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
Saudi Arabia’s economy expands as oil and non-oil sectors grow
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), all major economic sectors recorded positive annual growth during the quarter, reflecting...
Economy
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
Interview
Gulf startup hubs: Converging strategies, diverging ambitions
Despite fierce branding as rivals, Gulf startup hubs share capital, policy, and talent structures that are quietly shaping distinct, globally...
- Shared infrastructure, capital flows, and policy choices bind these ecosystems together more than they divide them.
- The critical question for Gulf ecosystems is not whether they have capital or talent, but whether both are organized toward genuinely global ambition.
Weaker dollar creates window for international property buyers in Dubai
Dubai faces substantial supply headwinds that may absorb currency-driven demand without triggering significant price gains. Approximately 45,000-50,000 new residential units...
- A 9.88% slide in the US dollar has boosted foreign buying power in Dubai, cutting the sterling cost of a AED 5 million home by nearly £105,000 in a year
- UAE’s 1 USD–3.6725 AED currency peg means the dirham weakens with the dollar, making Dubai property cheaper for overseas investors while staying stable for locals
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
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
Company News
Latest News
Next wave of global competitive advantage lies in tech combinations: WEF
Eight technology domains, including AI, robotics, engineering biology and advanced materials are no longer advancing in isolation.
Geostrategy
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
Firms lag as AI-driven fraud surges: Study
The report, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and analytics firm SAS, highlights widening gaps between rapidly evolving...
Business
Most Read
Economy
UAE Central Bank to hold rate after Fed pause amid regional tensions
Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled a cautious approach, noting that elevated energy prices and geopolitical tensions could complicate the inflation...
- The CBUAE said it would also maintain the rate applicable to short-term borrowing at 50 basis points above the Base Rate for all standing credit facilities.
- Central Banks of GCC countries --Kuwait remains a partial exception-- typically adjust their policy rates in lockstep with the Fed, as their currencies being pegged to the dollar.
Geostrategy
Financial frauds cost global economy over $442bn in 2025: INTERPOL
AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. “Agentic AI” systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud...
- However, the report also found that law enforcement authorities are collaborating more effectively.
- Since 2024, the number of fraud-related Notices and Diffusions has increased by 54 percent.
Geostrategy
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...
- They added that proactive measures—including the possible use of strategic oil reserves—remain under consideration as part of efforts to stabilize global energy markets.
- The ministers said coordination is ongoing among G7 members as well as with IEA member states and other partners.