Saudi Arabia surpasses homeownership goals, sets sights on 70% by 2030
The kingdom's housing program achieves remarkable success, surpassing targets and reducing waiting times from 15 years to immediate entitlement, revolutionizing...
Economy
Iraqi Prime Minister unveils action plan to revitalize local banking sector
The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign...
Economy
Economy
Phase out fossil fuels to avoid climate catastrophe
Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible but will require a 45 per cent reduction in...
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres urges a 45% cut in carbon emissions by 2030 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C
- Current policies could lead to a 2.8°C temperature rise by the end of the century, posing a catastrophic threat, adds Guterres
Pause, hike, cut: Central banks diverge over regional challenges
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has gone against the grain set by the Fed and ECB, announcing on Friday that...
- On Wednesday, the Fed paused interest rate hikes after 10 straight increases, bringing its benchmark lending rate from close to zero to a range between 5.0 and 5.25 percent
- On Thursday, the People's Bank of China cut a key lending facility by 10 basis points to 2.65 percent, and extended 237 billion yuan ($33 billion) of fresh funding to lender
Business
Siemens to expand business
BERLIN, GERMANY - German industrial giant Siemens said on Thursday it would build a new high-tech factory in Singapore and expand...
- Details on further investments in Europe and the United States across the globe are expected to follow, said Siemens.
- The group's announcement came after the German government published its first National Security Strategy that took aim at China for acting against Berlin's interests.
Economy
Sri Lankan economy contracts 11.5 percent in Q1 2023
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - Crisis-hit Sri Lanka's economy shrank by 11.5 percent in the first quarter just before an IMF bailout...
- The contraction in the first three months compared with shrinkage of 0.5 percent in the corresponding period of 2022.
- A currency crisis from late 2021 led to severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and triggered months of protests.
Business
Audi Middle East achieves 33% sales growth in first 5 months of 2023
DUBAI, UAE : Â Â In the first five months of 2023, Audi Middle East achieved a 33 percent growth compared to...
- This success is bolstered by Audi's strategic partnerships and investments in electric vehicle infrastructure across the Middle East.
- Audi's EV portfolio now features an extensive range of models, spanning sports cars, sedans, hatchbacks, and the SUVs.
Business
Tawuniya Q1 2023 net profit $20m
Insurance services results in Q1 improved by US$55 million.
- The growth in revenues were offset by an increase in claims incurred and attributable expenses by US$172 million.
- Tawuniya booked additional risk adjustments of US$10 million in Q1 2023 and additional acquisition costs of US$18 million.
Economy
European Central Bank raises rates for eighth consecutive time
The hike was the highest since 2001, despite a darkening economic outlook. The ECB increased rates by another 25 basis...
- Like all central banks, the ECB has to walk a fine line in raising interest rates sufficiently to dampen demand and contain inflation, without provoking a sharp economic slowdown.
- The ECB also slightly raised its inflation outlook, predicting it will reach 5.4 percent in 2023, 3.0 percent in 2024 and 2.2 percent in 2025.
Economy
Saudi inflation in May rises slightly to 2.8% on higher rents
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia’s inflation increased by 2.8%, compared to May 2022, slightly higher than April 2023 (2.7 percent),...
- The main driver of CPI inflation in May was the higher prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 8.4 percent, and food and beverages by 0.9 percent.
- The cost-of-living index for May rose to 109.37 points, according to the base year 2018, from 106.42 points in the same month a year earlier.
Business
ESG, Q Holding form joint venture
JV to develop accommodation project in Abu Dhabi island.
- This project aims to address the diverse housing needs of employees in sectors such as healthcare, transportation.
- Upon completion, the project will cater to approximately 5,000 staff, offering a convenient environment.
Business
UAE Ministry of Energy joins National ICV Program
DUBAI, UAE - The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has joined UAE's National In-Country Value (ICV) program following a...
- The MoU supports national strategic objectives to boost the growth of the industrial and advanced technology sectors.
- It aligns with the National ICV program's aims to enhance economic growth by redirecting government expenditure into the national economy.
Saudi Arabia surpasses homeownership goals, sets sights on 70% by 2030
The kingdom's housing program achieves remarkable success, surpassing targets and reducing waiting times from 15 years to immediate entitlement, revolutionizing...
Economy
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Water stress levels vary in Arab countries
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Qatar rises as a premier sports tourism destination
“In addition to hosting a variety of sports events, especially the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar has shown the...
Economy
Qatar National Bank forecasts world economic growth to be 2.9% in 2024
Doha, Qatar--Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects the global economic growth to be around 2.9 percent in 2024, roughly the same...
Economy
Global maritime trade sails into geopolitical storm
Most large international shipping companies have decided to reroute trading to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal through which...
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Economy
UAE market cap soars as top 16 companies hit $734bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The aggregate market capitalization of the top 16 national companies listed on local exchanges stood at...
- The 16 listed companies accounted for about 74% of the total market capitalization of the local stock markets, which was around $998 billion at the close of trading
- The IHC held the top position with a market capitalization of more than $244 billion, approximately 24.5% of the local markets' capitalization
Economy
2024 set to see new era of digital transformation
The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable...
- The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable technology, UAE-based tech expert Dua Al Toobi tells TRENDS.
- Innovations are set to reshape the Gulf's economic and social landscape in 2024, marking a pivotal shift towards a knowledge-based economy, adds Al Toobi.
Economy
Eurozone inflation rises to 2.9% in Dec mainly due to energy costs
The data supports comments by European Central Bank (ECB) chief Christine Lagarde, who has warned that Europe should remain on...
- Energy prices in the eurozone fell in December, by 6.7 percent on an annual measure, but that was less than the 11.5 percent drop in November
- Among the 20 countries that use the euro, Belgium and Italy had the lowest inflation rate, reaching 0.5 percent in December