Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Opening statements in the first trial began in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Instagram parent company Meta and Google’s...
Geostrategy
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...
Interview
Economy
MENA region is leading the on-demand talent revolution: report
Agile work models and diverse skill demands propel MENA's freelance economy, empowering businesses to thrive amid modernization and digital transformation.
- MENA companies, particularly those in the IT, banking, finance, real estate, construction, energy, and hospitality sectors, actively embrace agile workforce models
- Emerging trends like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, data analytics, and procurement are expected to fuel the demand for local and international talent
Business
Innovation, flexibility fuel GCC remote work growth
The UAE especially has become a regional hub for remote work, attracting digital nomads and businesses with its visa programs.
- Oman and Kuwait are more cautious due to infrastructure limitations and traditional work cultures.
- Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying economy, emphasizes remote work for economic development.
Business
MENA startup investment surges in March 2023
Saudi startups were the biggest beneficiaries of LEAP24 tech conference, securing the lion's share of the total investment of S254...
- The gender gap in the MENA startup ecosystem remains a pressing issue. Male-founded startups secured nearly 90 percent of the deals.
- March 2024 wasn't just about investments. The month witnessed several noteworthy mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals.
Economy
Iraqi Prime Minister unveils action plan to revitalize local banking sector
The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign...
- The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign institutions and banks
- Consideration will be given to the credit rating of each bank in this process
Economy
Saudi’s Modon attracts $3.8bn industrial investments in 2023
Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) has announced significant progress in attracting industrial and logistical investments for...
- New investments surged by 63 percent, with 891 local and foreign investments secured.
- The number of factories rose to 6,443, alongside 7,946 industrial, logistical, and investment facilities
Economy
Ramadan drives MENA online shopping boom, UAE takes the lead
As Eid Al-Fitr approaches, online shopping is expected to reach new heights, with anticipated growth in categories like flowers, cakes,...
- Flowwow has observed a 65% rise in online purchases from local UAE brands in March 2024 compared to last year
- The preference extends to cosmetics and fragrances, with a notable rise in demand for handmade varieties
Economy
UAE cements position as a top global investment hub in 2024
UAE ascends to 8th on Kearney's 2024 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, affirming its appeal as a prime investment haven,...
- The Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index,, now in its 26th iteration, continues to be an authoritative forecast of global FDI trends
- The UAE economy has witnessed extraordinary growth across key sectors that have thrived as a direct result of the nation’s diversification policies
Economy
‘Saudi Arabia leads its regional peers in construction growth’
The burgeoning construction sector in Saudi Arabia is fostering the expansion of its talent pool and consolidating its regional leadership,...
- The Red Sea Project, Diriyah Gate, Qiddiya Entertainment City, and NEOM have thrust the kingdom into the global limelight
- NEOM has made waves for its revolutionary take on connectivity infrastructure, innovative city features, and sustainability
Business
DWTC welcomes 2.47m visitors in 2023, says EVP
DUBAI, UAE – Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) Mahir Julfar said that the DWTC's performance in 2023...
- Over 722,000 were international visitors to various events, showcasing an unparalleled 60 percent growth rate year-on-year.
- Flagship events such as GITEX Global and Gulfood maintained their leadership positions in their respective sectors.
Business
Jordanian industrialists call for export diversification
AMMAN, JORDAN – Jordanian industrialists have emphasized the imperative of strategic planning to bolster export diversification, underlining key measures such...
- They called for expanding outreach to foreign markets, fostering collaboration between the government and the industrial sector.
- Jordan has taken several measures to stimulate domestic exports, improve market access and maximize the benefits of existing free trade agreements.
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Opening statements in the first trial began in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Instagram parent company Meta and Google’s...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Global bond selloff spreads to Japan, gold hits record high
Wall Street stocks opened mostly higher, with shares in Google parent-company Alphabet shooting up nearly seven percent after winning a...
Business
Gold glitters to new high as Asia stocks mixed
Gold climbed to a new record Tuesday as investors sought out safe havens, while Japan's Nikkei and the Hang Seng...
Economy
Apple to lower iPhone 12 radio power across EU
Paris, France - Apple will update software on iPhone 12 handsets across the EU to lower the power of their...
Science
Most Read
Economy
From entertainment to economics: GCC govts make room for creators in their national vision plans
In Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, digital content creation is a key pillar of economic transformation, and Qatar National Vision 2030...
- The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have seen a big boom in the emergence of bloggers, influencers, and content creators who are gaining a substantial following
- The Gulf region - home to a predominantly young population, with over 50% being under the age of 25 in 2021 - has 90% smartphone penetration
Economy
China manufacturing shrinks in August despite new US trade truce
Beijing, China -- China's factory output ticked up in August but still recorded a fifth straight month of contraction, official...
- The Purchasing Managers' Index -- a key measure of industrial output -- was 49.4, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, up slightly from 49.3 in July.
- The last time China recorded a figure above 50 -- indicating growth -- was in March.
Business
UAE continues to attract major global companies for new headquarters
Dubai, UAE -- The United Arab Emirates has continued to attract global companies looking to establish regional or global headquarters....
- This trend is supported by the country's legislative and digital infrastructure, as well as its strategic location.
- A report from the Kearney Foundation ranked the UAE second among emerging markets in its "FDI Confidence Index 2025."