‘Digital transformation levels the playing field for GCC small businesses’
Digitalization is revolutionizing GCC entrepreneurship, offering vast opportunities and challenges, and driving innovation and growth, Jigar Sagar, an influential figure...Business Thought Leaders
UK’s richest family get jail terms for exploiting staff at Swiss villa
Geneva, Switzerland -A Swiss court handed jail sentences to four members of Britain's richest family on Friday, branding them "selfish" for...Business
Innovation, expansion spur Gulf retail after pandemic
GCC retail sector evolves dynamically, blending innovation with tradition to woo investment, says Khalifa Bin Braik of Majid Al Futtaim...GCC retail sector evolves dynamically, blending innovation with tradition to woo investment, says Khalifa Bin Braik of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management.
Investing in the GCC retail market offers strategic benefits like a prime location, wealthy population, and luxury demand, bolstered by government support.
Saudi more than doubles tourism target by 2030, says minister
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia drew 27 million foreign tourists in 2023 and has more than doubled its goal for..."We have reached 100 million tourists this year, 77 million from home, 27 million from abroad, over 100 million," Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said.
Saudi hopes 150 million tourists by 2030, up from an earlier goal of 100 million, with 70 million of those coming from abroad, up from an earlier goal of 30 million.
Iran agricultural, food exports hit US$4.8bn in 10 months
TEHRAN, IRAN – The country has exported more than 6.7 million tons of agricultural and food products worth US$4.8 billion...Of this amount, 4,944,481 tons worth $2,930,585,728 were dedicated to the export of agricultural products.
While 1,133,710 tons worth US$931,961,158 were dedicated to the export of food products.
Saudi Arabia’s air defense commander examines Russia’s S-350, S-400 systems
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force Lieutenant-General Mazyad bin Suleiman Al-Amr has inspected...The Royal Saudi Air Defense Force Commander saw various radars from the Almaz-Antey air defense concern.
The commander visited the stands of Russian defense industry companies and paid special attention to the air defense systems.
Novartis to buy MorphoSys
The deal gives Novartis access to new blood cancer treatment.The all-cash deal will see Novartis offer 68 euros per share for the company, whose stock has soared in recent days amid speculation a deal was looming
"With the planned acquisition of MorphoSys, we aim to further strengthen our leading pipeline and portfolio in oncology," said Shreeram Aradhye, Novartis' CMO.
UBS to reward shareholders
Losses from costs of absorbing Credit Suisse narrow.The bank reported a net loss of $279 million in the final three months of 2023 -- far less than the nearly $500 million analysts had been bracing for
The result followed a bigger, $785 million loss in the third quarter but for the full year, UBS bagged a net profit of $29 billion in 2023
QatarEnergy signs LNG deal with Petronet
QatarEnergy will supply 7.5m tons of LNG per year to Petronet.Qatar is one of the world's top LNG producers alongside the United States, Australia and Russia.
The first deliveries of gas to India by QatarEnergy's LNG fleet are due from May 2028.
Sharjah Chamber posts growth in membership in 2023
SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced a series of significant achievements of the...The number of membership renewals in 2023 hit 55,087 across industrial, commercial and professional sectors.
Free zone memberships stood at 1,795, while exports and re-exports were valued at approximately US$8.9 billion.
Maqta acquires stake in Dubai Technologies
The majority stake was acquired for $7.6 million.The founder will retain a 40 percent stake in the company, and the existing leadership team will remain in management to deliver on the strategic growth plans.
The company's FY2023 financial performance recorded revenues of AED70.5 million and EBITDA of AED8.4 million.
BP posts US$15.2bn net annual profit
It will deliver US$1.75bn in buybacks for Q4 of last year.Its profit after tax surged to $15.2 billion last year from a net loss of $2.5 billion in 2022
The bumper profit came after slumping into a loss the prior year on its exit from Russia