Standard & Poor’s affirms Saudi Arabia’s ‘A/A-1’ credit rating
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Standard & Poor's (S&P) affirmed the Kingdom's credit rating in local and foreign currency at "A/A-1"...
Economy
Domestic worker visa applications in UAE up 66% in June 2024, says a report
The UAE, relying on domestic workers (5% of the population), invests $3 billion annually, highlighting the rising demand for domestic...
Economy
Business
Saudi-China Entrepreneurs Association and HKTDC sign MoU
Hong Kong - The Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong...
- The MoU between SCEA and HKTDC aims to fortify commercial ties, particularly aiding startups and service providers eyeing global expansion.
- The agreement was signed during the eighth Belt and Road Summit, a two-day event themed "Ten Years of Cooperation for Mutual Benefit".
Economy
IMF to exhort China to shift growth model toward consumption
Washington, US--The International Monetary Fund plans to tell China to boost weak domestic consumption, address its troubled real estate sector,...
- The IMF intends to exhort Beijing to shift its growth model away from debt-fueled infrastructure investment and real estate
- In July the IMF forecast China's 2023 growth rate to hover at 5.2% and 4.5% in 2024 but warned it could be lower
Economy
Aid groups warn of outbreak of disease in Libya after floods
Several aid organizations have warned of the outbreak of disease in the port city of Derna, after Sunday's flood submerged...
- Islamic Relief has warned of a second humanitarian crisis from water-borne diseases and shortages of food
- The UN has made an appeal for more than $71 million to assist hundreds of thousands in need
Geostrategy
Libya flood toll is partly due to years of division, say analysts
TRIPOLI, LIBYA - Over a decade of bloody power battles in Libya have resulted in vital infrastructure falling into disrepair, culminating...
- Libya has been wracked by conflict and division ever since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
- Tripoli-based prime minister blamed the tragedy on the absence of adequate development plans and the "effect of the years" on the dams.
Economy
IMF criticizes Lebanon for failure to adopt reforms
The International Monetary Fund renewed its criticism of Lebanon for failing to enact reforms demanded by creditors in return for...
- In April 2022, Lebanon and the IMF reached conditional agreement on a $3-billion-dollar loan package to bail out the economy.
- But politicians have yet to enact the painful reforms demanded to begin the 46-month financing program.
Business
Dubai real estate transactions worth over $3.4bn in week ending September 15
DUBAI, UAE - A total of 2,329 real estate transactions worth over US$3.4 billion (AED 12.7 billion) were conducted during...
- A total of 549 plots were sold for US$1.1 billion, while 1,780 apartments and villas were purchased for $1.07 billion.
- A plot in Marsa Dubai sold for US$169 million while a plot sold for US$49 million in Business Bay.
Business
Saudi business delegation visits ZSBVC steel factory in Vietnam
HANOI, VIETNAM - A delegation of 80 Saudi businessmen, representing over 50 companies, and representatives from national specialized bodies and...
- The visit aims to explore investment opportunities, enhance trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
- The visiting delegation was briefed on the production lines at Zamil Steel Building Vietnam Co and witnessed the skill of the workers.
Geostrategy
Transfer of Iran’s unfrozen foreign assets to Qatari banks soon
TEHRAN, IRAN – The foreign minister of Qatar said the procedures for the transfer of Iran’s unfrozen foreign assets to...
- Qatar has been a mediator in talks that led to a prisoner exchange deal between Iran and the United States.
- The deal involves the release of five prisoners from each side and the unfreezing of some US$6 billion worth of Iranian funds.
Economy
Nearly two-thirds of Saudi Arabian employees lack enhanced digital skills
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - A substantial 62% of employees in Saudi Arabia are eager to acquire improved digital skills in...
- The findings also exposed a troubling trend, with 45% of respondents expressing concerns about job security due to their perceived lack of IT competencies
- The survey also highlighted a specific group within the workforce most apprehensive about job security – department heads and top managers
US approves most Egypt aid despite rights alarm
Egypt is one of the largest recipients of US military aid, dating to its historic normalization of relations with Israel...
- The $1.215 billion package marks the third straight year that US government has waived some restrictions imposed by Congress on aid to Egypt
- "This decision reflects that Egypt is making a specific and ongoing contribution to US national security priorities," a State Department official said
Standard & Poor’s affirms Saudi Arabia’s ‘A/A-1’ credit rating
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Standard & Poor's (S&P) affirmed the Kingdom's credit rating in local and foreign currency at "A/A-1"...
Economy
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Diversification helps GCC surge in global markets
Gulf economies are witnessing transformative growth and resilience with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar leading the way in global...
Economy
UAE-based banks aggregate capital, reserves reach US$131bn by end of November 2023
ABU DHABI, UAE- The aggregate capital and reserves of banks operating in the UAE increased 13.3 percent, reaching US$131 billion...
Business
Price of natural gas in Europe falls to a 3-year low
LONDON, UK – The price of natural gas in Europe fell again on Friday, taking it to its lowest in almost...
Business
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Economy
Saudi Arabia pursues AI hub future: PIF Governor
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Governor of Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan on Thursday positioned Saudi Arabia as...
- Yasir Al-Rumayyan, speaking at the FII PRIORITY summit in Miami, highlighted the fund's focus on sectors like education, healthcare, artificial intelligence
- By investing in technological advancements, the PIF aims to propel the Kingdom towards a more diversified and resilient future
Economy
China home prices edge down in January, data shows
Beijing, China--Major Chinese cities reported falling home prices in January with narrowing declines, official data showed on Friday.The National Bureau...
- According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 56 of 70 large and medium-sized cities saw month-on-month drops in new home prices
- In Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, prices of new homes fell 0.3% in January with the decline narrowing by 0.1 percentage points
Economy
Dubai economy would grow 5 percent this year: Al Ghurair
Dubai, UAE-- The economy of Dubai would grow around five percent this year, according to Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair,...
- Al Ghurair said that the recent increase in interest rates would be reversed soon, leading to a decline in lending rates
- He said high interest rates, reaching up to 5 or 6 percent, are still lower than in many countries, supporting businesses