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
Economy
Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria takes #2 spot in global crypto adoption
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the global cryptocurrency economy’s smallest share, representing 2.7% of transaction volume worldwide between July 2023 and...
- Between July 2023 and June 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa received around US$125 billion in on-chain value
- About 70% of African countries face an FX shortage, and businesses struggle to get access to the dollar
Economy
Asia-Pacific markets mixed after Powell signals smaller rate cuts
Asia-Pacific markets are mixed on Tuesday, after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated the recent outsized cuts enacted by the...
- The current federal funds rate stands at 4.75%-5%
- Sentiment among large non-manufacturers in Japan improved, inching up to +34 from +33 in Q2
Economy
Riyadh leads Saudi Arabia’s date production with record sales
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Riyadh is currently hosting the third Seasonal Dates Exhibition, a major economic, social, and tourist event....
- Recent stats confirm Riyadh's leading role in date production, boosting Saudi Arabia's self-sufficiency rate to 124%
- The Riyadh region alone accounts for 436,000 tons of the Kingdom's total annual production of over 1.6 million tons
Business
Qatar Airways seeking 25% stake in Virgin Australia
Qatar Airways unveiled a bid to take a 25 percent stake in troubled airline Virgin Australia on Tuesday, a deal...
- The deal could significantly shake up Australia's air travel market which is currently dominated by Qantas
- In 2023, Australia's center-left government rejected Qatar's bid to put on 21 extra international flights to and from Australia
Saudi economy to register losses until 2027, says finance ministry
Saudi Arabia anticipates a budget deficit of 2.3 percent of GDP in 2025. Estimates put total government revenues for 2025...
- Saudi Arabia anticipates a budget deficit of 2.3 percent of GDP in 2025
- Estimates put total government revenues for 2025 at approximately US$320 billion, which would create a deficit of US$27bn
Economy
China launches late stimulus push to meet 2024 growth target
China's central bank on Friday lowered interest rates and injected liquidity into the banking system as Beijing assembled a last-ditch...
- hina plans to issue special sovereign bonds worth about $284.43 billion this year
- A wide range of economic data in recent months has missed forecasts
Economy
UAE airports see 14.2% passenger traffic surge in H1
Abu Dhabi, UAE -UAE's airports experienced a 14.2 percent increase in passenger traffic, in the first half of 2024, handling...
- A CBUAE report showed the increase in passenger traffic not only reinforces the UAE's status as a global aviation hub but also contributes to the national economy
- The report added that this growth in the aviation sector boosts tourism, trade and employment, further diversifying the UAE's economy
Putin expects Türkiye’s Erdogan to attend BRICS summit in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he expected his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend a BRICS summit in...
- Putin says he was due to meet Erdogan on October 23 - a day after the start of the BRICS summit in Russia's Kazan
- "Our president has many times stated that we want to become a BRICS member," says Turkish main political party
Economy
Middle East & North Africa: Regulatory momentum and DeFi fuel crypto adoption
The Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region ranks as the seventh-largest crypto market globally in 2024, with an estimated...
- Centralized exchanges (CEXs) remain the primary source of crypto inflows across MENA
- Across MENA, stablecoins and altcoins are gaining market share over traditionally preferred assets like bitcoin and ether
Lebanon flights suspended as Hezbollah-Israel tensions continue to spiral out of control
Major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air France have suspended growing numbers of flights to Lebanon as tensions...
- United Arab Emirates-based Emirates announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Beirut
- Air France on Tuesday extended the suspension of its Beirut flights until October 1
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
US Fed set for first rate cut of 2025 as Trump pressure looms
The US Federal Reserve is poised to make its first interest rate cut of 2025 on Wednesday, but it battles...
Economy
Asian markets rise as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Asian stocks rose again Tuesday to extend another record day on Wall Street as traders locked in bets on a...
Economy
US Fed poised for first rate cut of 2025 as political tension mounts
The Fed's likely move would follow a monthslong push from President Donald Trump to slash rates, and comes amid growing...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
Global oil supply hit record high in August: IEA
Paris, France -- Global oil supply hit a record high in August as OPEC+ and other countries ramped up production,...
- Eight key members of OPEC+ group, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have been gradually increasing production since April after restricting output in recent years.
- Non-OPEC+ nations have also been raising their output, with the IEA saying production from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Guyana and Argentina was "at or near all-time highs".
Business
Stock markets strike records despite geopolitical unrest
Gains for oil prices were relatively modest, while gas futures were unmoved after Israel's strikes Tuesday against Hamas in gas-rich...
- Wall Street had notched fresh highs Tuesday as markets digested weak US jobs data that added to expectations that the Fed will lower US interest rates at their next meeting.
- Tokyo's stock market ended at an all-time high, as did Seoul where traders were hopeful the government will not implement plans to lower the capital gains tax threshold for stocks.
Geostrategy
Europe hyperloop test hits new speed record in Dutch trial
The Hague, Netherlands -- A Dutch tech startup said Wednesday it had set a European speed record for its futuristic...
- Hardt Hyperloop said its vehicle had reached 85 kph at the 420 meter European Hyperloop Center test track in the Netherlands and had carried out a complex lane switching test.
- It said the lane switching maneuver -- essential for networked routes -- showed there were no technical barriers to operating at aircraft-like speeds.