US-Iran talks set for Geneva amid military buildup
The renewed diplomacy comes as Washington has deployed two aircraft carriers, additional jets and ships, and reinforced air defenses across...
Geostrategy
Israeli strikes kill 12 Palestinians in Gaza amid measures to ‘annex’ more West Bank land
Palestinian officials described the Israeli parliament's decision related to West Bank land as a “serious escalation,” while armed groups and...
Geostrategy
Business
Bayanat, Yahsat to merge
It will benefit from revenue synergies, economies of scale.
- The merger will create an AI-powered space technology champion in the MENA region with an implied market capitalization of over US$4 billion.
- The combined entity will be vertically integrated and optimally positioned to capture regional, global opportunities in geospatial and mobility solutions.
Business
BCI’s subsidiary secures US$100m loan from SIDF
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Basic Chemical Industries Co.'s (BCI) subsidiary Chemical Marketing and Distribution Co. Ltd. secured a loan from the Saudi...
- The US$100 million loan has a duration of seven years and three months starting from October 8, 2025.
- BCI mortgaged all fixed assets of the project as guarantees for financing, in addition to a corporate guarantee.
Geostrategy
UAE, Kazakhstan sign MoU to combat financial crimes
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN – UAE and the Republic of Kazakhstan signed an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in the combating of...
- The MoU aims to increase cooperation in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.
- It will focus on four key areas: virtual assets, public-private partnership, education and capacity building, and asset recovery.
Geostrategy
NCSC seeks to regulate Jordan’s cybersecurity market
AMMAN, JORDAN - National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) seeks to regulate the Kingdom's cybersecurity market by outlining and endorsing the...
- One of the NCSC's key measures focuses on issuing Cybersecurity Services Licensing System, its director said.
- This would "effectively" contribute to strengthening and supporting Jordanian companies to enter the cybersecurity market.
Business
Hyundai Motor, Mubadala ink MoU
The two firms will seek to unlock investment opportunities.
- The agreement between the two firms will allow both parties to jointly invest and share expertize.
- Hyundai Motor and Mubadala will seek to unlock potential investment opportunities.
Business
Tabreed gets US$163m Green Revolving Credit Facility
ABU DHABI, UAE - Tabreed on Thursday announced the successful closure of its inaugural US$163 million (AED600 million) Green Revolving...
- This financing agreement, spanning five years, aligns with Tabreed's overarching sustainability strategy.
- The facility will introduce efficient cooling solutions, meeting the regional demand for sustainable innovative technologies.
Economy
Mawani gets 79.01 points in UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index for Q4 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) attained its highest improvement in the UNCTAD's Liner Shipping Connectivity Index...
- This development aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).
- This achievement adds to the recent major records, including a score of 77.66 during Q3.
Business
MBC IPO retail subscription begins
MBC Group runs a group of TV and radio channels.
- The subscription process for the retail tranche of MBC Group will run for five days until December 18.
- The Capital Market Authority approved, on November 21, the company's request to float 33.25 million shares in an IPO.
COP28 UAE
World Bank to expand climate funding in MENA by $10 billion
Brhane said the World Bank integrated climate into all its work across the MENA region and is on track to...
- The funding supports both reducing net emissions and resilience projects, said Meskerem Brhane, the bank's Regional Director for Sustainable Development, MENA.
- She added that by embracing green growth strategies, the region's GDP could potentially grow to over $13 trillion by 2050.
Business
UAE, Korean firms ink pact
The partnership will utilize low-cost indoor farming solution.
- The facility will be co-located within livestock farms to localize animal feed in Al Ain, UAE.
- The facility will be using 95 percent less water per kilogram versus traditional farming means.
US-Iran talks set for Geneva amid military buildup
The renewed diplomacy comes as Washington has deployed two aircraft carriers, additional jets and ships, and reinforced air defenses across...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Al Ansari approves $85m dividend
Business
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
MENA Brief – June 16: Netanyahu eyes Gaza breakthrough, Iran rejects talks, Trump at G7, UAE oil giant bids big
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there’s a fresh opening to free hostages held in Gaza, backing a US-mediated proposal...
Economy
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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.
Economy
From Iran Talks to Dubai Metro: Key Middle East Developments You Need to Know on June 10, 2025
Key developments across the Middle East today highlight regional diplomatic, economic and humanitarian trends
- Sheikh Mohammed launches 30km expansion featuring world's highest metro station (74m) to serve growing population
- After 12-year exclusion, Damascus prepares to reconnect to global banking network to formalize trade