Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick
Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...
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...
Economy
Business
Abu Dhabi targets 39.3 million visitors by 2030
Emirate's new tourism strategy aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP from $13.34 billion in 2023 to $24 billion...
- The Strategy will generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand
- It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to approximately 7.2 million in 2030
Business
Russia becomes world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer, says PM
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country became the world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer last year. The Russian...
- Mikhail Mishustin said that the volume of LNG exports rose almost three-fold in six years.
- In January - February 2024, natural gas production in Russia increased by 11.3 percent year-on-year.
Economy
World Bank estimates damage to Gaza infrastructure at $18.5bn
The World Bank said in its interim damage assessment, this is equivalent to 97 percent of the combined economic output...
- The bank said the rate of damage appears to be leveling off as few assets remain intact
- The report also found that more than half of Gaza's population were on the brink of famine
Economy
GCC tourism growth skyrockets as diversification drive gains momentum post-Covid
GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable...
- Four years on, the GCC has not just recovered faster than was expected, but it has also led the global tourism recovery with a 122% surge in arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019
- The region has assiduously worked for it with its two major economies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, embarking on economic diversification with tourism one of the thrust areas
Economy
SAMA: E-payments share reached 70% of total payments in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced on Monday that the share of retail consumer electronic payments...
- The achievement is attributed to the significant growth of payments processed through national payment systems in 2023
- The evolving cost-effective and reliable e-payment system helps enhance transaction efficiency, and support financial stability
Economy
Middle East economy firm despite challenges
Non-oil growth to stay robust, bolstered by a strong non-oil GDP growth in the region's two biggest economies, UAE and...
- The disruption to Red Sea trade has revived discussions around the need for alternative trade corridors
- There is a growing momentum around green financing following the success of COP28 and the introduction of green finance frameworks
Economy
Gross written premium rises by 12.7% in Q4 2023 to US$14bn, says CBUAE
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE insurance sector continued to grow in Q4 2023, as reflected by the increase in...
- The number of licenced insurance companies in the UAE remained at 60, the CBUAE announced in its quarterly economic report.
- The insurance of persons and fund accumulation premiums decreased by 12.4 percent YoY.
Economy
Debt, trade barriers drag Asian economies in 2024, says World Bank report
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast...
- Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast to slow to 4.5 percent this year from 5.1 percent in 2023.
- A key risk is that the US Federal Reserve and other major central banks might keep interest rates higher than before the pandemic.
Economy
Economic growth in Asia forecast to slow to 4.5 percent, says World Bank
Bangkok, Thailand--Asian economies are not doing as well as they could and growth in the region is forecast to slow...
- A World Bank report said that policy uncertainties, trade barriers are impeding the region's economies
- The report added that Asia’s economies are growing more slowly than before the Covid pandemic
Opinion
Digital innovation fuels surge in Iraq’s banking sector
"These banks excel not only in financial performance but also in adapting and innovating. Through partnerships with global entities like...
- At the forefront of this remarkable journey are banks like the National Bank of Iraq and the Bank of Baghdad (BBOB), which have exhibited exceptional growth and profitabitability
- The establishment of the "National Company for Electronic Payment Systems in Iraq" underlines the sector's proactive approach towards embracing cutting-edge technology
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
Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick
Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Oil prices rise ahead of US-Russia summit as stocks digest inflation data
New York, United States - Wall Street stocks finished little changed Thursday as markets absorbed a disappointing inflation report, while...
Economy
Stocks diverge as bitcoin hits record high
Bitcoin hit a new peak at $124,514.59 in Asian trading, before cooling to around $121,500. The world's biggest cryptocurrency is...
Business
Dubai GDP grows by 4 percent to reach $32.58 billion in first quarter of 2025
Human Health and Social Work activities registered the highest growth rate, rising 26 percent compared to the same period last...
Economy
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Economy
Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray as dozens of countries reject draft text
Geneva, Switzerland - Attempts to finalise a landmark treaty combating plastic pollution descended into disarray on the penultimate day on...
- With some 30 hours left to seal a deal among the 184 countries gathered at the United Nations in Geneva, states lined up to slam the text proposed by Luis Vayas Valdivieso
- Five previous rounds over the past two and a half years failed to seal an agreement, including a supposedly final round in South Korea late last year
Economy
Most markets rise as China-US tariff truce extended, US inflation data in focus
In an executive order, the White House reiterated its position that there are "large and persistent annual US goods trade...
- Donald Trump's widely expected trade announcement avoids the reimposition of sky-high levies and allows officials from Washington and Beijing to continue talking into November
- the White House reiterated its position that there are "large and persistent annual US goods trade deficits" and they "constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat."
Economy
Trump says to move homeless people ‘far’ from Washington
President Donald Trump said Sunday that homeless people must be moved "far" from Washington, after days of musing about taking...
- The Republican billionaire has announced a press conference for Monday in which he is expected to reveal his plans for Washington
- "I'm going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before," the president posted on his Truth Social platform Sunday