DIFC records 25 percent rise in registered firms in H1 2025
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South...
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
Business
UAE tourism generates $12.24bn in hotel revenues in 2024: Minister
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion ( $12.24 billion) in 2024, reflecting...
- Hotel occupancy rates also climbed to 78 percent last year, ranking among the highest both regionally and globally.
- The minister said that the number of hotel guests across the UAE reached approximately 30.8 million in 2024, reflecting a 9.5 percent growth.
Business
Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade grows by 9% in 2024 to $83bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Customs reported a 9 percent increase in the emirate’s non-oil foreign trade in 2024,...
- Non-oil exports soared 16 percent in 2024, reaching AED 107.8 billion compared to AED 93 billion in 2023.
- Re-exports grew by 11 percent to exceed AED 58 billion, compared to AED 52.4 billion in 2023, while imports grew by 3 percent to AED 140.2 billion.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s travel account surplus reaches nearly $13.27bn
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector achieved a record surplus in the 2024 travel account, reaching SAR49.8 billion...
- This surge was fueled by a 13.8 percent increase in inbound visitor spending compared to 2023, reaching an estimated SAR153.6 billion in 2024.
- Saudi tourism ministry attributed the significant growth in the 2024 travel account surplus to collaborative efforts within the Saudi tourism ecosystem,
Business
AD Ports Group 2024 revenue $4.70bn
The Group's EBITDA increased by 69 percent YOY.
- All of the Group’s business segments — Ports, Economic Cities and Free Zones, Maritime and Shipping, Logistics, and Digital — contributed to the record-breaking revenue.
- The Group successfully integrated two major acquisitions and accelerated its international expansion strategy, boosting profitability.
Business
ADNOC Gas to pay $3.41bn dividend
It includes $1.7 billion scheduled for distribution in Q2 2025.
- It reported a record adjusted net income of $5 billion, up 13 percent year-on-year, and strong EBITDA growth of 14 percent year-on-year to $8.65 billion.
- ADNOC Gas' full-year 2024 results demonstrate the success of its disciplined strategy, unveiled in November 2024, the company said.
Business
Al Ansari approves $85m dividend
This is approx 78% of the company's net profit after tax.
- Al Ansari Financial Services is preparing to finalize the acquisition of BFC Group Holding for AED 735 million, a move that will significantly expand its regional footprint.
- Post-acquisition, the company will emerge as the largest exchange company in Bahrain and the third largest in Kuwait.
Business
ADNOC Drilling approves $788m dividend
The final cash dividend of $394m for 2024 was approved at the AGM.
- The dividend will be paid on or around 11th April 2025, to all shareholders of record as of 27th March 2025.
- ADNOC Drilling’s full-year revenue increased significantly to a record $4.034 billion, rising by 32 percent year-on-year.
Business
Borouge proposes share buyback
The company had posted a 24% YoY increase in net profit to $1.24bn.
- Boruge said the proposed share buyback underscores the company’s confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
- Shareholders will also vote to approve the final 2024 dividends of 7.94 fils per share, which will be distributed on 28t Apr, bringing its total 2024 dividend payout to $1.3bn.
Business
DAE to acquire 17 aircraft for $1 bn
This portfolio comprises 100 percent next-generation aircraft
- Eighty percent of the aircraft are manufactured by Airbus, and 20 percent are manufactured by Boeing.
- These aircraft are expected to reduce DAE’s weighted average passenger fleet age to 6.9 years.
Business
DP World posts record $20bn revenue
The adjusted EBITDA rose by 6.7% to $5.5bn in 2024.
- DP World capacity exceeded 100 million TEU due to selective infrastructure investment in key growth markets.
- Capital expenditure of $2.2 billion ($2.1 billion in 2023) was invested across the existing portfolio.
DIFC records 25 percent rise in registered firms in H1 2025
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South...
Business
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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
MENA Brief June 14: Iran-Israel War, Abu Dhabi Summit, Saudi Football Rise, & More
Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military...
Geostrategy
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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
Economy
Key MENA trends: M&A surge to five-year high, Saudi port activity rises in May
Qatar's foreign reserves rise 3.6 percent year-on-year despite a dip in bonds and treasury holdings, Iraq releases Australian and Egyptian...
- Egypt and Turkey continue their coordination on ceasefire efforts and humanitarian aid, as diplomatic momentum struggles against on-ground escalation.
- The ICRC has warned that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with medical infrastructure under increasing strain from ongoing hostilities.