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
As Ukraine war grinds on, Saudi influence grows
Saudi Arabia's unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine was just the latest example of...
Geostrategy
Analysis
GCC countries competing to lead the world in AI
Several countries in the region have already formed AI policies to support their national goals after this technology demonstrated its...
- The Middle East AI market is growing at a rate of 20-34 percent per year, according to a PwC report
- Saudi Arabia is lavishing $500 billion on the NEOM’s project, which will offer ultra-connectivity, and is trialing air-taxis
Economy
Climate crisis puts oil in the crosshairs, but dependence persists
The International Energy Agency warned in May that an immediate halt to new investment in fossil projects is needed if...
- Fossil fuels, represent 80 percent of energy consumed, and were explicitly blamed for driving climate change at COP26
- This was not the case when the Paris climate pact was reached in 2015
Business
Ecommerce is fastest-growing channel in ME
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE account for nearly 80 percent of the overall ecommerce market.
- A PwC report indicates that UAE consumers are making purchases on smartphones (53 percent), computers (39 percent) and tablets (31 percent)
- As a result, the UAE’s retail ecommerce market reached $3.9 billion in 2020, indicating a 53 percent year-on-year increase
Analysis
Growing Islamophobia hits Islamic banking in Europe
The $2.2-trillion Islamic finance industry is set to take off in a big way across the world as it recovers...
- The EU is believed to be home to close to 28 million Muslims, who may hold close to $1,247 billion in wealth
- The Islamic finance industry has failed to make any impact in Germany and France with relatively large Muslims populations
Analysis
Saudi Arabia to dominate regional ecommerce
Factors ranging from internet penetration to smartphone ownership to bank-account holdings, and more are coming together to make Saudi Arabia...
- The GCC will have the fastest ecommerce growth in the MEASA region between 2019 and 2022
- Ecommerce will help Saudi’s economic growth, with the domestic online market expected to reach $2 billion by 2025
Economy
UAE ranks first in Arab world, 11th globally in Global Knowledge Index
Qatar was at the 38th place, Saudi Arabia at 40, Kuwait (48), Oman (52), and Bahrain (55) in the Global...
- Other GCC countries -- including Qatar , Saudi Arabia, Kuwait , Oman and Bahrain -- also figured prominently in the index
- Switzerland ranks first globally, followed by Sweden, the US, Finland and the Netherlands
Investigation
REVEALED: Billions of dollars missing from BDL
About US$7 billion is missing from Lebanese central bank’s 2020 balance sheet, data analysis by TRENDS suggests while highlighting weak...
- Some of the data sifted by TRENDS point to a US$7 billion scam involving the country’s central bank and the powerful individuals
- The poor and weak policies of Banque du Liban (BDL) may have facilitated a “Ponzi” scheme involving Eurobonds
Analysis
Saudi Arabia, UAE ripe for hydrogen investments
Green hydrogen has the potential to rapidly replace fossil fuels on a large scale, says Cranmore Managing Partner Yusuf Macun.
- Green hydrogen has a lot of potential particularly in heavy transport and heavy industries
- Green hydrogen has the ability to rapidly replace fossil fuels while simultaneously enhancing electrification
Analysis
Luxury brands burning products is a problem
High fashion can be detrimental to the environment because of its large carbon footprint.
- To keep their uniqueness, high-end fashion brands routinely burn unsold products
- Fashion contributes up to 8 percent of the global carbon footprint
Videos
Snowden, Assange, and the burden of truth
Julian Assange and Edward Snowden have had to pay big time for simply telling the truth. Their lives suggest that...
- Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has had to seek asylum with Ecuador
- Edward Snowden had to flee to Russia after revealing how the US spied on its own citizens
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
Company News
Saudi Index at lowest levels since January
Market Report
Dare to be different to make positive change: Joumana
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Saudi Index at lowest levels since January
Saudi Stock Exchange's general index fell by nine points. Abu Dhabi market was below 9,200 points, Dubai market rose above...
Market Report
Growth likely to vary across regions and geographies
While the global economy has been slowing down, the picture looks very different across regions and geographies. This is based...
Analysis
Dare to be different to make positive change: Joumana
Lebanese writer, journalist, and human rights activist Joumana Haddad tells TRENDS why she is unperturbed despite being one of the...
Arts & Culture
Most Read
Analysis
UAE’s Covid-19 response gets global plaudits
Earlier this year, the UAE rose to the top of Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking, outperforming European countries in terms of...
- For one, smart-technology platforms were effectively used in the UAE to combat Covid-19
- The UAE also adopted the mandatory use of face masks in March 2020, well ahead of the WHO recommendation
Analysis
Beauty, fashion brands eye NFT advantage
There is enormous potential for NFTs in the fashion and beauty business, says Louis Chen, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer...
- Brands are using NFTs and blockchain technology to attract, verify, and engage consumers globally
- GCC brands should take advantage of the trend to engage with customers in new, innovative ways
Analysis
Saudi real estate rides high on positive sentiment
Saudi Arabia's real estate sector continues to show promising signs, with increasing tourist numbers, consumers returning to retail stores, and...
- Q1 2022 saw an increase in the number of units built in Saudi Arabia's residential sector
- In Q1 2022, Saudi Arabia's house price index rose by 0.4 percent compared to Q1 2021