Why flexibility is non-negotiable in the Middle East’s AI transformation
The region is a mosaic of digital ambitions where distinct national strategies are unfolding simultaneously. While the UAE accelerates its...
Analysis
Business
Europe stocks rise, Asia tepid as oil jumps and Bitcoin shines
Following record highs in 2023 for the likes of Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, investors are predicting more gains as central...
- Bitcoin broke $45,000 for the first time since April 2022 on optimism that the United States would allow wider trading of the world's biggest cryptocurrency.
- Despite the upbeat outlook on rates, Asian markets started the year with little fanfare. Hong Kong and Shanghai each extended last year's losses
Economy
China’s new tariffs policy to hasten industrial transformation
Beijing, China -- China's import and export tariff adjustments on some goods took effect on Monday, including implementing provisional import...
- China lowered import tariffs on resources and NEVs, aiming to enhance competitiveness and secure supplies.
- Tariffs on medicines and food for medical purposes were cut, reflecting a focus on health and consumer needs.
Business
flynas flies over 11m passengers in 2023, up 28 percent from 2022
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – flynas reported record results for its performance in 2023 compared to the previous year 2022, with...
- The low-cost carrier has taken delivery of 19 new aircraft during 2023, upscaling fleet size to 64, a rise of over 35 percent.
- flynas launched 57 new destinations and increased seat capacity by 22 percent for domestic and international flights in 2023.
Economy
Qatar’s industrial sector PPI down in Nov on lower oil prices
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's Producer Price Index (PPI) of the industrial sector in the country for November was 118.65 points,...
- Qatar's industrial PPI fell 1.95% in November, driven by oil price drops in mining and some manufacturing sectors.
- Electricity prices defied the trend, showing MoM and YoY increases, while water prices dipped MoM but rose slightly YoY.
Business
Card transactions drive 8 percent Saudi spending growth in Nov
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia --Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia grew by 8 percent to SAR 111.5 billion ($29.73 billion) in November...
- Point-of-sale purchases led the charge, rising 12% year-over-year as Saudi Arabia embraces cashless shopping.
- Cash withdrawals from ATMs rose by almost 1 percent YoY to roughly SAR 45.6 billion in November.
Business
Halliburton, Hamriyah Free Zone in pact
Halliburton has been operating in the UAE for five decades.
- Under the agreement, Halliburton will expand its footprint within the UAE by establishing a cutting-edge facility for calibrating drilling tools used in the oil industry
- The state-of-the-art facility is set to occupy a substantial area of more than one million square feet within the Hamriyah Free Zone
Business
MODON launches 10 projects
The projects in 6 industrial cities are valued at $143 million.
- These projects, conducted in collaboration with several national companies, aim to foster opportunities for value chain initiatives and bolster local content.
- Among the agreements, MODON has inked a contract for establishing 80 factories and ready-made products in Al-Ahsa and Taif's industrial cities.
Business
Bitcoin crosses $45,000 for first time since April 2022
Dubai, UAE--Bitcoin stormed above $45,000 on Tuesday for the first time since April 2022. Bitcoin touched a 21-month peak of...
- It reached a 21-month peak of $45,532, having gained 156% last year in its strongest yearly performance since 2020
- Expectations that major central banks will cut interest rates this year has also been a boon for cryptocurrencies
Business
UAE to press firms with 20-49 staff to hire at least one Emirati in 2024
Dubai, UAE--The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has started implementing the cabinet decision to expand the scope...
- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation notified more than 12,000 companies to comply with the decision, providing them sufficient time to meet their required targets
- The ministry said it will continue to hold training workshops to educate companies subject to the decision about the procedures to follow in order to meet their required targets
Business
ADIB-Egypt introduces Shariah-compliant private banking services for HNWIs
Cairo, Egypt – ADIB-Egypt has launched its exclusive portfolio of Private Banking Services, providing a Shariah-compliant banking proposition for its high-net-worth...
- ADIB-Egypt’s Private Banking platform also provides access to Financial Advisory services led by specialized experts, to help clients' wealth achieve its full potential
- ADIB is also introducing a new service granting clients exclusive access to premier banking products and services in the United Arab Emirates
Company News
TAQA net income $1.93bn in 2024
Business
Latest News
ADNOC L&S 2024 net profit $756m
Business
ADNOC’s listed companies post over $2.3 billion net profit in first quarter
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- ADNOC Group's publicly traded portfolio companies combined to deliver over $2.3 billion (AED8.4 billion) in first...
Business
Real estate transactions in five UAE emirates reach $65 billion in Q1
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Real estate transactions across five emirates in the UAE surged to over AED 239 billion ($65...
Business
Trump expands Apple tariff threat to all smartphones
Washington, United States -- US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Apple and other smartphone manufacturers with a 25 percent...
Business
Most Read
Business
Trump threatens Apple with a 25% tariff if iPhones aren’t made in US
Washington, United States -- US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Apple with a 25 percent tariff if the iPhones...
- Trump's sweeping tariffs on major US trading partners have roiled global markets and upended international commerce.
- Trump's comments Friday echo statements he made last week while on a trip to Qatar, urging Apple to bring iPhone production to US shores.
Business
TOURISE 2025: Riyadh to host premier summit for sustainable tourism
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has officially unveiled TOURISE, a groundbreaking global platform set...
- The inaugural TOURISE 2025 event will take place in Riyadh from November 11-13, bringing together public and private sector leaders, experts, and investors.
- Nominations will be accepted via an online portal, with winners announced at a dedicated ceremony during the platform.
Business
Trump administration refocuses US-China chip war on AI and Huawei
Beijing, China -- The United States has taken aim at China's Huawei over the cutting-edge chips powering artificial intelligence (AI),...
- The Trump administration is seeking to change the ways the US limits China's access to state-of-the-art semiconductors needed to develop AI.
- Chinese firms like Alibaba and Xiaomi have announced huge investments in AI in what experts say feeds into a national goal to cut reliance on foreign suppliers.