Alphabet and Tesla in focus as markets demand more from Big Tech
"Three months ago investors were comfortable funding aggressive AI investment," Gilbert added. "Today they're asking tougher questions. Markets now want...
Analysis
Saudi public investment funds assets rise 20 percent in Q1 to $61 billion
Dubai, UAE -- Assets of Saudi Arabia's public investment funds rose 20 percent year-on-year to SAR231.7 billion ($61.8 billion) in...
Business
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.
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Alphabet and Tesla in focus as markets demand more from Big Tech
"Three months ago investors were comfortable funding aggressive AI investment," Gilbert added. "Today they're asking tougher questions. Markets now want...
Analysis
Company News
DIB H1 net profit $1bn
Business
Latest News
SIB H1 profit up 15.3%
Business
Major book publishers sue Google over use of copyrighted books to train AI models
Several major book publishers and authors have sued Google, alleging the technology company illegally copied millions of copyrighted books to...
Business
Ajman real estate transactions reach $2.94 billion in first half
Dubai, UAE -- Real estate transactions in Ajman totalled more than 10.8 billion dirhams ($2.94 billion) in the first half...
Business
Turkey’s exports to EU rise 4.7 percent to $55 billion in first half
Dubai, UAE -- Turkey's exports to the European Union rose 4.7 percent in the first half of 2026 to $55...
Business
Most Read
Business
Dubai diamond trade hits record $41.7 billion in 2025, DMCC says
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai's diamond trade rose to a record $41.7 billion in 2025, surpassing its previous high set in...
- Natural diamonds remained the dominant segment, generating $39.9 billion in trade, or 95.8 percent of the total value.
- Trade in natural polished diamonds rose nearly 25 percent year-on-year to $18.7 billion, while rough diamond volumes reached 205.2 million carats.
Business
flydubai Aleppo flights resumed
The flights were resumed after nearly 14 years.
- Scheduled to commence on 20th July 2026, Aleppo becomes flydubai’s second destination in Syria, joining the capital city, Damascus.
- The company said this reinforces the airline’s commitment to opening up previously underserved markets.
Business
DFDF backs MetaProp to boost PropTech investment
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) has committed capital to MetaProp Fund IV LP, making the New York-based...
- Partnership will introduce a Dubai accelerator module linking global PropTech startups with regional investors, developers and real estate stakeholders.
- MetaProp portfolio companies will gain access to DFDF's regional network as Dubai pursues its D33 innovation and diversification strategy.