Syria to start replacing currency from Jan 1: central bank chief
Syria's central bank chief said Thursday that the country's currency would start to be replaced with a revamped version from...
Economy
Qatar’s economic momentum accelerates as diversification gains global recognition
However, Qatar faces downside risks from a deeper global economic slowdown that could weaken energy demand and LNG prices amid...
Economy
Economy
Morocco doles out aid to low-income families
The launch comes a decade after the social benefits program was proposed, and as part of an overhaul of social...
- Beneficiaries will receive a direct monthly payment starting at 500 dirhams ($50)
- The aid to families was expected to cost Morocco $2.52 billion through 2024
Economy
Sustainable mobility rises as GCC turns to hydrogen
MENA countries, adopting ambitious clean energy and transportation strategies, aim for significant hydrogen production by 2050, led by UAE's National...
- MENA countries, adopting ambitious clean energy and transportation strategies, aim for significant hydrogen production by 2050, led by UAE's National Hydrogen Strategy.
- The BMW Group's innovative electric and hydrogen vehicles, showcased at COP28, underscore a pivotal shift in the GCC and MENA regions towards a greener, cleaner future.
Economy
ADDED, Siemens Energy to support sustainable industrial development in Emirate
ABU DHABI, UAE - Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), represented by Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), and Siemens Energy...
- The collaboration supports Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy's vision to establish the Emirate as the most competitive industrial hub in the region.
- Siemens Energy will support IDB to localize the manufacturing capabilities in Abu Dhabi and provide technological solutions.
Economy
Saudi Arabia jumps to second rank in ICT index among G20 nations
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia jumped 10 ranks to second place among the G20 countries according to International Telecommunication...
- The index monitors the economies of 169 countries to measure their progress in ICT services through two main pillars ‘universal connectivity’ and ‘meaningful connectivity.
- It reflects the robust and developed digital infrastructure, with an increase of 99 percent of Internet penetration rate in Saudi Arabia.
Economy
Kuwait’s annual inflation jumps to 3.79% in November
According to the Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau, the upward trend was mainly attributed to rising prices across all major groups...
- There was a 6.86% jump in the clothing group and a 3.13% rise in housing services
- Culture and entertainment sectors surged by 3.54%, and education costs rose by 0.72%
Economy
‘Use AI to bridge global economic gaps, promote peace’
“To ensure AI makes ethical, inclusive, and prosperous decisions, we must educate ourselves on its workings. It’s crucial to manage...
- Omran Sharaf, the UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister, stresses the importance of respecting differences for proper AI development in national and regional contexts.
- He underscores AI's role in technological advancement, sustainable development, and the need for an effective international AI governance framework.
Geostrategy
FTA issues guide to determine natural persons subject to corporate tax
ABU DHABI, UAE - The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has issued a new guide outlining the criteria to determine natural...
- The guide provides a comprehensive and simplified explanation and instructions for natural persons earning in the UAE.
- The FTA emphasized the importance of understanding the comprehensive content and definitions outlined in the guide.
Business
Oman to expand production of green hydrogen to boost non-oil economy
Hong Kong - The government of Oman’s targets to expand local green hydrogen production could support key credit metrics, such as...
- The government aims to raise renewable energy-based hydrogen production to at least one million metric tonnes (mt)/year by 2030.
- Local state-owned enterprise Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) signed six investment agreements, worth over US$38 billion, with partners in 2023.
Geostrategy
SFD-financed Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania inaugurated
Dubai, UAE -- The Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania, which has been financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)...
- The project will improve the efficiency of Mauritania's water, irrigation and drainage facilities, while delivering agricultural equipment and potable water to farmers.
- Since 1979, the fund has contributed toward 20 development projects in Mauritania, at a value of over $665 million.
Economy
Russia won’t consider ratings while granting loans to countries
Previously, to be eligible for a loan from Moscow, a country could not be categorized in the sixth or lower...
- Additionally, loans were not extended to countries with long-term creditworthiness ratings below B- from Fitch or Standard & Poor’s, or below B3 from Moody’s.
- Under the new decree, Russia will no longer adhere to international institutions' recommendations when extending loans to other countries.
Syria to start replacing currency from Jan 1: central bank chief
Syria's central bank chief said Thursday that the country's currency would start to be replaced with a revamped version from...
Economy
Company News
Readying for jobs of tomorrow: WEF’s Till Leopold stresses upskilling
World Economic Forum
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Lithium-sulfur batteries will transform energy storage, says Lyten’s Horvath
World Economic Forum
Global rice output in 2024/25 likely to expand by 1.5%: FAO
Rome, Italy --Â The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a new Cereal Supply and Demand...
Geostrategy
Warren Buffett says will retire from Berkshire Hathaway by year’s end
Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a medium-sized textile company when he bought it in the 1960s into a giant conglomerate,
Economy
OPEC+ countries to open the oil taps despite price slump
Saudi Arabia, along with Russia and six other members of the oil cartel, will implement a production adjustment of 411,000...
Economy
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Economy
Massive GCC infrastructure investments set stage for rising foreign equity: Franklin Templeton
The Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened...
- The FTEME outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened their capital markets, and diversified their economies
- The report highlights a striking decline in the equity risk premium (ERP) in the GCC — from 6.6% in 2016 to 2.4% by March 2025
Economy
Apple expects $900 million hit from tariff war
Apple on Thursday reported first-quarter profit above expectations but warned that US tariffs could cost the company and were disrupting...
- Cook said he expected "a majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin."
- Tit-for-tat exchanges have seen hefty US levies imposed on China, with Beijing setting retaliatory barriers on US imports
Economy
Slower growth expected in MENA region in 2025: IMF
"Growth is still projected to increase in 2025 and 2026, but at a considerably slower pace than anticipated last October,"...
- The lender lowered growth projections from 4 percent to 2.6 percent for 2025, and from 4.2 percent to 3.4 percent for 2026.
- In 2024, average growth in the region slowed to 1.8 percent -- from 2.1 percent the year before -- due to "ongoing conflicts and extended voluntary oil production cuts".