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...
Analysis
IMF upgrades Saudi real GDP growth forecast to 6% in 2025, up from
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upwards its forecast for Saudi Arabia's economic growth to...
Economy
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
‘Visa-free entry for GCC nationals will enhance business collaboration’
In an interview with TRENDS, CEO of ITCN Asia, Muhammad Umair Nizam highlights the expanding role of Pakistani IT firms...
- ITCN Asia offers a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, uniting government and industry leaders for discussions on key tech issues, CEO Muhammad Umair Nizam said
- Pakistan’s software services industry have stood out, with companies offering cybersecurity solutions, virtual reality for military and everyday use, he added
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...
Analysis
Company News
Emirates Islamic Q1 profit $394m
Business
Latest News
Bank credit to Saudi public and private sectors up by $105 billion: SAMA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Total bank credit granted to the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia reached its highest...
Business
Travel and tourism sector contributes 11.4 percent to Gulf’s GDP
Muscat, Oman -- Travel and tourism sector's contribution to the Gulf's GDP by the end of 2024 reached approximately 11.4 percent,...
Ajman real estate transactions reach $560 million in March
Ajman, UAE -- Real estate transactions in Ajman reached AED 2.06 billion ($560 million) in March 2025, marking a significant...
Business
Most Read
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,