Chief Economists warn global growth under strain from trade policy shocks and AI disruption
The global economic outlook has worsened since the start of the year, as rising economic nationalism and tariff volatility fuel...
Economy
Trump threatens Apple with a 25% tariff if iPhones aren’t made in US
Washington, United States -- US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Apple with a 25 percent tariff if the iPhones...
Business
Economy
‘Global Collaboration Village aims to digitize and democratize WEF dialogues’
DAVOS: The future of global collaborations is being shaped by innovation and the ubiquitous embrace of immersive technologies, which continue...
- GCV expands WEF’s mission by bringing diverse global perspectives into Davos through digital platforms, Huang, GCV president tells TRENDS
- GCV’s digital extension, in partnership with Accenture and Microsoft, fosters year-round collaboration, he adds
World Economic Forum
Readying for jobs of tomorrow: WEF’s Till Leopold stresses upskilling
Davos, Switzerland -- In the next five years, millions of jobs will be created. Governments, employers, and education institutions, therefore,...
- The key report findings highlighted that there will be 78 million new job opportunities by 2030 but urgent upskilling is needed to prepare workforces.
- The fastest-growing skills by 2030 will include technological skills alongside human skills, such as cognitive skills and collaboration.
FED keeps interest rates unchanged
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates at the current target range of 4.25 percent to 4.50 percent after its January meeting, according...
- Inflation is still deemed ‘somewhat elevated’
- The euro fell to 1.04 against the US dollar following announcement
World Economic Forum
Lithium-sulfur batteries will transform energy storage, says Lyten’s Horvath
Lyten, a Silicon Valley-based company, is revolutionizing the energy storage market with its groundbreaking lithium-sulfur battery technology. These batteries offer...
- Lithium-sulfur batteries are about half the weight of a lithium-ion batteries, but they have twice the energy density.
- These batteries work better in heat and, therefore, will be better suited to tropical countries that are expected to grow at a much faster pace.
Economy
‘Middle East is a promising area with a lot of initiatives going on in the UAE, Saudi Arabia’
Beyond AI, new technologies will leverage artificial intelligence to drive the next phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Alphaeus Hanson,...
- The Middle East is emerging as a key investment hub, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar leading ambitious initiatives, Hanson tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview
- Beyond AI, new technologies will leverage artificial intelligence to drive the next phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he adds
Economy
NHC signs strategic deals worth $8 billion at the opening of Real Estate Future Forum 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The National Housing Company (NHC) has signed a series of agreements, deals, and memoranda of understanding...
- The agreements included a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to enhance collaboration in supply chains
- In another key agreement, a memorandum of understanding was signed with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
Economy
Davos2025: 33 industrial clusters from 16 countries commit to economic growth, jobs creation and emissions cuts
The Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative aims to improve collaboration and develop a shared vision among co-located companies and public institutions,...
- The initiative’s 33 members from 16 countries represent combined potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions comparable to the annual emissions of Saudi Arabia
- A new report highlights the critical role that industrial clusters play in accelerating the deployment of clean-energy infrastructure at scale worldwide
Economy
Exclusive: ADP’s Nela Richardson on how AI is reshaping the global workforce
Davos Switzerland - The rapid adoption of AI and automation is redefining labor markets, reshaping industries, and transforming skills globally,...
- Drawing from insights in the Future of Jobs Report 2025, Dr. Richardson emphasized the dual forces of opportunity and risk that AI introduces to labor markets
- Reflecting on the findings of the report, Dr. Richardson highlighted the critical gaps that need to be addressed, including the skills gap and the employers-employee disconnect
World Economic Forum
Fourth Industrial Revolution centers announced for Riyadh, Muscat, Pretoria
Davos, Switzerland -- The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced signing agreements for three new Centers for the Fourth Industrial...
- The upcoming centers in Muscat, Pretoria, and Riyadh will tackle critical global challenges with innovative solutions tailored to national and regional needs.
- Additionally, the WEF announced that the C4IR United Arab Emirates has been renewed.
Economy
WEF25: Saudi delegation calls for nations to put “greater good” first
The international community must prioritize cooperation and dialogue to overcome the challenges of a fragmented world, the Saudi delegation to...
- Saudi Arabia urges global cooperation and prioritizes private sector-led economic diversification
- Key initiatives focus on AI, sustainability, and transforming industries for future growth
Chief Economists warn global growth under strain from trade policy shocks and AI disruption
The global economic outlook has worsened since the start of the year, as rising economic nationalism and tariff volatility fuel...
Economy
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IMF, World Bank welcome efforts for Syria to reintegrate globally
Washington, United States - The International Monetary Fund and World Bank's leaders said in a joint statement Thursday that they...
Economy
Lebanon parliament approves changes to banking secrecy law
Beirut, Lebanon -- Lebanon's parliament on Thursday approved amendments to banking secrecy legislation, a key reform demanded by the International...
Geostrategy
The game of ‘chicken’ being played with the world economy can be brought to a cooperative end
A meaningful “G3” accord between the US, Europe, and China must include coordinated fiscal, monetary, development, and trade policies. From...
Economy
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Economy
IMF cuts global growth outlook on impact of Trump tariffs
Washington, United States -- The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its forecast for global growth this year, citing the...
- The IMF projections see the global economy growing by 2.8 percent this year, 0.5 percentage points lower than the previous World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast in January.
- The IMF expects China, the world's second-largest economy, to see growth slump to 4.0 percent this year, down from 5.0 percent in 2024.
Business
Gold hits record, dollar drops as tariff fears dampen sentiment
With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the...
- The precious metal was also helped by a weaker dollar, which has also been hit by worries about Trump's standoff with Fed boss Jerome Powell.
- Stocks had a mixed start to the week, with Tokyo weighed by the stronger yen while Taipei, Jakarta and Bangkok were also in negative territory.
Economy
Beijing slams ‘appeasement’ of US in trade deals that hurt China
China on Monday hit out at other countries making trade deals with the United States at Beijing's expense, promising countermeasures...
- While the rest of the world has been slapped with a blanket 10 percent tariff, China faces levies of up to 145 percent on many products
- China has vowed to fight a trade war "to the end" and has not confirmed that it is in talks with Washington, though it has called for dialogue