GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
MENA must integrate research, enterprise, and leadership development
Over the next five years, knowledge and innovation will redefine the MENA region’s economic landscape, moving it beyond traditional resource...
Interview
Interview
Davos25: Qatar, Saudi, UAE to lead GCC transformation, says Cytomate COO
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Bilel Al Souaied is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the COO of Cytomate, a leading...
- Since the discovery of hydrocarbons, GCC has been experiencing several economic models. Some of them proved to be working, some not.
- "We do have one of the most advanced educational ecosystems. Qatar is leading the way in terms of that," Bilel said.
World Economic Forum
Davos25: Kyrgyzstan beckons with lax tax regime, says CEO of country’s tech hub
Davos, Switzerland -- Aziz Abakirov, the CEO of the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, represents a unique initiative...
- Companies in Kyrgyzstan High Technology Park enjoy 1% tax on turnover and zero tax on certain activities, including crypto.
- Our main focus is to attract partners who value skilled talent and are looking to collaborate with us, Abakirov said.
World Economic Forum
Davos25: Working in silos can’t resolve systemic issues, says Catalyst Now’s Galtung
Davos, Switzerland -- Some of the biggest problems in the world today are systemic problems, which cannot be resolved with...
- From 200 organizations in 2020, Catalyst Now has grown to 3,800 organizations working in 140 countries.
- It's for the first time that there's a Social Innovation House in Davos. There is a commitment to do it again next year.
Economy
Exclusive: ADP’s Nela Richardson on how AI is reshaping the global workforce
Davos Switzerland - The rapid adoption of AI and automation is redefining labor markets, reshaping industries, and transforming skills globally,...
- Drawing from insights in the Future of Jobs Report 2025, Dr. Richardson emphasized the dual forces of opportunity and risk that AI introduces to labor markets
- Reflecting on the findings of the report, Dr. Richardson highlighted the critical gaps that need to be addressed, including the skills gap and the employers-employee disconnect
Geostrategy
Workers should have a say in AI implementation, says TUAC general secretary
Davos, Switzerland -- The transformation seen in the labor market brought about by green transition and new technologies has raised...
- Nilsson said that in the green transition, the new jobs that have been created are of lower quality and workers are less protected.
- AI can reduce discrimination in hiring but the technology itself can be rigged to increase discrimination, she warns.
Geostrategy
EXCLUSIVE: ILO chief urges action on job gap and reskilling at Davos 2025
Davos, Switzerland -- The world labor market is nearing the pre-Covid levels but gender gap and other concerns remain, International...
- Houngbo said he saw the unemployment gap between young women and young men to the disadvantage of women.
- The most important thing is that the private and public sectors need to step up investment in reskilling, he said.
Business
EXCLUSIVE: AI agents to reshape the future of work, says CEO Automation Anywhere
Davos, Switzerland: AI agents are set to revolutionize the way businesses operate, with tasks being divided into autonomous, AI-assisted, and...
- Mihir Shukla reveals AI agents will revolutionize work, blending autonomous, assisted, and manual tasks
- The company operates 300 million AI agents globally, with a growing presence in the Middle East
Geostrategy
Nations retreating inward making global cooperation harder, Dr Masood tells TRENDS at Davos
Davos, Switzerland - The world is grappling with challenges that demand collective action, but rising nationalism and geopolitical tensions are...
- The world faces problems that can only be solved if people and countries come together, Dr. Masood said
- He pointed to US-China tensions as a major barrier to addressing shared global challenges
Oman launches New Nation Brand at Davos to enhance global presence
Muscat, Oman – Oman on Tuesday launched its New Nation Brand at the World Economic Forum in Davos in an...
- Speaking at the event, Oman’s Minister of Economy Dr Said Mohammed Al Saqri expressed confidence in the brand’s ability to enhance the country’s standing on the global stage
- He continued that the launch of the brand in Davos was not only as an invitation to international investors and media to explore Oman's opportunities
Economy
There’s nothing more interlinked and global as international financial markets: Swiss president
In an exclusive interview with TRENDS, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter emphasized the critical role of financial stability in safeguarding global...
- Keller-Sutter emphasized that financial stability is vital for maintaining global economic health, highlighting the deeply interconnected nature of international financial markets
- She stressed the importance of countries acting from internal strength to ensure resilience and contribute effectively to global financial stability.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
The new knowledge economy belongs to super users: Michael Wolf
Activate Consulting CEO Michael Wolf tells TRENDS how AI, media and shifting consumer behaviour are driving the next knowledge economy.
Business
A hospitality trailblazer talks resilience in a shifting global landscape
Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Premium, Midscale, and Economy Division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Accor, spells out the...
Interview
Blending AI with a Human Touch: Al Rais Travel Eyes the Future of Tourism
Executive Director Mohamed Al Rais unveils a tech-human hybrid approach to personalize travel experiences — and announces a strategic India...
Business
Most Read
Economy
GCC is rewriting the narrative on cultural diplomacy
Partnerships with institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum, Venice Biennale, and Hollywood productions elevate the GCC’s cultural landscape.
- Events like Art Dubai, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi solidify the UAE’s role as a global cultural hub
- AlUla, Red Sea Film Festival, and Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel are transforming the Kingdom into a creative powerhouse
Geostrategy
The Transformative Power of Travel
The framework for future-proofing tourism revolves around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Purpose. This vision is particularly evident in...
- The UAE’s We the UAE 2031 national development blueprint positions tourism as a key driver of economic growth, targeting a $123 billion contribution to GDP.
- Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places tourism at the core of its diversification efforts.
World Economic Forum
Art and culture retain power to humanize the Intelligent Age, says WEF’s Fowler
Davos, Switzerland -- In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives, the World Economic Forum's Arts and Culture...
- I see talent emerging in the MENA region, UAE especially. Saudi Arabia is extremely exciting at the moment with the focus they're placing on culture, Fowler said.
- The UAE is extremely forward-thinking. They absolutely have a finger on the pulse when it comes to technology and how technology can be integrated into everyday life.