UAE non-oil trade reaches record $527 billion in H1, says Al Zeyoudi
The milestone reflected the success of the UAE's strategy to build a diversified, competitive and open economy while strengthening its...
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rises to 1.8 percent in May on higher rents
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate rose to 1.8% in May 2026, up from April, as higher housing,...
Economy
Economy
US Fed chair signals no rush for rate cuts despite Trump pressure
The Fed has a duty to prevent a one-time spike in prices from becoming an "ongoing inflation problem," said Federal...
- The Fed has held the benchmark lending rate steady since its last reduction in December, bringing the level to a range between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent.
- Last week, Powell told reporters that it would make smarter decisions if it waited to understand how Trump's tariffs impact the economy.
Geostrategy
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...
- Prices were also brought down by Trump saying that China could continue to buy oil from Iran, in what appeared to be relief from sanctions Washington had previously imposed.
- There was also relief that Iran has refrained from closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Geostrategy
Oil prices seesaw as investors await Iran response to US strikes
US stocks edged higher while European markets retreated and Asian equities were mixed, with markets keeping a close eye on...
- They later dipped briefly into the red and then wobbled, standing down around one percent as European markets closed.
- Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, exporting just under half of the 3.3 million barrels it produces per day.
Economy
Oil prices spike after US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
Economists at MUFG warned of "high uncertainty of the outcomes and duration of this war", giving a "scenario analysis" of...
- Asian stocks were lower as traders digested the weekend's events, with Iran threatening US bases in the Mideast
- Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, with output of about 3.3 million barrels per day
Economy
Tesla to build first grid-scale power plant in China
New York, United States - Tesla announced Friday that it signed an agreement to build its first grid-scale energy storage...
- The project will help with the flexible adjustment of grid resources, and "effectively solve pressures relating to urban power supply," Tesla said
- Chinese media outlet Yicai reported that Tesla Shanghai, Shanghai authorities and China Kangfu International Leasing Co. held a signing ceremony Friday for the project
Economy
Trade war worsens foreign investment outlook: UNCTAD World Investment Report
Presenting the annual report at a press conference, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan said it contained a "clear and urgent" message...
- After two consecutive years of decline, the FDI outlook for 2025 remains negative due to uncertainties triggered by the tariff war waged by Trump, the UNCTAD said.
- UNCTAD said that when adjusted to strip out volatile financial flows through several European economies, FDI fell by 11% last year to $1.5 trillion.
Economy
US Fed keeps interest rates unchanged in face of Trump criticism
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters the central bank would make better decisions if it waited a few months to...
- For now, he expects to learn more "over the summer," while officials appear increasingly divided on whether they can cut interest rates at all in 2025.
- The Fed kept the benchmark lending rate between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent at the end of its two-day meeting, with officials penciling in two rate reductions this year.
Geostrategy
MENA Brief | June 19: GCC central banks hold interest rates steady, Diriyah House launched in London
As most currencies in the region are pegged to the US dollar, monetary policy follows the decisions taken in Washington,...
- Saudi-based Cluster2 Airports Company signed a strategic MoU with Airbus. The agreement will see the deployment of the Agnet Turnaround platform across Cluster2’s 22 airports.
- Saudi National Bank (SNB) has issued $1.25 billion in Tier 2 bonds at a 6% profit rate under its $10 billion Euro Medium Term Note program.
Economy
Asian stocks drop after Fed warning, oil dips with Mideast in focus
Hong Kong, China - Asian stocks fell Thursday after the Federal Reserve warned Donald Trump's trade war would likely reignite...
- With Trump increasingly calling for the bank to slash rates, Powell said: "We'll make smarter and better decisions if we just wait a couple of months."
- Hong Kong led losses, falling more than one percent, while Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Wellington, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also in the red
Economy
US Fed set to hold rates steady as it guards against inflation
Washington, United States - The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday after its key policy...
- The Federal Reserve has kept the benchmark lending rate unchanged this year at a range between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent
- Beyond inflation data, policymakers are also trying to keep expectations "anchored," a state in which consumers expect price increases to remain low and steady
UAE non-oil trade reaches record $527 billion in H1, says Al Zeyoudi
The milestone reflected the success of the UAE's strategy to build a diversified, competitive and open economy while strengthening its...
Economy
Company News
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How Doha is Building a Knowledge Economy
By pairing sovereign capital with frictionless regulation, Doha reversed the startup playbook, attracting investors and founders first, then letting an...
Qatar announces $430 mn in support for Lebanon
A visiting Qatari official on Monday announced a multi-million dollar aid package for Lebanon, primarily to support the country's crumbling...
Economy
WEF26: Saudi Arabia positions itself as ‘connector economy’ amid shifting global trade
Saudi Arabia is seeking to leverage changes in global trade and supply chains to position itself as a “connector economy,”...
Economy
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Economy
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s...
- AI is expanding creative and data-driven marketing capabilities at unprecedented scale, Mark Penn told TRENDS
- The GCC must now focus on building sustainable, talent-led innovation ecosystems beyond experimentation, he adds
Economy
The Gulf’s next currency isn’t petroleum. It’s know-how
The post-oil Gulf has the chance to redefine authenticity itself—as a deliberately trained, global hospitality culture built by people, not...
- The Gulf’s true wealth is shifting from oil reserves to human capability—what can be called the rise of “brain gold.”
- Tourism is quietly becoming the region’s most powerful engine for building future-ready skills that AI cannot replicate
Economy
How the Middle East is positioning itself at the crossroads of a changing world
AI, geopolitics, climate, and demographics are reshaping the Middle East’s growth model beyond oil.
- Geopolitical fragmentation has strengthened the Middle East’s role as an East–West connector
- A young population and impact-driven innovation are powering the shift to a knowledge economy