IMF forecasts Middle East and Central Asia contraction as war disrupts growth
The forecast of 0.3% contraction marks a steep reversal from the IMF’s projection of 1.9% growth made six months earlier...
Economy
MENA sovereign investors reach $6.1 trillion in assets
Mubadala led regional sovereign investors with $26.2 billion in investments, followed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Abu Dhabi Investment...
Business
Geostrategy
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...
- The case may influence thousands of lawsuits alleging social media features harmed young users’ mental health and wellbeing.
- Meta and YouTube have denied the allegations, saying they have implemented tools and policies aimed at improving safety for younger users.
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
IMF forecasts Middle East and Central Asia contraction as war disrupts growth
The forecast of 0.3% contraction marks a steep reversal from the IMF’s projection of 1.9% growth made six months earlier...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
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
UAE non-oil trade reaches record $527 billion in H1, says Al Zeyoudi
The milestone reflected the success of the UAE's strategy to build a diversified, competitive and open economy while strengthening its...
Economy
OpenAI limits release of new model after US government request
Dubai, UAE --Â ChatGPT developer OpenAI is restricting access to its latest artificial intelligence (AI) model at the request of...
Business
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Economy
Bain identifies four priorities for sovereign wealth funds as assets approach $30 trillion
State-backed investors are expanding beyond traditional investment models, increasing exposure to alternatives, AI and direct deals while balancing returns with...
- Top 10 sovereign wealth funds hold more than 75% of global assets.
- Sovereign wealth funds reached about $15 trillion in assets under management in 2025.
Economy
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...
- The report attributed the improvement to stronger performance across all four of its pillars: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
- Overall, Saudi Arabia ranked among the global top 10 in 74 of the report's 262 indicators.
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rises to 1.8 percent in May on higher rents
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate rose to 1.8% in May 2026, up from April, as higher housing,...
- The cost-of-living index increased to 105.3 points in May from 103.5 points a year earlier.
- GASTAT said the rise was driven primarily by a 3.7% year-on-year increase in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, reflecting a 4.7% rise in rents.