Iran, US hold indirect nuclear talks in Geneva amid rising military tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the negotiations as “very intensive” and said there were “constructive proposals” concerning both...
Geostrategy
Israel plans ‘Hexagon Alliance’ in Mediterranean, Middle East to counter hostile regional blocs
Speaking ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu outlined a plan to establish what he called a “hexagon alliance system”...
Geostrategy
Business
DEWA records 12.5 million digital transactions in 2023
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that its customers conducted around 12.5 million digital transactions in...
- DEWA offers digital services for electricity and water management, as well as innovative sustainability services.
- These include smart living initiative, features like consumption monitoring, comparison with high-efficiency homes.
Business
ADQ, ADNEC Group sign agreements
They will buy 40.5% stake in TMG Holding’s hospitality business.
- ADQ and ADNEC will invest through a special purpose vehicle, with 49 percent equity ownership by ADQ and 51 percent equity ownership by ADNEC.
- ICON is a leading player in Egypt’s luxury and upscale hospitality market, with a track record of building and owning some of the most celebrated luxury hotels in Egypt.
Geostrategy
CBUAE cancels license of First Insurance Brokers Company
ABU DHABI, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has cancelled the license of First Insurance Brokers Company...
- The sanction comes as a result of the CBUAE’s decision following the company’s non-compliance with the regulations.
- The CBUAE works to ensure that all insurance companies and related professionals comply with laws and regulations.
Business
NEOM announces Aquellum as futuristic lifestyle community
NEOM, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Aquellum, a luxury and experiential space embedded within...
- Aquellum is hidden within a breathtaking 450-meter-high mountain range.
- The subterranean digitalized community creates vibrancy and interconnectivity.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia signs MoUs with four countries for development in mining industry
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the...
- The roundtable highlighted the need for governments and industry to achieve economic and social development for local communities.
- A total of 79 governments, 13 international organizations, 15 NGOs and seven business associations took part in the roundtable.
Business
FAB issues first Sukuk globally in 2024
ABU DHABI, UAE - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has issued a five-year US$800 million Sukuk at US Treasury +85bps,...
- The allocation sees 76 percent directed towards dedicated Islamic investors and 38 percent towards international counterparts.
- The 1.9x oversubscribed order book represented high-quality investors, including international fund managers, supranational and banks.
Economy
UAE economy likely to grow by 3.8 percent in 2025, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The World Bank expected the UAE's real GDP to grow by 3.4 percent in 2023, rising to...
- The World Bank forecast the growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to rise to 3.6 percent in 2024 and 3.8 percent in 2025.
- The report said that the growth rate in the Middle East and North Africa region slowed down sharply to 1.9 percent in 2023.
Business
Air cargo demand up 8.3 percent in November 2023, says IATA
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2023 global air cargo markets indicating the...
- This reflects a fourth consecutive month of strengthening demand for air cargo.
- Most of the capacity growth continues to be attributable to the rise in belly capacity.
Geostrategy
Israel is starving Gaza residents, says NGO
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - Everyone in Gaza is going hungry and about 2.2 million people are surviving day by day...
- The NGO said that Gaza Strip was already in the throes of a humanitarian crisis before the war, mainly due to Israel’s 17-year blockade.
- Given this starting point, it is clear as to why the Gaza Strip plummeted into a full-blown catastrophe so quickly.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, Belarus ink MoU to boost trade, investment
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Federation of Saudi Chambers and the National Center for Marketing and Price Study at the...
- Under the pact, the two parties will exchange information related to trade, business environment, investment, production and export opportunities.
- The two parties will organize joint research activities pertaining to marketing to enhance trade prospects and explore ways of improved cooperation.
Iran, US hold indirect nuclear talks in Geneva amid rising military tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the negotiations as “very intensive” and said there were “constructive proposals” concerning both...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Mawani adds FRS1 shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has added CStar Line's new Far East-Red Sea service (FRS1) to...
Business
Global gas flaring surges again, costs $63bn in lost energy: WB
Washington, UAE -- Global gas flaring surged for a second year in a row, wasting about $63 billion in lost...
Geostrategy
Dubai real estate transactions exceed $117.34 billion in first half of 2025
The number of new investors in the market reached 59,075, with investments totaling $42.74 billion, a 22 percent increase in...
Business
Most Read
Business
Saudi leads MENA in VC funding for H1, surpassing 2024’s full-year total
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia retained the top spot across the Middle East and North Africa region in terms of...
- Saudi Arabia's H1 VC share is 56 percent of the total capital deployed in the region.
- The report also revealed that Saudi Arabia achieved a record number of 114 VC deals for the first half of 2025.
Business
Salini awarded $600m contract for 400 retail units in Diriyah Square
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Diriyah Company has announced the award of a major new $600 million (SAR2.249 billion) contract for...
- Diriyah Square is located at the heart of Diriyah, the City of Earth, within the unique Najdi-inspired architectural Diriyah Masterplan.
- It is designed to develop a vibrant retail district featuring a mix of 400 iconic retail, leisure, and dining brands.