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...
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...
Economy
Business
Latifa bint Mohammed awards UK’s Simon Squibb with ‘One Billion Award’ at 1 Billion Followers Summit
Dubai, UAE - Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, presented the...
- The award ceremony was held during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to the content creator economy
- Valued at US$1 million, the award stands as the world’s largest and most significant recognition for impactful content creators
Economy
Fossil fuel demand is high in Central Eastern Europe. Here’s how it can make the energy transition
This “responsible transition” is not only defined by the development principles, but primarily by a selective investment approach in our...
- A responsible strategy for energy transition in Central Eastern Europe must also take into account energy security
- The low-carbon push can also be complemented by conventional energy investments where justified
Business
Content creation key to awareness, culture, human development: Dubai ruler
Dubai, UAE -- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, attended part of...
- The three day 1 Billion Followers Summit is being held in the UAE at Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future in Dubai,
- For the first time globally, leading platforms including Snapchat, X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) have come together in one place
Economy
UAE’s tech industry set to achieve record growth in 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE’s technology industry is set to achieve record growth in 2025, driven by significant expansion...
- The UAE has strengthened its position on the global map as an innovation-driven destination for the expansion of both global and emerging tech companies
- International reports predict that the tech sector will continue to grow in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and emerging technologies like blockchain
Business
Dubai vs Doha: The Battle for Creator Economy Supremacy and Innovation in the Middle East
Dubai’s aggressive initiatives like the 1 Billion Followers Summit and specialized creator visas put it ahead in attracting global talent,...
- Dubai is aggressively positioning itself as a global hub for the creator economy, leveraging infrastructure, regulations, and location
- Doha’s Qatar Media City aims to attract media and digital companies, establishing the city as a regional innovation hub
Economy
Global workforce transformation by 2030: WEF predicts 78 million new jobs amid disruptive changes
The widening skills gap challenges employers, with over 59% of the workforce needing reskilling while millions risk redundancy due to...
- One of the most pressing challenges identified by the report is the widening skills gap, with 63% of employers citing it as a significant barrier to transformation
- Upskilling remains the preferred strategy for workforce adaptation, with 77% of employers planning initiatives to enhance their employees' skills
Economy
Qatar’s non-energy private sector shows strong growth in 2024
Doha, Qatar – Qatar’s non-energy private sector recorded robust growth in the final months of 2024, according to the latest...
- The labour market was a key driver of this growth, with employment and wages increasing at record levels
- Employment saw substantial growth as companies sought to raise output, enhance services, and manage workloads
Economy
Saudi Arabia plans to sustain borrowing spree to fund major projects beyond oil: report
Saudi Arabia secured a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Credit Agricole SA, and Dubai Islamic...
- The National Debt Management Center (NDMC) has estimated Saudi Arabia’s funding needs for 2025 at 139 billion riyals ($37 billion)
- Saudi Arabia was one of the largest bond issuers among emerging markets in 2024, issuing $17 billion in international bonds
Economy
Dubai ranks among world’s top 10 cities in Global Power City Index for second consecutive year
Dubai, UAE - Dubai has been ranked eighth worldwide and first in the Middle East in the Global Power City...
- In an annual study released by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation, the index highlights Dubai’s role as a leader in innovation, economic dynamism, and global connectivity
- This achievement makes Dubai the only city in the Middle East to feature in the top 10, reaffirming its position as a major global hub for business, talent, and investment
Democratization of investments: Digital platforms open private equity to individual investors
The shift towards greater accessibility – which has accelerated particularly within the last five years – has opened up new...
- Digital platforms are enabling individual investors to access sophisticated tools and strategies
- Investors have improved access to strategies which have the potential to elevate returns
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
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...
Company News
Latest News
Vietnam defies US tariffs with 8.2% growth in third quarter
Hanoi, Vietnam -- Vietnam recorded economic growth of 8.2 percent in the third quarter, among the highest increases in more...
Economy
AI in an ‘industrial bubble’ but will benefit society: Bezos
Turin, Italy - Artificial intelligence technology is in an "industrial bubble," Amazon founder Jeff Bezos told a tech conference in...
Economy
Abu Dhabi GDP grows 3.8% to $83.40bn in Q2 as non-oil sectors hit record
The non-oil economy expanded 6.6 percent year-on-year to AED174.1 billion — the highest quarterly value on record — and accounted...
Economy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Microsoft trims service to Israel over Gaza surveillance
San Francisco, United States - Microsoft on Thursday said it cut an Israeli defense unit's access to some cloud services...
- Microsoft reviewed the decision with the Israel Ministry of Defense along with steps the tech firm is taking to ensure compliance
- The move followed a two-month Microsoft probe into a Guardian report that the Israeli Defense Force used Azure to store phone call data from surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank
Economy
Trump announces steep new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, big-rig trucks, furniture, reviving trade war
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday punishing tariffs on pharmaceuticals, big-rig trucks, home renovation fixtures and furniture, reviving his global...
- The announcement is the harshest trade policy by the president since last April's shock unveiling of reciprocal tariffs on virtually every US trading partner across the globe
- Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched a so-called Section 232 probe into imports of trucks to "determine the effects of national security."
Business
WhatsApp, Twitch among sites that could face Australia under-16s social media ban
Tech companies including WhatsApp and Reddit as well as streaming giant Twitch and gaming firm Roblox could be among more...
- The head of Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has written to 16 more companies to "self-assess" whether they fall under the ban's remit
- Companies will need to make a case if they believe their platform should be exempt from the ban, the national broadcaster ABC said