Qatar banking on AI with nearly $2.5 bn in investments
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani delivered on...
Economy
Saudi Arabia invests billions in biotech sector: report
The kingdom accelerates its biotech and genomics sector with substantial investments, in line with Vision 2030's push for economic diversification...
Economy
Economy
Global food prices fall to lowest level in two years in June
Dubai, UAE -- The World Price Index of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) fell last...
- The World Price Index drop was driven by the lower cost of sugar, vegetable oils, cereals and dairy products.
- The FAO Cereal Price Index fell 2.1 percent in June compared to the previous month, with prices of corn, barley, sorghum, wheat and rice declining.
Business
Iraq, GECF discuss role of oil, gas in country’s development
BAGHDAD, IRAQ -Â Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Mohammed Hamel on Friday stressed the importance of...
- The two discussed the oil and gas sector and stressed on the importance of supporting gas and renewable energy investment projects.
- The two leaders discussed on the development of the oil and gas sector in Iraq and its role in the country's economy.
Market Report
Asian markets decline as US data spark interest rate fears
Asian stocks tumbled again after another round of strong US data reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will resume its interest...
- Minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting showed officials plan to ramp up borrowing costs again this month.
- Equity-buying sentiment was hammered again by news that US private firms created twice as many jobs as expected in June.
Geostrategy
Kuwait has third largest millionaire population in world
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait ranked third and Qatar 22nd on the list -- prepared by the World of Statistics --...
- About 15 percent of Kuwaitis were millionaires, after Hong Kong's 15.3 percent and Switzerland, which had the highest number of millionaires (15.5 percent) in the world.
- According to the World Wealth Report 2022, the average net worth of a millionaire in Kuwait is $2.9 million.
Economy
Oil and gas firms must invest more in clean energy
“The phase down of fossil fuels is in-evitable. It is in fact essential. But it cannot be irresponsible. We must...
- Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the COP28 President-Designate, highlights the need for comprehensive decarbonization and an urgent shift towards a new clean energy system
- The COP28 President-Designate also insists on responsible management of the fossil fuel phase-down, emphasizing energy security, accessibility, and affordability
Iran summons UK envoy to protest new sanctions: state media
The new British sanctions regime will expand existing penalties imposed by creating new criteria under which individuals and entities can...
- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said sanctions against Iran over alleged human rights violations and hostile actions against its opponents on UK soil will expand
- Iran's foreign ministry considered the statements and positions of the British authorities as well as the recent sanctions... as an illegal and interventionist action
Economy
UAE commits $15m to rebuild Palestinian city of Jenin after Israeli attack
Dubai, UAE - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) pledged on Thursday $15 million to support the rebuilding efforts in the...
- The funds will be channeled through the UNRWA to aid the organization's operations and extend assistance to affected Palestinian families
- The UAE's decision to provide aid to Jenin could be seen as an effort to strengthen its relations with the Palestinian Authority
Economy
Rise in unemployment affects Saudi women the most
The Kingdom's unemployment rose to 8.5% in the first quarter of 2023, up from 8% in Q4 2022, driven by...
- The Kingdom's unemployment rose to 8.5% in the first quarter of 2023, up from 8% in Q4 2022, driven by a notable increase among women to 15.7%, according to an official report
- In Q1, Saudi Arabia witnessed a 0.5% drop in youth unemployment, while joblessness among those aged 25-54 rose to 7.8%, adds the report of Saudi General Authority for Statistics
Economy
Lebanon central bank officials to quit if no governor nominated
BEIRUT, LEBANON - The vice-governors of Lebanon's central bank plan to resign unless politicians swiftly name an incoming governor, two senior...
- The term of embattled three-decade chief Riad Salameh ends this month with no successor in sight, setting the stage for a leadership crisis.
- "Unless the political class names a successor, the vice-governors will resign before (Salameh's) mandate ends" on July 31, an official said.
Business
Energy prices may jump if output slashed, warns Shell CEO
LONDON, UK - Shell's chief executive told the BBC on Thursday that cutting gas and oil output would be "irresponsible" because...
- The official warned that strengthening demand from China and cold winter weather in Europe could send energy prices and bills surging.
- Domestic electricity and gas bills sky-rocketed after key energy producer Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine early last year.
Qatar banking on AI with nearly $2.5 bn in investments
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani delivered on...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Apple loosens grip on iPhone apps
Apple will permit developers to include buttons or links in apps.
Business
WTO head ‘less optimistic’ for world trade due to Red Sea strikes
The head of the international trade body said weaker global economic growth, "worsening geopolitical tensions, the new disruptions we see...
World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum foresees ‘significant economic slowdown’
Davos, Switzerland--A new World Economic Forum report titled the Future of Growth Report 2024 foresees a significant economic slowdown, estimated...
World Economic Forum
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Business
Mawani reports rise in container handling
The growth aligns with the aims of national logistics strategy.
- Saudi Arabia's overall ports recorded a 9.01% increase in annual container handling for 2023, reaching 11,380,302 TEU compared to 10,439,620 TEU in 2022
- Transshipment containers also experienced an 8.96% increase in volume, with 3,237,490 TEU transshipped in 2023 compared to 2,971,233 TEU in 2022
Economy
CBUAE balance sheet touches US$182 billion in November 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) saw its balance sheet soar to $182.43 billion at...
- The UAE central bank's balance sheet maintained a steady 21.2% growth rate throughout the first eleven months of 2023
- According to the CBUAE, investments and deposits also played a huge role, totaling $56.63 billion and $26.53 billion respectively
Business
China’s economic recovery stalls as growth flags
The country's national bureau of statistics said that GDP grew 5.2 percent to hit 126 trillion yuan ($17.6 trillion) as...
- But Wednesday's reading is an improvement on the three percent growth recorded in 2022
- China's exports -- historically a key growth lever -- dropped last year for the first time since 2016