UAE tourism generates $12.24bn in hotel revenues in 2024: Minister
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion ( $12.24 billion) in 2024, reflecting...
Business
Saudi Arabia’s travel account surplus reaches nearly $13.27bn
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector achieved a record surplus in the 2024 travel account, reaching SAR49.8 billion...
Business
Business
Qatar Airways boss skeptical on aviation industry’s 2050 net zero target
DOHA, QATAR - Qatar Airways' chief executive on Tuesday doused hopes that the aviation industry can become carbon neutral by 2050,...
- Not enough sustainable aviation fuel is being produced, and technological hurdles remain to using hydrogen as a replacement.
- In 2021, the International Air Transport Association's member airlines committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Business
Gazprom 2022 profit at US$15bn
With Europe off limits, Gazprom has turned toward Asia.
- Gazprom said, "Profit margins were impacted by an increase in tax payments in the second half of the year."
- Western sanctions have heavily impacted the company headed by Alexei Miller, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
Business
Meta sells Giphy at over $260m loss
Meta had purchased Giphy in May 2020 for $315 million.
- Shutterstock paid $53 million in cash for Giphy in a deal that came months after the divestment order by Britain's CMA.
- Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, the CMA has proven to be one of the toughest antitrust regulators of big tech companies.
Arts & Culture
Watch owned by China’s last emperor sells for $5m
Emperor Aisin-Gioro Puyi had brought the watch with him to a Soviet prison camp where he was brought after the...
- Emperor at the age of two in 1908, Puyi was immortalised by Bernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning film but left a mixed legacy.
- A Patek Philippe "Grandmaster Chime" sold for $31 million in 2019. It is said to be the most complex timepiece the luxury watchmaker has ever created, with 20 complications.
Geostrategy
UK Business Secretary to visit Gulf countries to boost trade ties
LONDON, UK - British Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will hold talks for a modern, comprehensive trade deal as...
- British Business and Trade Secretary said, "We already have a strong trade and investment relationship with the Gulf nations."
- She said, "The GCC represents an enormous opportunity for UK firms, whether it’s selling brilliant British food and drink products."
Science
Humans must stay in control of AI, European trade union chief warns
BERLIN, GERMANY — No employee should be “subject to the will of a machine”, European trade union chief Esther Lynch...
- In the same way that EU treaties protect health and safety in the workplace, rules are needed to guarantee “the human-in-control principle” when it comes to AI, Lynch said.
- Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation since last December, will head the four-day ETUC Congress that kicks off in the German capital.
Business
Kingdom Holding Q1 net profit down 97%
The firm's net profit in Q1 2022 was $1.57bn versus $46m in Q1 23.
- The company said the fall in net profit was mainly because of one-off gains accrued in the first quarter of 2022 due to the sale of its stake in Four Seasons Holding.
- The drop was also attributed to decrease in share of results from equity-accounted investees, decrease in hotels and other operating revenues.
Geostrategy
SCCI discusses trade with Guatemalan, Indonesian delegations
SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has discussed strengthening trade and economic ties with diplomatic...
- The discussions focused on amplifying bilateral relations in industry, agriculture, food security, livestock and broadening trade exchanges.
- SCCI invited Indonesian businessmen to visit Sharjah to see the progress on existing projects and experience the facilities the emirate offers.
Business
NDMC to invest $60m in ADNOC (L&S) IPO
The decision came a day after ADNOC raised the size of the offering.
- NDMC said doubling the investment in the IPO was part of its strategy to diversify its business and investments.
- ADNOC will now offer 1.40 billion ordinary shares, equivalent to 19 percent of the Company’s total issued share capital.
Business
UAE Corporate Tax: Ministry streamlines accounting standards, social security funds, tax exemptions
The latest decisions aim to enhance UAE's Corporate Tax regime's flexibility and support all business sectors, minimizing the compliance burden,...
- The decision on pension funds sets out further conditions for private regulated pension funds and social security funds in the UAE seeking exemption from corporate tax.
- The decision on accounting standards provides small and medium businesses that have revenues not exceeding AED50 million with the option of applying IFRS for SMEs.
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
UAE tourism generates $12.24bn in hotel revenues in 2024: Minister
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion ( $12.24 billion) in 2024, reflecting...
Business
Company News
Bayanat, Yahsat to merge
Business
Latest News
UAE plans to issue bonds, Sukuk valued at $1.3bn in Q1 2024, says official
HONG KONG - UAE Ministry of Finance Undersecretary Younis Haji Al Khoori announced that the ministry's issuance of bonds and...
Business
Deals worth $26.66 billion signed at Real Estate Future Forum 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Deals worth more than $26 billion were signed at the Real Estate Future Forum 2024, which...
Business
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Business
UAE-Hong Kong non-oil foreign trade surges to US$16.23 billion
Hong Kong--Non-oil foreign trade value between the UAE and Hong Kong expanded in the past year, reaching $16.2 billion in...
- The Hong Kong official said that the non-oil foreign trade value grew between the UAE and Hong Kong in the past year, reaching $16.2 billion in 2023
- He said the Hong Kong companies are keen to invest in the UAE in sectors such as infrastructure, information technology, financial technology and health technology
Business
Nokia sees ‘challenging’ 2024
Last year, the company reported a profit of $739 million.
- Nokia and its Swedish rival Ericsson have launched cost-cutting programmes as their customers have reduced spending amid a slowing global economy.
- Nokia said last year it could cut its workforce by up to 14,000 people, reducing costs by up to 1.2 billion euros by 2026
Business
Emirates Islamic profit rises 71%
The Bank’s total income reached AED 1.2 billion ($326.69 million)
- The growth can be attributed to the upward trajectory of both funded and non-funded income, indicating enhanced business sentiment
- The Bank’s total income reached AED 1.2 billion ($326.69 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking a noteworthy 24% year-on-year growth