MENA faces shortfall of 111,737 construction Project Managers by 2035: PMI
The PMI report finds that MENA will require up to 330,794 construction project management professionals by 2035 under a high-growth...
Economy
G7 ministers consider oil reserves as markets face volatility
In a statement following a virtual meeting with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol, the ministers said they...
Geostrategy
Interview
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
- Snap expects future growth in MENA and APAC to come from deeper community engagement and rising advertiser demand.
- Startups in the GCC use Snapchat to reach local audiences quickly through mobile-first storytelling and creator partnerships.
Economy
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
- The GCC is capital-rich, yet late-stage venture funding remains structurally limited
- Early-stage activity is strong, but a clear Series A–C financing gap persists
Interview
We are witnessing the rise of a maturing Web3 world: Nicole Valentine
The world has known the Middle East for its oil. But a new fuel is taking the main stage: knowledge,...
- The key to alignment always starts with the numbers. Data has the power to tell a story that resonates with policy, business, and tech.
- Today’s entrepreneur has a blockchain superhighway, they can access round the clock to conduct, transact, and build their businesses.
Business
Six Middle East cafés feature in the world’s 100 best coffee shops 2026 list
Six coffee shops from the Middle East have secured places in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 list, highlighting...
- The United Arab Emirates led the region with two cafés making the Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-expanding specialty coffee hub
- Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, while Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list
Why the GCC should stop trying to build Silicon Valley and focus on owning it
Fahad AlSharekh says the GCC’s edge isn’t startup mimicry but global investment power — backing AI, infrastructure and category leaders...
- The GCC’s strength is global investment power, not startup mimicry, Fahad AlSharekh tells TRENDS
- Without exits and deep tech talent, chasing local VC hype is a mirage, he adds
Business
UAE launches first 7-year Islamic Treasury Sukuk worth $150 million
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Ministry of Finance said on Sunday it had launched its first-ever seven-year tranche of...
- The new tranche attracted strong demand amounting to approximately 3.1 billion dirhams, nearly six times the issuance size.
- Total bids reached 5.88 billion dirhams, representing an oversubscription ratio of 5.3 times.
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
- The industry is effectively “two industries” — a fast-growing digital sector and a declining traditional media business — Martin Sorrell told TRENDS
- CMOs should stop experimenting with AI and move to full-scale implementation, radically reorganising workflows and cutting creative costs, he adds
Interview
Startups need more than funding: they need an ecosystem
Drew Propson, Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at the World Economic Forum, explains how sustainable growth, AI...
- The UAE’s Vision 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030 are clear calls to action that outline not just ambition, but execution.
- The third quarter 2025 marked the fourth consecutive quarter with over $90 billion in funding, something not seen since early 2022.
Interview
UAE is shifting from attracting talent to unleashing it: Sheraa vice-chairperson
With national campaigns such as The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World setting targets of training 10,000 Emiratis and...
- The most significant opportunity lies in closing the conversion gap: the space between generating knowledge and turning it into scalable enterprises.
- More than 18,000 young people have been upskilled through Sheraa, giving them the confidence and competence to navigate a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Economy
Sovereign tech: Building a regional stack, not rival silos
As Gulf states race to build sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure, the real opportunity lies in pooling capital, standards and...
- Technical and compliance challenges are pushing GCC countries toward common governance constructs and vendor frameworks
- To boost talent mobility, GCC SWFs can underwrite regional AI academies, and visa standardization for tech talent
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
MENA faces shortfall of 111,737 construction Project Managers by 2035: PMI
The PMI report finds that MENA will require up to 330,794 construction project management professionals by 2035 under a high-growth...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Geostrategy
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Opening statements in the first trial began in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Instagram parent company Meta and Google’s...
Geostrategy
Iran escalation sharpens oil, inflation concerns
Lale Akoner, Global Market Analyst, says while the escalation has introduced new risks, the broader investment case for equities in...
Geostrategy
Gulf sovereign wealth funds face a strategic test amid escalating conflict
The escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is emerging as a major test for the Gulf’s sovereign...
Economy
Most Read
MENA’s next tech breakthrough depends on infrastructure, not hype
Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-founder of AHOY and co-founder of Actual VC, speaks to TRENDS about risk, capital efficiency, and...
- In MENA, scalable startups must prioritise execution, defensibility and real traction over hype, Jamil Shinawi told TRENDS
- The real opportunity lies in AI-driven systems that turn data into instant, cross-sector impact, he adds
Interview
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
- Snap expects future growth in MENA and APAC to come from deeper community engagement and rising advertiser demand.
- Startups in the GCC use Snapchat to reach local audiences quickly through mobile-first storytelling and creator partnerships.
Economy
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
- The GCC is capital-rich, yet late-stage venture funding remains structurally limited
- Early-stage activity is strong, but a clear Series A–C financing gap persists