Saudi construction growth eases to four-month low in September
Saudi Arabia’s construction sector continued to expand in September, although growth slowed to its weakest pace in four months as...
Business
Can the Middle East become a bigger driver of Accenture’s growth?
“The question for investors is," says Nagham Hassan, Market Analyst at etoro MENA, "whether AI will expand Accenture’s business or...
Analysis
Business
Abu Dhabi new business licenses rise 21% in first quarter, ADRA says
New economic licences issued in Abu Dhabi rose 21% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, reflecting...
- New licences rose 58% in Al Ain and 28% in Al Dhafra, outpacing growth in Abu Dhabi city.
- Thirty-four industrial facilities entered production during the quarter, supporting local manufacturing capacity and supply-chain development goals.
Economy
Bain identifies four priorities for sovereign wealth funds as assets approach $30 trillion
State-backed investors are expanding beyond traditional investment models, increasing exposure to alternatives, AI and direct deals while balancing returns with...
- Top 10 sovereign wealth funds hold more than 75% of global assets.
- Sovereign wealth funds reached about $15 trillion in assets under management in 2025.
Business
Saudi Arabia cuts US Treasury holdings by $9.5 billion in April
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia reduced its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities by $9.5 billion in April to $140.1 billion,...
- The decline followed a sharp increase earlier this year that had lifted Saudi holdings to a six-year high of $160.4 billion in February.
- Since then, the kingdom has pared back its exposure, largely through reductions in Treasury bills and other short-dated securities.
Business
Saudi tourist arrivals rise to 122.6 million in 2025, spending hits $81 billion
The growth was driven primarily by domestic travel, which reached 93.3 million tourists, up 8.3% from 2024, while inbound visitor...
- Leisure and holiday travel attracted 7 million visitors, while visits to friends and relatives totaled 4.4 million. Business travel rose 14% to 2.3 million visitors.
- Hospitality capacity expanded sharply, with licensed rooms rising 25.4% as tourism's contribution to GDP edged higher.
Business
AD Ports launches UAE-Iraq integrated logistics service
Dubai, UAE -- AD Ports Group has launched an integrated logistics service linking the UAE's Khalifa Port with Iraq's Umm...
- Weekly shipping link targets growing container and Ro-Ro traffic moving between Iraq, the UAE and neighbouring markets.
- Enhanced logistics capabilities at both ports aim to improve cargo handling efficiency and long-term supply chain resilience.
Business
Abu Dhabi climbs global startup rankings on AI and tech growth
The emirate was ranked in the #41-50 category globally, improving from the #51-60 range a year earlier and marking one...
- The report highlighted the role of Hub71 in supporting founders and technology companies as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global innovation hub.
- The report, unveiled at the VivaTech conference in Paris, analyzed data from more than 5.5 million companies across over 350 entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
Business
Gold extends winning streak as oil and dollar weaken
The U.S. Dollar Index fell to 99.53, giving back part of the gains it had recently recorded on safe-haven demand....
- Other precious metals also moved higher. Spot silver gained 0.3% to $70.38 an ounce, platinum rose 0.5% to $1,812.80, and palladium added 0.3% to $1,355.65.
- Brent crude futures fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.80 a barrel by 0340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $75.80 a barrel.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s residential market weakens in Q1 despite price gains
The slowdown was most pronounced in Riyadh, where transaction volumes and values dropped 82% from a year earlier. Activity also...
- Residential transaction volumes fell 50% year-on-year to 29,490 deals during the quarter, while the value of transactions declined 57% to SAR22 billion ($5.9 billion).
- Riyadh Grade A office occupancy held at 97%, supported by limited supply of high-quality workspace.
Business
Etihad enters largest summer season with more than 300 daily flights
Dubai, UAE -- Etihad Airways is entering its largest summer season on record, operating more than 300 flights a day...
- Airline launched four new destinations in four days and is restoring five seasonal routes across Europe and Africa.
- Fleet has expanded by 23 aircraft year-on-year, supporting near-record passenger loads approaching 90% occupancy levels.
Business
Dubai to award $15bn of Al Maktoum Airport projects by end-2026
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai plans to award strategic contracts worth more than AED55 billion ($15 billion) for the expansion of...
- Contracts worth AED13 billion are under execution, with more than 10 million work hours completed over 15 months.
- Dubai plans to award projects exceeding AED55 billion, including terminals, concourses, transport systems and infrastructure works.
Saudi construction growth eases to four-month low in September
Saudi Arabia’s construction sector continued to expand in September, although growth slowed to its weakest pace in four months as...
Business
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DEWA posts record H1 profit
Business
UAE insurance assets rise 6.1 percent to $44.9 billion in 2025
Assets held by UAE insurance companies rose 6.1 percent to AED164.9 billion ($44.9 billion) in 2025, the Central Bank of...
Geostrategy
Gold prices hit highest levels in three months, oil falls
Oil prices fell by more than $1 a barrel on Monday as investors took profits ahead of an expected US...
Business
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Business
Emarat, Dell Technologies sign AI adoption agreement
Emirates Petroleum Company P.J.S.C. (Emarat) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dell Technologies to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and...
- Emarat and Dell Technologies signed an agreement to accelerate intelligence adoption, identify use cases and strengthen data-driven decision-making.
- Emarat’s transformation agenda targets greater efficiency, resilience, stronger technology capabilities and sustainable growth through digital partnerships across sectors.
Business
Etihad Airways becomes first airline to accept Jaywan payments
Etihad Airways has become the first airline to accept Jaywan, the UAE’s national domestic card scheme, for flight bookings on...
- UAE customers can use Jaywan cards across Etihad’s network, while Royal holders will receive discounts and priority benefits.
- Etihad’s partnership with Al Etihad Payments follows a memorandum signed last October, deepening ties between airline and payments operator.
Saudi POS transactions fall to $3.8 billion in week ended Aug 15
Dubai, UAE -- Point-of-sale transactions in Saudi Arabia fell to nearly $3.79 billion in the week ended Aug. 15, from...
- Food and beverage purchases represented 15.5% of weekly spending, while restaurants and cafes accounted for another 12.9%.
- Electronic payments represented 85% of individual payments last year, exceeding the Financial Sector Development Program’s 70% target.