Sharjah real estate transactions rise 9.3 percent to AED29.5 billion in H1
Dubai, UAE -- Sharjah's real estate transactions rose 9.3 percent year on year to about AED29.5 billion ($8.03 billion) in...
Business
Opinion
Innovative building codes transform MENA construction
Two emerging construction processes gaining popularity, especially in the MENA region, are 3D printing of concrete structures and offsite construction....
- Building codes evolve to support clean energy, innovative methods, and circular economy principles.
- Emerging technologies like 3D printing and offsite construction optimize efficiency and sustainability.
Business
MENA startups optimistic despite funding fluctuations
In January 2024, MENA startup funding dropped 34% to US$ 86.5 million across 33 deals, with the UAE leading, followed...
- In January 2024, MENA startup funding dropped 34% to US$ 86.5 million across 33 deals, with the UAE leading, followed by Egypt's recovery and Saudi Arabia's steady input.
- Last month's funding spotlighted travel, fintech, health, and mobility sectors, with Pre-Seed and Seed stages leading, underscoring strong support for early-stage startups.
Business
Asian markets rally after Wall Street highs, oil prices slide
"The weakness of yesterday's US retail sales release have given market doves a new lease of life and allowed them...
- Wall Street had leapt Thursday after the US Commerce Department reported a larger-than-expected 0.8-percent decline in retail sales for January
- London equities also jumped as investors drew comfort from a contrasting January rebound in UK retail sales, one day after gloomy news that Britain entered recession
Business
NatWest profit soars 32%
The British bank's net profit jumped to US$5.5bn in 2023.
- The bank said that Paul Thwaite would become permanent chief executive in the wake of boardroom turmoil
- Thwaite takes over from Alison Rose, who resigned as CEO in July after admitting a "serious error of judgment"
Business
Mawani completes Red Sea Gateway Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, announced the completion of the Red Sea Gateway Terminal at Jeddah...
- The gateway terminal has larger capacity, is equipped with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature, and uses 146 different types of equipment
- The development of Jeddah Islamic Port’s North Container Terminal is included in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract
Business
Tenaris sets up base in Abu Dhabi
The global pipe maker invested US$60m in the business.
- The new complex is expected to generate technical and administrative job opportunities for UAE nationals
- The newly built complex represents the first of its kind in the UAE to thread full-length premium connections
Business
AI in the Middle East: From potential to profit
The region is making significant strides in integrating AI into various sectors, promising substantial productivity gains and innovation, a latest...
- The region is making significant strides in integrating AI into various sectors, promising substantial productivity gains and innovation, a latest report points out.
- The Boston Consulting Group report reveals that 61% of Middle Eastern executives anticipate over 10 percent productivity gains from AI and GenAI in 2024.
Business
Americana Restaurants posts profit.
The annual net profit in 2022 was US$470 million.
- The company demonstrated resilient performance, despite US$106 million impact of unfavorable foreign exchange movements.
- Adjusted EBITDA increased to $550.8 million, reflecting a 2.8 percent growth year-on-year with a healthy adjusted margin of 22.8 percent.
Business
QEWC 2023 net profit US$426m
QEWC market share in supply of electricity was 61 percent.
- The earnings per share amounted to US$0.38 (QR 1.41) as of December 31, 2023.
- QEWC reported revenue of $799 million in 2023 compared to $747 million in 2022.
Business
Google AI research hub in Paris to host 300 experts
The new hub part of a trend for big tech firms to base teams in European centers.
- In recent years, Google has poured investment into its engineering facility in Zurich, which also houses AI-focused teams from Meta, Apple and Microsoft.
- The French capital has long pushed to be regarded as a cutting-edge hub for tech firms, and Meta established an AI research team there in 2015
Sharjah real estate transactions rise 9.3 percent to AED29.5 billion in H1
Dubai, UAE -- Sharjah's real estate transactions rose 9.3 percent year on year to about AED29.5 billion ($8.03 billion) in...
Business
Company News
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Creators HQ attracts 2,415 active members from 147 countries
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s Creator HQ, the first headquarters for content creators in the UAE and the Middle East, has...
Business
Buraidah date carnival boosts Saudi tourism and economy
Buraidah, Saudi Arabia -- The Buraidah Date Carnival witnessed growing economic and tourism activity, making it a key destination for...
Business
Trump, Intel announce deal giving US a 10% stake in chipmaker
Chipmaker Intel has agreed to give the US government a 10-percent stake in its business, the company and President Donald...
Business
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Business
Boeing in talks to sell up to 500 planes to China: Bloomberg
New York, United States -- US aviation giant Boeing is in talks to sell up to 500 aircraft to Chinese...
- The deal would be a major win for the struggling US manufacturer, with company shares rising as high as 3.7 percent in pre-market trades.
- Bloomberg's sources said the deal would be contingent on Washington and Beijing coming to a longer-term agreement in their simmering trade war.
Business
Google packs new Pixel phones with Artificial Intelligence
New York, United States -- Google on Wednesday unveiled new Pixel 10 smartphones, showcasing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities woven into...
- The line-up of new products included a foldable phone, improved Pixel smartwatch, and ear buds all synced to work with AI and each other.
- Samsung has made AI a centerpiece of its Galaxy smartphone line and recently released a new Galaxy Z Fold7.
Business
Turkish Airlines says offer to buy stake in Spain’s Air Europa accepted
Turkish Airlines on Tuesday said Air Europa had accepted its 300-million-euro ($350 million) offer to purchase a minority stake in...
- In a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange regulator (KAP), the Turkish flag carrier said "the binding offer submitted has been accepted by Air Europa."
- "The minority shareholding ratio to be acquired will be finalised following technical and financial adjustments to be made at the closing," it said.