Trump’s tariffs shake up MENA economies, hitting allies, adversaries, oil trade and emerging industries: Report
Trump's sweeping tariffs are reshaping trade dynamics across MENA, impacting oil-exporting Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, according...
Economy
Business
Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 startups secure $1.90 billion in funding, says CEO
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Startups within Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, have secured over AED 7 billion in funding,...
- The ecosystem is now hosts over 300 startups from around the world and has forged 150 partnerships to support these companies in attracting investments.
- Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said it has received over 2,500 applications for its programmes.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge by nearly 23% in Sept 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports surged by 22.8 percent in September, according to a report by the...
- The September 2024 International Trade Report said national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, rose by 11.6 percent.
- The report also indicated a 14.9 percent decline in merchandise exports in September 2024 compared to September 2023.
Business
Lulu Retail Q3 profit $35m
For the nine-month period, net profit increased by 73.3%.
- In its first financial update since its record IPO on ADX, the company posted a revenue growth in Q3 2024, reaching $1.86 billion, up 6.1% YoY.
- The UAE saw strong revenue growth of 7.5% in Q3 2024, mainly driven by healthy LFL growth of 4.7% during the quarter.
Business
Salik 9M net profit $223m
The company's third-quarter profit increased by 8.8 percent.
- Salik reported 355.6 million revenue-generating trips, which increased 5.1 percent YoY to drive total revenue of AED1.640 billion.
- Revenue from toll usage, comprising 86.7 percent of total revenue, rose 5.1 percent YoY to AED1,422.2 million in the nine-month period.
Arts & Culture
Two falcons sell for $81,300 at Saudi Falcons Club Auction
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Two falcons were sold for a combined total of $81,300 (SAR305,000 ) on the tenth night...
- On its tenth night, the Saudi Falcons Club Auction saw two falcons sell for over $81,000, underscoring the nation’s dedication to cultural preservation.
- The Saudi Falcons Club Auction highlights cultural heritage, with top falcons fetching impressive bids as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Geostrategy
Global Future Councils meet calls for collective action to tackle global crises
Over 500 experts gathered at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2024 in Dubai to...
- Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, said, “The only constant conviction we recognize every day is that nothing remains stable.”
- Sessions also explored novel approaches needed to tackle emissions while ensuring an equitable and socially responsible transition
Business
Deals worth $4.26 billion signed at inaugural Global Logistics Forum
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- More than 65 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding worth SAR 16 billion were signed at the...
- The forum was attended by more than 130 experts and leaders in the global transport and logistics sector, as well as 13,000 visitors.
- Among the attendees were over 15 ministers and 77 leaders in the transport and logistics industry from more than 30 countries.
Business
OPEC lowers 2024 oil demand forecast, citing robust non-OECD activity
According to the organization's October report, the total world oil demand is anticipated to reach 105.6 mb/d in 4Q-24, to...
- According to the monthly publication, oil demand in the Middle East is expected to expand by an average of 265 tb/d, y-o-y, in 4Q-24.
- Refinery capacity additions in non-OECD countries – mostly in China and the Middle East – are also expected to contribute to oil demand growth.
Economy
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...
- Between July 2023 and June 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa received around US$125 billion in on-chain value
- About 70% of African countries face an FX shortage, and businesses struggle to get access to the dollar
Geostrategy
North Korea shows first photos of banned uranium enrichment site
North Korea for the first time showed images of the centrifuges that produce fuel for its nuclear bombs on Friday,...
- North Korea is believed to have several sites for enriching uranium
- The country may have produced enough fissile material to build up to 90 nuclear warheads: July report
Company News
Al Ansari approves $85m dividend
Business
Borouge proposes share buyback
Business
Latest News
Meraas awards $544m contract
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
Most Read
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate 2 percent in Jan, rental prices main driver
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate in Jan 2025 reached 2 percent compared to January 2024, the...
- According to GASTAT, Saudi Arabia's inflation rate is considered the lowest among the G20 countries.
- CPI measures the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items.
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).