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...
Economy
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,...
Interview
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   Â
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
Economy
Saudi women’s unemployment drops to 13.7% by 4Q 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The unemployment rate among Saudi women witnessed a historic decline, plummeting to 13.7 percent in the...
- The unemployment rate among Saudi men remained steady at 4.6 percent during the same period
- The overall unemployment rate, encompassing Saudis and non-Saudis, saw a noteworthy decrease to 4.4% in the 4th quarter
Economy
Saudi tourism hits record $36 billion inbound spending in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's tourism sector contributed to a record-breaking $36 (SR135 billion) in spending by international visitors....
- The Kingdom's remarkable performance in tourism was further highlighted by its leading position in the United Nations Tourism rankings for growth in international tourist arrivals
- The UN's tourism report also noted a substantial rise in both inbound and domestic tourism within the Kingdom, reinforcing its reputation as a premier global tourism destination
Business
Jordan exports pharmaceutical products worth US$874m in 2023
AMMAN, JORDAN – Products of the Kingdom’s pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies sector moved over the past quarter century to...
- Jordan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector has succeeded in transforming into a global industry.
- The pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector employ approximately 10,000 workers.
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...
Economy
Company News
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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....
Business
How Viet Nam’s informal waste workers are leading the plastic pollution fight
Behind nearly 90% of all plastic recycled in Viet Nam is someone like Ms Nguyen Thi Kenh or Ms Nguyen...
Economy
Fed governor calls for rate cut at September policy meeting
A governor of the US Federal Reserve, Christopher Waller, said Thursday that the central bank should lower its key interest...
Economy
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Economy
25 countries suspend postal services to United States over tariffs: UN
The Trump administration said late last month that it will abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United...
- The move has sparked a flurry of announcements from postal services, including in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Japan.
- The United Nations' Universal Postal Union said he suspensions will remain in place until there is more clarity on how US authorities plan to implement the announced measures.
Economy
Saudi non-oil exports increase by 17.8 percent in second quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose by 17.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025, according to...
- The increase included a 46.2 percent rise in re-exports, while national non-oil exports excluding re-exports grew by 5.6 percent.
- In Q2 2025, a 15.8 percent decline in oil exports dragged total merchandise exports down by 7.3 percent year-on-year.
Economy
Egyptian farmers behind world’s perfumes face climate fight alone, yield drops by half
For years, Egyptian jasmine picker Wael al-Sayed has collected blossoms by night in the Nile Delta, supplying top global perfume...
- As temperatures rise the flowers bloom less and daily harvest has dropped from six kilograms to just two or three in the past two years
- With the Nile Delta also vulnerable to the rising Mediterranean water levels, which affect soil salinity, jasmine farmers are on the front line of a heating planet