Qatar’s foreign investment jumps 52% as 2025 projects reach record levels
Qatar attracted $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment across 373 projects in 2025, a 52% increase in new investments from...
Business
Sharjah Chamber registers 30,000 memberships in H1
Dubai, UAE -- The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) reported an impressive surge in registered memberships in the...
Business
The DCO Council announces multilateral initiatives to bridge digital divide
Manama, Bahrain - The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to fostering digital prosperity for all by...
- Topics of discussion included cross-border market growth; the value of data; human-centric and sustainable digital economy
- The DCO Council also announced the joining of Bangladesh, Qatar, and Greece as the new member states
Business
Air cargo demand rebounds in 2023 amid economic uncertainty
Geneva, Switzerland-- Air cargo demand rebounded in 2023 with a particularly strong fourth quarter performance despite economic uncertainties, according to...
- Carriers across the Middle East recorded a jump in demand of 1.6 percent for international operations in 2023 compared to 2022
- Airlines in the region posted an 18.3% increase in December in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2022
Business
Rise of GenAI boosts phishing threats during holidays
The sophistication of GenAI-driven phishing attacks requires robust security, including advanced DDoS protection and proactive cyber resilience strategies, says an...
- The sophistication of GenAI-driven phishing attacks requires robust security, including advanced DDoS protection and proactive cyber resilience strategies, says an expert.
- Emad Fahmy of NETSCOUT recommends establishing strong passwords, exercising caution online, and extensive use of VPNs to enhance cybersecurity amid rising threats.
Business
GSK profit in 2023 falls
The drug maker said revenues swelled 3 percent to $38.54bn.
- Profit after tax slid sharply to £4.9 billion ($6.2 billion) last year from £14.9 billion in 2022, when it received a massive gain from the Haleon demerger
- However, underlying adjusted operating profit, excluding exceptional items, jumped 12 percent to £8.8 billion last year to beat company guidance
Business
Global stock markets swing ahead of Fed’s latest rate decision
"Markets are eagerly anticipating today's meeting from the Federal Reserve with traders looking for signs over whether a March rate...
- London and Paris rose but Frankfurt fell near the half-way stage, after a mixed showing in Asia. The dollar edged higher against the euro and yen
- Investors are hoping the Fed will begin cutting rates soon after hiking them to their highest level in more than two decades to combat inflation
Geostrategy
IMF says Red Sea shipping down one-third due to Houthi attacks
"Container shipping... has declined by almost 30 percent," said Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia...
- The Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels since November 19, the Pentagon said on Tuesday
- Houthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a route that carries about 12 percent of global trade
Business
Middle Eastern carriers record 1.6% increase in air cargo demand: IATA
Geneva, Switzerland -- Middle Eastern carriers reported a 1.6 percent increase for global and international demand in 2023 compared to 2022...
- In December, airlines in the region posted an 18.3 percent increase in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2022.
- Global full-year demand in 2023, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTKs), was down 1.9 percent compared to 2022 (-2.2 percent for international operations).
Business
CBD posts record net profit of $721m
The bank has proposed record cash dividend of 44.38 fils per share.
- Operating income was AED 4.93 billion, up 29.5 percent attributable to higher net interest income and improved fee and commission income.
- The bank proposed record cash dividend of 44.38 fils per share. It added that higher market interest rates contributed to the increase in revenue.
Business
Qatar awards $6bn in contracts for Al-Shaheen oilfield expansion
The four engineering, installation and procurement contracts will increase production at the Al-Shaheen oilfield -- the country's largest -- by...
- Al-Shaheen currently produces 300,000 barrels per day and is operated through the North Oil Company, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and France's TotalEnergies.
- QatarEnergy said the third phase of expansion at Al-Shaheen, which began production in 1994, will be implemented over five years.
Business
TECOM Group net profit up 49%
The company recorded its highest-ever revenue of AED 2.2 billion.
- The lease of industrial lands witnessed a strong demand in 2023, as the occupancy rate rose to 94 percent, compared to 81 percent in 2022.
- The company has recommended a dividend payout of AED400 million to the company's shareholders for the second half of 2023.
Qatar’s foreign investment jumps 52% as 2025 projects reach record levels
Qatar attracted $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment across 373 projects in 2025, a 52% increase in new investments from...
Business
Company News
Masdar issues $1bn bond
Business
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SABIC net loss $322 million
Business
Portugal’s Felix joins Ronaldo at Al Nassr in Saudi
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Portuguese forward Joao Felix has signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, where he...
Arts & Culture
Palantir, the AI giant that preaches US dominance
Palo Alto, United States - Palantir, an American data analysis and artificial intelligence company, has emerged as Silicon Valley's latest...
Business
DIFC records 25 percent rise in registered firms in H1 2025
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South...
Business
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Geostrategy
Urgent need for ‘global approach’ on AI regulation: UN tech chief
Geneva, Switzerland -- The world urgently needs to find a global approach on regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top...
- Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said regulation was key as concerns rise over fast-moving technology.
- Bogdan-Martin, the first woman to serve as ITU secretary-general in the organization's nearly 160-year history, also stressed the need to get more women into the digital space.
Business
Eni profit falls due to dip in oil prices
Q2 net profit fell by 18% to $637 million.
- Revenues also declined in the second quarter by 14 percent year-on-year to 18.8 billion euros, the company said in a statement.
- The oil giant also confirmed its production target of 1.7 million barrels of oil a day for the current year, despite a three percent decline in the second quarter.
Business
Emirates NBD H1 profit $3.40bn
Total income rose by 12 percent in the same period.
- Lending increased by AED41 billion, or 8 percent, during the first half of 2025, fueled by very strong demand both in the UAE and across its growing international network.
- Operating profit grew 9 percent as the strong loan and deposit growth momentum easily absorbed earlier interest rate cuts.