UAE’s working mothers get extended maternity leave
The Gulf country is setting a new benchmark for supporting working mothers by doubling the mandated maternity leave to 120...
Business
Business
Saudi-French Investment Forum signs $2.9 billion worth of agreements
The Saudi-French Investment Forum witnessed the signing of 24 MoUs and investment agreements, collectively valued at approximately $2.9 billion. The...
- The agreements provide opportunities for increased investment and collaboration in diverse sectors
- Trade volume between France and Saudi Arabia surged by over 80% in 2022, reaching $11.5 billion
Economy
Oman’s economic growth to reach 2.7 percent in 2024, says IMF
MUSCAT, OMAN - Oman’s economic growth is expected to rebound to 2.7 percent in 2024 but will slip in 2023...
- The projections reflect the oil production cuts by OPEC+, moderate growth in the non-hydrocarbon sector and a slowdown in global economic activity.
- Oman's real GDP rose by 4.3 percent in 2022, basically on an expansion of the hydrocarbon sector.
Business
ADIB, ADIO to fund businesses
ADIB will facilitate the opening of Shariah-compliant bank accounts.
- This strategic move ensures that businesses have access to banking solutions that align with Islamic principles, ADIB said in a statement.
- ADIB will also provide financing options based on collateral in the form of on-ground operating assets such as real estate, equipment, and machinery, the bank said.
Business
India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 Airbus A320
Indian carrier IndiGo said it had ordered a 500 A320 airliners from European manufacturer Airbus at the Paris Air Show....
- Airbus boss Guillaume Faury said the signing was "an enormous milestone, to our knowledge and recollection no-one has ever ordered" so many planes at a stroke.
- With an order book now at over 1,300 aircraft, the contract also makes IndiGo Airbus' largest customer for the A320 family.
Business
PIF to set up pharma firm Lifera
Lifera is a development and manufacturing company.
- Lifera will primarily focus on producing life-saving and essential pharmaceutical products, including insulins, vaccines, plasma therapeutics.
- PIF has also invested in the National Unified Procurement Company (Nupco), a prominent provider of medical procurement, storage, and distribution services for medicines.
Business
Combined profit of capital market institutions in Saudi Arabia falls
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The combined profit of capital market institutions in Saudi Arabia dropped 19 percent to US$306 million...
- The combined profit of capital market institutions in KSA was S$381 million in Q1 2022.
- Revenues fell 2 percent to US$730 million in Q1 2023 from $744 million in Q1 2022.
Business
Mubadala investee firms sign pact
The partnership involves Tata Power Renewables, Princeton Digital.
- Under the agreement, PDG and Tata Power Renewables have co-invested in a captive power plant that will supply electricity to PDG’s MU1 data center in Airoli, Mumbai.
- First power from the solar plant, located in the Nanded district in the Indian state of Maharashtra, will be generated in June 2023.
Economy
UAE, ILO ink agreement to enhance labor inspection capabilities
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The UAE has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to collaborate in labor...
- The agreement, signed by UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, aims to develop the skills and capabilities of inspectors at the ministry.
- The pact enables the ministry's officials to carry out inspections proactively and enhance their capacities in line with the best international practices.
Economy
Iran-EAEU free trade zone agreement can be signed by year’s end: Russian deputy PM
Tehran, Iran-- A free trade zone agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will be signed before the...
- According to the deputy prime minister, Russia was in talks with "friendly" countries like Egypt, India, Indonesia, and the UAE as they are growing markets
- He said negotiations for an agreement like this were complex and that the negotiators have to take into account a lot of different interest of member states
Business
Saudi Arabia unveils AROYA Cruises to boost tourism industry
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia has unveiled its own cruise-line brand called AROYA Cruises to fuel growth in its tourism...
- Saudi Arabia is looking to become a global tourist destination by the end of the decade in line with its goals outlined in Vision 2030
- The Saudi tourism department is aiming to attract 1.3 million cruise visitors by 2035 and providing some 50,000 direct and indiret jobs
UAE’s working mothers get extended maternity leave
The Gulf country is setting a new benchmark for supporting working mothers by doubling the mandated maternity leave to 120...
Business
Company News
Volkswagen to reduce workforce
Business
BAT takes shock $32bn hit
Business
Latest News
SEC, Emaar Economic City sign agreements Â
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and its subsidiary National Electricity Transmission (NET) have signed here two...
Business
CES gadget fest a showcase for AI-infused lifestyle
The annual Consumer Electronics Show gathering boasts more than 3,500 exhibitors and is expecting some 130,000 visitors. Companies big and...
Business
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Oil prices slump but stock markets mostly higher
Wall Street indices enjoyed solid gains, including the Dow, which mustered a 0.6 percent advance in spite of an eight...
- US and European oil futures fell around four percent after top exporter Saudi Arabia cut the price of its crude, weighing also on shares of energy majors, analysts said
- Drop in oil prices weighed on energy shares, with Shell down 2.9Â percent as investors reacted to mixed trading update ahead of British oil major's annual earnings due next month
Business
Samsung expects profit dip
The tech giant forecasts profit to fall to US$2.1bn for Q4.
- The tech giant said in October that it expected better conditions for the memory market in 2024
- The South Korean firm is expected to release its final earnings report for 2023 at the end of this month
Business
Bitcoin surpasses $47,000, first time since March 30, 2022
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Bitcoin surged above $47,000 on January 9, marking its highest value since March 30, 2022, as...
- Bitcoin, originating in 2008 under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, operates as a decentralized digital currency
- The robust trading volumes in Bitcoin mining firms signal a heightened investor interest, underlining the increasing prominence of cryptocurrencies