Conservative-dominated US Supreme Court steers society sharp right
Washington, United States--One year after its ruling to erase abortion rights, the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court has underscored its determination to...
Analysis
It’s time to recount UAE’s achievements across sectors as the country celebrates its 51st National Day
Beside successfully addressing COVID-19, the country created a distinguished development model covering all political, economic, social, scientific and cultural areas...
Analysis
Interview
‘Challenging year ahead for logistics industry’
Companies have used innovative methods to keep their operations running while overcoming numerous challenges linked to Covid-19 pandemic. However, the...
- The limited capacity and high freight rates will remain until global vaccine campaigns gather traction
- Logistic companies who fail to recognize necessity of digital adoption will be left behind
Analysis
Factors that may impact oil’s demand-fueled recovery
At the global scale, 56.5 percent of oil reserves and 26.7 percent of natural gas reserves are owned by Arab...
- The financial crisis of the Arab countries will not ease unless oil prices, which will remain above $80 per barrel until 2025-end, come down
- Oil prices climbed by about $28.2 per barrel from January until October 2021, showing 51.2 percent increase over the 10 months
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
Conservative-dominated US Supreme Court steers society sharp right
Washington, United States--One year after its ruling to erase abortion rights, the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court has underscored its determination to...
Analysis
Company News
Reforms crucial to revive pandemic-hit culture sector
Arts & Culture
Saudi Index at lowest levels since January
Market Report
Latest News
Dare to be different to make positive change: Joumana
Arts & Culture
Reforms crucial to revive pandemic-hit culture sector
The sector also saw a decline of 25 percent of its Gross Value Added in 2020. However, while most of...
Arts & Culture
MENA gaming sector plays well with new technologies
The region's gaming industry is estimated to be worth $5 billion by 2025 with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading...
Business
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
Most Read
Arts & Culture
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...
- Joumana Haddad pays a price for her strong voice advocating for the rights of people, addressing otherwise taboo subjects
- A big believer of self-expression, she uses her publication Jasad to tackle issues related to art, literature, and politics of the body
Analysis
‘Workplaces must prioritize mental health’
In many industries, working from home is the way of the future and a better working and mental lifestyle, Quartz...
- People tense or stressed at work are more than three times likely to plan to look for a new job
- In contrast, employees who feel supported are more likely to stay, lowering turnover costs
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