GCC banks need stronger safeguards amid geopolitical uncertainty, KPMG says
KPMG says banks can strengthen portfolios through scenario analysis, stronger governance and monitoring as geopolitical tensions threaten borrowers, funding conditions...
Analysis
Cyber resilience is more than recovering from an attack
The question is no longer if an organization will experience a cyber incident. It is how well it will respond...
Opinion
Business
AI to replace 4,000 jobs in Southeast Asia’s largest bank: DBS
Singapore, Singapore -- Southeast Asia's largest bank DBS said that 4,000 jobs could be cut in the next three years...
- A Bloomberg Intelligence report last month said banks worldwide will cut as many as 200,000 positions in the next three to five years due to AI.
- Last year, the International Monetary Fund said AI could affect around 40 percent of jobs around the world.
Asian markets swing as traders assess latest tariffs volley
Asian markets were mixed Wednesday after President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, while traders were also assessing the geopolitical...
- Tariffs around 25 percent to be imposed on auto imports, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals
- He (Trump) risked triggering inflation, market distortions and even a global recession- China's ambassador to the WTO
Business
$2.65bn in contracts signed during first two days of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Tawazun Council, UAE's authority responsible for managing acquisitions, procurement, and contracts on behalf of the Ministry...
- Tawazun Council signed five deals worth a total of AED 5.8 billion with local and international companies on the second day of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025.
- Tawazun Council is UAE's authority responsible for managing acquisitions, procurement, and contracts on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and security agencies.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s sports fund invests in DAZN streaming service
Paris, France - Saudi Arabian sports investment fund SURJ, linked to the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, has acquired a minority stake...
- SURJ, originally named SRJ, was established in August 2024 by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) "to invest in acquiring and creating new sports events
- SURJ and DAZN will work closely to establish DAZN MENA, a joint venture that will unlock new broadcasting opportunities for Saudi Arabia's growing sports sector
Business
Cyprus and Egypt sign deal to process, export gas to Europe
Nicosia, Cyprus -- Cyprus and Egypt on Monday signed an agreement with an energy consortium to export gas from the Mediterranean...
- The gas will be transported and processed in Egypt at "existing Zohr facilities to be then liquefied in the Damietta (liquified natural gas) LNG plant for export to European market
- Europe has been seeking alternative sources of natural gas since Russia invaded Ukraine almost three years ago.
FAB delivers strong results in 2024 with profit before tax of AED 19.9 billion, up 13% yoy
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has achieved solid results in 2024 with Group net profit reaching AED 17.1 billion, up...
- The performance marks consecutive years of sustained growth in scale and profitability
- FAB’s Board of Directors recommends a cash dividend of 75 fils per share
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate 2 percent in Jan, rental prices main driver
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate in Jan 2025 reached 2 percent compared to January 2024, the...
- According to GASTAT, Saudi Arabia's inflation rate is considered the lowest among the G20 countries.
- CPI measures the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items.
Business
OpenAI board rejects Elon Musk-led $97.4 billion buyout offer
San Francisco, United States -- OpenAI's board chairman on Friday said it has unanimously rejected an Elon Musk-led offer to buy...
- Musk filed court documents saying he will withdraw the offer to buy OpenAI if its board returns the artificial intelligence pioneer to a non-profit "charity" model.
- OpenAI currently operates a hybrid structure, as a non-profit with a money-making subsidiary.
Business
AD Ports Group 2024 net profit $484m
The Group's revenue increased 48 percent year-on-year.
- Net profit attributable to owners grew 24 percent YoY to AED1.33 billion led by strong operating performance.
- Total assets grew by 15 percent YoY to AED63.70 billion in 2024 while total equity increased 15 percent YoY to AED27.83 billion.
Nissan, Honda shares surge after merger talks scrapped
Nissan and Honda shares surged in Tokyo Friday after the auto giants confirmed they scrapped merger talks and Nissan detailed...
- Nissan shares soared 8.17 percent to 449 yen in early trade before easing to 439.5 yen
- Honda shares rose 4.46 percent to 1,498 yen, before easing to 1.487 yen
GCC banks need stronger safeguards amid geopolitical uncertainty, KPMG says
KPMG says banks can strengthen portfolios through scenario analysis, stronger governance and monitoring as geopolitical tensions threaten borrowers, funding conditions...
Analysis
Company News
Google to invest $6.4bn
Business
Pfizer poised to buy Metsera
Business
Latest News
Ozempic maker lowers outlook
Business
Kimberly-Clark to buy Kenvue
Business
IHC shareholders approve share buyback of up to $1.36 billion
The proposed buyback represents about 0.6% of the company’s total shares. The board of directors has been authorized to take...
Business
Most Read
Opinion
AI can screen talent, only humans can see it
Cultural nuance matters deeply in MENA. Communication styles differ across the Gulf, the Levant, and North Africa. Comfort with camera-based...
- Systems trained on narrow behavioral norms may inadvertently penalize those who express themselves differently.
- In societies where interpersonal trust and relational fit remain central to business culture, removing human judgment entirely could be counterproductive.
Business
DP World 2025 revenue $24.4bn
The profit for the year up 32.2% to reach $1.96bn.
- DP World invested $3.1 billion in 2025 capex, expanding global port capacity to 109 million TEU.
- The company cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions 14% from 2022 levels, with 67% of electricity sourced from renewables.
Business
Aramco 2025 net profit $104bn, to pay $85.4 bn in dividends
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Aramco) reported a net profit of $104.7 billion for 2025, a decline from...
- Earlier in the year, Aramco’s board declared quarterly dividends, including a base dividend of around $21.1 billion for the second quarter of 2025.
- Aramco’s dividend policy combines a base dividend with a performance-linked component tied to financial results and cash flow.