First week of Ramadan sees Saudis spend $3.12 billion
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian consumers spent a total of SR11.68 billion ($3.12 billion) through point-of-sale transactions during the...
Economy
Saudi Industrial Production Index climbs up in January 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Saudi Industrial Production Index (IPI) recorded 103.3 points in January 2024, compared to 103 points in December...
Economy
Geostrategy
Russia attack on Ukraine turns Europe eyes to Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Qatar and Saudi Arabia host American troops, but their economic and political relations with Russia have grown over the years.
- Russian gas accounts for about 40 percent of the European market, leaving it highly exposed to supply disruptions due to the conflict
- A similar logic applies to the 2.3 million barrels of Russian crude that heads west each day through a network of pipelines
Economy
IMF official urges ‘deep reforms’ to Tunisian economy
Tunisia's debts have soared to nearly 100 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
- Tunisia's debts have soared to nearly 100 percent of Gross Domestic Product
- Its GDP plunged by almost nine percent in 2020, the worst rate in North Africa
Arts & Culture
Lebanon turns to public libraries for entertainment as crisis drains joy
Weekly storytelling events are one of the last affordable pleasures in Lebanon, where a crashing local currency has rendered books...
- The cost of printing and buying books has soared in Lebanon, while the monthly minimum wage is currently valued at $32
- All new books were priced in dollars, and therefore hit by the fluctuating exchange rate of the Lebanese pound
Geostrategy
Oil price break $100 on Russian ‘military operation’ in Ukraine
According to the UN, a full-scale Russian invasion on Ukraine would have a devastating global impact that would likely spark...
- The crisis comes as governments struggle to contain runaway inflation fueled by demand as life returns after recent Covid-19 lockdowns,
- World Markets have been hammered since a week as the Kremlin recognized Ukraine's rebellion and said it would provide "peacekeepers" to the regions
Economy
Workers go on strike in Turkey as inflation sinks lira deeper
Soaring inflation in Turkey has propelled a wave of strikes unlike any the country has seen since the 1970s, as...
- Supermarket warehouse worker Bekir Gok was sacked this month -- alongside 256 of his colleagues -- for demanding an extra four Turkish liras (30 US cents) per hour
- Turkey's annual inflation rate officially reached 48.7 percent in January, and workers have struggled to keep up with the sky-rocketing cost of living
Economy
Palestine exports rose 23% y-o-y in December
The rise in exports was 7 percent when compared to November of the same year.
- Exports to Israel increased in December by 12 percent compared to November
- Exports to other countries decreased by 19 percent during the same period
Economy
QAIA saw passenger traffic grow 161% in January
Passenger and aircraft movement and air cargo traffic at QAIA remained far lower than pre-pandemic levels.
- Aircraft movements grew to 4,630 in January, 127.2 percent up from the same period last year
- Air freight traffic also reached 4,048 tons in January, 13.6 percent up from the same period in 2021
Business
Aramco is targeting investment in China : CEO Amin Nasser
Saudi Aramco is interested in investing in China, its President and CEO Amin H Nasser, said. He asserted that Aramco...
- Aramco is holding initial talks with partners, including the state-owned defense contractor Norinco.
- The talks were reportedly about the development of a $10 billion refining and petrochemicals complex in China.Â
Business
UAE trades $22.8 bn worth of rough diamonds in 2021, hits top spot globally
UAE reached the top spot globally as a rough diamond hub, trading over $22.8 billion worth of rough diamonds in...
- Dubai boasts direct flights to other diamond hubs across the world, including mining countries in Africa and manufacturing centers in India.
- Since 2015, the UAE has increased its rough diamonds trade by 76 percent, overtaking Belgium as the world’s leading rough trade hub
Geostrategy
Gas prices ‘in God’s hands’, producers warn as Ukraine crisis sparks surge
Major gas exporting nations said Tuesday they could not guarantee prices or supplies at a summit overshadowed by the worsening...
- Emir of #Qatar', which hosted a summit, said #gas producers were working to ensure "credible and reliable" supplies.
- The United States has asked Qatar to help Europe if supplies are cut, but its Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said that his country could not rescue Europe alone.
First week of Ramadan sees Saudis spend $3.12 billion
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian consumers spent a total of SR11.68 billion ($3.12 billion) through point-of-sale transactions during the...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
UAE president and Jordan’s king renew resolve to boost ties
The talks between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and King Abdullah focused on ways to ramp up cooperation across key strategic...
Economy
Global outstanding sukuk cross $800bn for first time: Fitch Ratings
Sovereigns were the key issuers. Fitch said the pricing of most sukuk and comparable bonds continued to be similar and...
Business
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Economy
Jordan and Cyprus to deepen energy, trade, tourism ties
Amman, Jordan-- Jordan and Cyprus are looking to boost cooperation in energy, trade, industry and tourism sectors in order to...
- Jordan's king and Cyprus president met at Al Husseiniya Palace, and discussed enhancing cooperation in various fields
- The king underscored the need to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in energy, trade, industry, tourism
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia funds construction of library in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Board of Directors Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb, laid the foundation stone...
- The funding for construction and equipping of the library has been through a US$22 million grant provided by the Saudi Fund for Development.
- The new library will act as a central hub to connect the university’s 28 sub-libraries and will contribute towards enhancing its educational capabilities.
Business
Ooredoo Algeria gets new CEO
Roni Tohme, the Acting CEO, has been confirmed as the CEO.
- Tohme brings over 21 years of experience in telecoms and finance to his new role, having previously served as Ooredoo Algeria’s Chief Financial Officer.
- During his tenure as CFO, he played a vital role in shaping an agile and lean finance department, contributing to the company’s business transformation.

