Israel-Gaza conflict creates global economic ripples
As Israel grapples with the surprise Hamas action and global community gauges economic ramifications, the future of Israel's relations with...
Analysis
UAE set to lead GCC’s e-commerce markets next year
“E-commerce sales via marketplaces will continue to grow in double-digit percentages in 2023, driven by a higher proportion of cross-border...
YEARBOOK 2023
Economy
Gulf countries warm up to waste-to-fuel plans
Here’s a broader look at how the region has prioritized solid-waste recycling and the production of alternative fuels to deal...
- Solid waste management is one of the most critical challenges facing all GCC countries
- Construction waste accounts for 53% of the total solid waste generated in the Gulf countries
Opinion
How can UAE firms adapt to corporate tax?
Now entities that typically have strong brand equity, control over distribution, and very few competitors, have a competitive edge that...
- Generally, businesses react negatively to any tax announcement, like the UAE’s corporate tax
- However, companies within the UAE might themselves benefit the most from such a tax
Analysis
GCC looks to ease fiscal burden with privatization
The privatization move will also help the regional governments in maintaining better economic growth, increasing private participation and attracting foreign...
- Planning, executing, and concluding are the three primary stages of privatization
- The privatization process in Kuwait will expand to 38 government institutions and activities
Interview
GCC retail electronics set for boost as buyers return
The retail electronics sector has proliferated in GCC countries, with demand rising not only due to the urge to own...
- In 2020, the global consumer electronics market was expected to generate revenues of $1.4 bn, with a CAGR of 4.6%
- The retail electronics market reached over $1 bn globally in 2022, and is expected to grow by 1.82% annually
Analysis
Can Gulf producers tame oil prices?
However, Gulf countries have an interest in acting in coordination — both within OPEC, and with Russia-led allies in the...
- US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a ban on US imports of Russian oil and gas
- Britain said it would phase out crude imports from the country by the end of this year
Analysis
How did Saudi Arabia ensure food security?
The country has been able to overcome the hurdles that stood in the way of achieving food security by implementing...
- Saudi Arabia has enhanced its food security by adopting several strategies to ensure an excess of food supply
- It now has the largest storage capacity for wheat and flour in the Middle East, exceeding 3.3 million tons
Interview
GCC beauty sector puts best face forward
Consumers are spending more on beauty products and fragrances despite inflation, says Salem Kaissi, Vice-President of multi-brand luxury beauty concept...
- Brands have had to strategize and react quickly to continue resonating with consumers in the market
- According to Euromonitor International, the sector is estimated to be worth $58.3 billion by 2025
Analysis
GCC turbulence mires Airbus rise
Airbus has been mired in controversy despite its best efforts to increase its customer base, across the world in general...
- Qatar Airways and Airbus have tussled for months over the deterioration of aircraft paint and lightning protection
- Kuwait plans to announce an agreement to restructure the national airline fleet of Airbus aircraft
Analysis
Covid-19 shakes up GCC’s in-demand job profiles
Now, the fastest-growing job profiles in the GCC include a mix of both pandemic-resultant and non-pandemic-resultant positions.
- Traditional jobs such as healthcare personnel and core corporate operations are still in high demand around the world
- Employment rates in the Gulf region have risen by 40% annually, thanks to the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Analysis
Lebanon’s ‘zombie banks’ downsize to weather crisis
More than two years into a financial crisis that has seen the local currency lose 90 percent of its value,...
- The financial collapse that began in Lebanon in late 2019 has been deemed by the World Bank one of the world's worst since the 1850s
- However, before that the country had an oversized but prosperous banking sector, which has since come to be blamed for the economic crisis
Israel-Gaza conflict creates global economic ripples
As Israel grapples with the surprise Hamas action and global community gauges economic ramifications, the future of Israel's relations with...
Analysis
Company News
“US lives in solipsistic fantasies”
Geostrategy
Latest News
Biden’s Arab trip lukewarm, at best
Geostrategy
Crises put Gulf investments in Sri Lanka at stake
The region has invested billions of dollars across sectors in the South Asian nation as recent past witnessed an expansion...
Analysis
Are EVs driving towards greener world or uncertainty?
Studies suggest the electric vehicles may not eliminate all emissions even by 2050, particularly those related to mining and battery...
Science
Biden’s Arab trip lukewarm, at best
The US president could not dispel the view that the Washington is no longer a reliable ally and he also...
Geostrategy
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Analysis
More deals in sight as UAE-France ties strengthen
The past years witnessed the signing of dozens of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries in various...
- Relations between the UAE and France date back to establishment of the UAE Federation when some French firms such as 'Total' helped UAE explore oil
- The past years witnessed dozens of agreements and MoUs between the two countries in various economic, cultural, military and environmental fields
Economy
Fear of global slowdown worries Gulf economies
The global economic stagnation is expected to impact the GCC growth due to the decline in industrial and economic activities...
- Economic stagnation has been a concern in many countries worldwide, especially in the Gulf states
- Economic stagnation is a concern in light of the growing inflation, rise in interest rates and disruption in supply chains
Analysis
Apex banks under pressure to deliver lower inflation
The world economies are staring at the deep recessions and more financial instability. If inflation does not moderate significantly over...
- Global bond and equity markets have been particularly volatile in recent weeks, says the latest Qatar National Bank report
- The main driver of the volatility was the multitude of negative prints coming from inflation figures in key economies, it adds