Rising demand for critical metals pose dilemmas for investors
PARIS, FRANCE - Soaring demand for the raw materials needed for the transition towards renewable energy is creating dilemmas for investors...
Business
US Jews battle new ‘mainstreamed’ anti-Semitism
One day after hip-hop and fashion mogul Kanye West voiced a "love" for Nazis and 10 days after ex-president Donald...
Analysis
UNWTO optimism to cheer up MENA tourism
While the likes of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan depend heavily on tourism for revenue, the UAE and Saudi Arabia...
- UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic has said that the ‘future is bright’ for the tourism sector
- Tourists ‘will come back’ and the industry will recover from the pandemic because it is ‘very resilient,’ she said
Analysis
GCC at risk from cyber criminals in 2022
Companies are hemorrhaging millions of dollars to ongoing ransomware raids, with threat actors further weaponizing the attacks.
- Ransomware attacks on high-profile organizations grabbed headlines throughout 2021
- Cybersecurity experts believe this criminal enterprise will reach new heights in 2022
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
Rising demand for critical metals pose dilemmas for investors
PARIS, FRANCE - Soaring demand for the raw materials needed for the transition towards renewable energy is creating dilemmas for investors...
Business
Company News
Reforms crucial to revive pandemic-hit culture sector
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Saudi Index at lowest levels since January
Market Report
Dare to be different to make positive change: Joumana
Arts & Culture
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...
Economy
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...
Analysis
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
Most Read
Market Report
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...
- The Saudi Stock Exchange's general index recorded its lowest level since January and ended the week down by nine points
- The Dubai market managed to rise above 3200 points, supported by a rise in real estate and investment shares, during the week
Analysis
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...
- While the global manufacturing PMI is still comfortably within expansionary territory, there are signs of a slowdown or even reversal of economic activity
- Nevertheless, different growth patterns can be observed across regions and geographies, a latest report by Qatar National Bank (QNB) has highlighted.
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