Kuwait’s annual inflation rises 2.19 percent in June
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased by 2.19% year-on-year at the end...
Business
Saudi Arabia rises to 13th in global competitiveness rankings
The Kingdom ranked 13th out of 70 economies assessed in the annual report, improving from 17th place a year earlier...
Economy
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...
- Iran escalation heightens sensitivity to oil, inflation and interest rates, shaping equity valuations and expectations for monetary policy.
- US markets show resilience as investors favor liquidity and Treasuries, supporting the dollar during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
Economy
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...
- The United Arab Emirates is expected to maintain a fiscal surplus over the next two years
- Saudi Arabia has already been running significant deficits tied to its economic transformation agenda
Economy
GCC agriculture sectors post strong performance
Muscat, Oman -- Gulf Cooperation Council countries recorded strong performance in agriculture, livestock and fisheries during 2024, reflecting the growing...
- Agricultural and fisheries exports rose to $7.8 billion, up 7.5 percent, while imports reached $38.7 billion, an increase of 10.1 percent.
- Vegetables accounted for 45.8 percent of total crop production, the largest share among plant products.
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
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.
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
Kuwait’s annual inflation rises 2.19 percent in June
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased by 2.19% year-on-year at the end...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Energy costs push OECD inflation to highest level this year
Dubai, UAE -- Annual inflation across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) accelerated to 4.4% in April from...
Economy
Fragmenting world economy raises costs beyond geopolitical rivals
A report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and consulting firm Oliver Wyman found that fragmentation accelerated through 2025...
Economy
ChatGPT surpasses 1 billion monthly active users in May
Dubai, UAE -- OpenAI's ChatGPT surpassed 1 billion monthly active users in May, becoming the fastest application to reach the...
Business
Most Read
Economy
Closure of Strait of Hormuz may trigger lasting shift in Gulf trade corridors: report
About $650 billion in trade flows are affected, with global maritime routes facing growing disruption and uncertainty risks.
- GCC countries are redirecting cargo flows through alternative gateways, increasing transit costs and causing longer delivery times
- Saudi Arabia could leverage Red Sea access and East African investments to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime choke points
The generational digital divide is fading among UAE investors, eToro finds
76% of younger investors and 75% of older investors have acted on a recommendation by an AI engine
- Younger investors favour future-facing sectors and mature investors are more likely to support industries that are well established in the UAE
- Both groups share the same top three investing goals: to achieve financial independence, to supplement income, and to provide long-term security
Geostrategy
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.
- The United States alone could face a shortfall of between 10,100 and 19,900 surgeons by 2036.
- Organizations are urged to assess where bottlenecks sit in their value chains, determine which technology combinations could shift those constraints.