Steady and sensible, Oman builds its future brick by brick amid the Gulf’s glittering rush
With volatile geopolitics and the resulting uncertainty, the year 2025 has been challenging for most of the countries across the...
Economy
Anthropic announces massive AI chip deal with Google
San Francisco, United States - Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic said Thursday it was expanding its use of Google cloud computing...
Science
Economy
Gaza conflict casts shadow on Israel’s gas industry
War with Palestinians disrupts Israel's gas exports, causing economic losses and altering energy strategies.
- The accounting and consulting firm BDO Israel estimated the economic losses of the closure of the Tamar field at about US$ 201 million a month
- The gas field supplied 8.7 billion cubic meters of gas to the Israeli market in 2022 while exporting another 1.57 billion cubic meters to Egypt and Jordan
Business
UAE holds 19% of global sustainable bonds, says Fitch Ratings
DUBAI, UAE - Fitch Ratings has affirmed the critical role that COP28 will play in raising awareness of sustainability issues...
- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the critical role that COP28 will play in raising awareness of sustainability issues in the region.
- Environmental, social and governance bonds in UAE constitute over 19 percent of the global ESG bond market.
Economy
Dubai Customs logs 13% growth in transactions in first nine months of 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Customs has experienced a robust 13 percent increase with 21.6 million transactions during the first nine...
- The upswing aligns with the targets of Dubai’s economic agenda D33, which seeks to double foreign trade.
- By the end of the third quarter of 2023, Dubai Customs had processed approximately 18.8 million customs declarations.
Business
Adoption of electric vehicles in US face infrastructure hurdles
NEW YORK, US - The US transition to electric cars has hit a speed bump, with concerns about vehicle range and...
- Automakers in recent weeks have pushed back EV sales targets and delayed capital projects as they seek to reduce inventories of unsold EVs at dealerships.
- The network of EV charging stations in the US remains dodgy, with many areas either lacking infrastructure or equipped with unreliable machines
Economy
EDB pledges to expand UAE’s renewables market through easy financing
Dubai, UAE-- With its financing packages for the renewables sector to support the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources,...
- EDB CEO Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi said the bank through its financing can help businesses switch to solar-power to reduce emissions
- The bank can offer up to 100% financing with a maximum tenure of 15 years and a two-year grace period for investments in renewable energy
Geostrategy
Bahrain and Thailand seek to boost economic cooperation
Manama, Bahrain-- Bahrain and Thailand have held discussions to enhance economic cooperation in a meeting between top officials of the...
- The two officials took a review of the progress made in the political and economic cooperation between the two kingdoms
- They underscored the resolve of the two countries to consolidate security and peace, and also support sustainable development goals
Economy
GCC sovereigns eye fiscal rejuvenation
A report by S&P Global Ratings forecasts improved fiscal positions due to higher oil prices, fiscal consolidation and a robust...
- The report projects a nearly $11 billion deficit on average over 2023-2026 which is 0.5 percent of average GCC GDP over this period
- Prudent fiscal policy and the relatively higher oil price environment have resulted in some governments repaying part of their debt stock
Geostrategy
Gaza faces shortage of flour due to Israel-Hamas war
KHAN YUNIS, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - One of the last grain warehouses in the Gaza Strip has been damaged by Israeli strikes...
- Of the five flour mills in the densely populated Palestinian territory, at least two have been hit since the war began on October 7.
- Humanitarian aid arriving via Egypt has done little to remedy the shortages, made worse by power cuts and a lack of fuel for generators.
Economy
GCC maintains stable inflation rates despite crises
Pausing of rate hikes by global central banks amid fluctuating inflation rates influences global markets, with specific impacts in the...
- Pausing of rate hikes by global central banks amid fluctuating inflation rates influences global markets, with specific impacts in the MENA region, says a new report.
- The latest Kamco report offers an insightful analysis of economic trends in key Gulf countries, shedding light on their unique inflationary challenges and strategies.
Economy
Fitch maintains ‘A+’ rating of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, outlook stable
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Global credit agency Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund's (PIF) long-term foreign- and...
- The agency highlighted the PIF’s robust financial autonomy and its critical role in bolstering Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross domestic product
- Fitch notably expressed the far-reaching consequences of a potential PIF default, foreseeing adverse effects on Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals
Steady and sensible, Oman builds its future brick by brick amid the Gulf’s glittering rush
With volatile geopolitics and the resulting uncertainty, the year 2025 has been challenging for most of the countries across the...
Economy
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Electric, hybrid and aerial to entirely transform city life: IIT Madras expert
Easier commutes with faster, quieter, and eco-friendly vehicles would reduce travel times significantly and reduce stress for urban residents, says...
Interview
A new era of economic growth and productivity with AI
The technology will likely automate millions of jobs, Mark J. Penn, a US businessman, political strategist, and author tells TRENDS...
Economy
From healthcare to finance: How AI is reshaping global industries and GCC economies
A study by the World Economic Forum reveals that AI could replace around 85 million jobs by 2025
Science
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Economy
IMF approves additional $1.3 billion aid program for Egypt
Washington, United States - The International Monetary Fund has approved an additional $1.3 billion assistance program for Egypt under its...
- The Fund's Executive Board also completed the fourth review of an ongoing aid program, allowing for the immediate disbursement of $1.2 billion to Cairo
- Under the RSF, the IMF provides long-term loans to finance projects aimed at preparing countries for the effects of global warming and helping them with energy transition
Economy
Smart cities lead GCC’s IoT boom: NEOM and Smart Dubai in focus
IoT applications are transforming critical sectors such as transportation, where connected vehicles improve traffic management, utilities where smart grids enhance...
- For instance, to manage the flow of massive stadium crowds during the FIFA World Cup, Qatar leveraged “digital twins,” aggregating data from 40,000 IoT devices.
- In a similar vein, Dubai’s Enterprise Command and Control Center uses a combination of AI, digital camera, and thermal imaging technologies to oversee 11,000 surveillance cameras.
Economy
Building an anticipatory governance strategy for an increasingly risky world
Anticipatory governance is crucial in navigating today’s risks. While AI tools enhance forecasting, early warning does not always lead to...
- Global geopolitical shifts are reshaping alliances, creating an unstable multipolar order
- Climate change, AI, and conflicts are accelerating faster than expected, disrupting globalization