same period, driven by robust performance across all business segments.
- The Company's Q4 revenue increased by 6 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) to $881 million (AED 3.237 billion).
Business
ADNOC Distribution 2024 net profit down 7%
Minus UAE corporate tax, it would have grown by 2.4% to $725m
- The company achieved its highest-ever (EBITDA) of $1.05 billion (AED3.86 billion), an increase of 4.8 percent year-on-year.
- The company's Board of Directors has recommended a cash dividend of $350 million (AED1.285 billion) for H2 2024.