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...
Economy
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
Economy
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...
- Expenditures were diverse, with a substantial portion allocated to food and beverages, amounting to $603.97 million across 45.8 million transactions
- Among various cities, Riyadh led in point-of-sale operations, totaling $1.04 billion followed by Jeddah with transactions valued at $438.61 million
Economy
Eurozone business activity stabilizes in March
Brussels, Belgium - Business activity in the eurozone stabilized in March thanks largely to a "modest recovery" in the service sector,...
- "Business activity in the euro area came close to stabilizing in March" with "only a marginal decline in output of goods and services", the survey said.
- The ECB has kept its interest rates steady since October, following an unprecedented series of increases to tame what was red-hot inflation.
Economy
IMF chief urges countries to strengthen independence of central banks
"Financial stability benefits the whole economy and reduces the risk that the central bank becomes reluctant to raise interest rates...
- "Central bank independence matters for price stability -- and price stability matters for consistent long-term growth," IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva wrote.
- She added that better control of inflation is possible when both central banks and governments play their roles
Science
COP hosts UAE, Azerbaijan, Brazil pledge stronger climate action
Paris, France--Past and future hosts of the UN climate negotiations the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Brazil announced Wednesday they would...
- Countries across the world have been under pressure to keep this warming limit alive by pledging to accelerate their efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions
- The United Nations climate chief last week stressed that the new round of commitments were essential to keep the world from blowing past 1.5 Celsius
Economy
NEOM announces Treyam, its premier lagoon destination
Neom, Saudi Arabia - NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega city will now have a premier resort where the spectacular desert...
- Boasting an audacious design with minimal land intervention, Treyam offers guests an elevated haven to unwind, re-energize, and enjoy majestic natural surroundings
- Strategically located across the opening of one of the most beautiful azure lagoons at the southern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, the resort stands as a luxury gateway
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...
- As per reports, the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity, which accounts for 61.4% of the index weight, grew by 0.1% to reach 98.2 points in January 2024
- The report added that the sub-index for manufacturing activity, which accounts for 35% of the index weight, grew by 1.1% to reach 113.8 points in January 2024
Economy
GCC central banks hold rates steady, following US Fed
The Central Bank of the UAE kept the Base Rate for the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) steady at 5.40%, aligning...
- Both central banks' decisions come after Fed's vote to maintain interest rates at a 23-year high
- The decision is a careful balancing act by the UAE and Qatar aimed at fostering stability and growth
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to donate US$40m for UN agency in Gaza
The funds, according to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), would support UNRWA's "humanitarian relief efforts in...
- Israel accused some of UNRWA's employees of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack
- The UN has said that Israel has not provided it with any evidence for the allegations
Economy
Gulf nations transition from oil to solar powerhouses
The Gulf region is embracing the future of energy by investing in polysilicon production, crucial for solar panel manufacturing, with...
- The Gulf region is embracing the future of energy by investing in polysilicon production, crucial for solar panel manufacturing.
- With Qatar leading by example and Saudi Arabia set to follow, these moves signify a key shift towards renewable energy sources.
Economy
Cash-strapped Pakistan gets draft approval for $1.1 bn IMF payout
Islamabad, Pakistan - Pakistan reached a tentative deal to unlock a $1.1 billion tranche of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout...
- Last summer, cash-strapped Pakistan sketched a $3 billion deal with the IMF as it battled a balance-of-payments crisis which brought it to the brink of default.
- After six days of talks in Islamabad, concluding Tuesday, the IMF said officials had reached a "staff-level agreement" to pay out the latest portion of the deal.
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...
Economy
Company News
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AI helps UK woman rediscover lost voice after 25 years
London, United Kingdom -- A British woman suffering from motor neuron disease who lost her ability to speak is once...
Science
Less tax, more luxury: millionaires flock to Dubai for its zero income tax policy
Rich people are flocking to Dubai in record numbers, drawn to the desert city by its zero income tax policy...
Economy
Google to provide Gemini AI tools to US government
Google will provide its Gemini artificial intelligence tools to US federal agencies practically free, the government announced Thursday.
Science
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Economy
Gross national income of GCC countries hits $2.143 trillion
Muscat, Oman -- The latest data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of...
- The value of disposable national income (available for consumption and savings after deducting taxes and other transfers) amounted to US$1.989 trillion.
- The data indicate that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the GCC’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices rose to 71.5 percent by the end of 2023.
Economy
Trump says semiconductor tariffs coming soon
"I'll be setting tariffs next week and the week after, on steel and, I would say, chips. Chips and semiconductors,...
- Trump said the levy rate would be "lower at the beginning" but "very high after a certain period of time," as a way to encourage businesses to relocate operations to the US.
- On August 6, Trump announced a 100 percent tariff on semiconductors from firms that do not invest in the United States.
Economy
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...
- The producer price index rose 0.9 percent on a month-on-month basis, much greater than analysts expected following benign consumer pricing data earlier this week
- Among individual companies, Intel surged 7.4 percent following a Bloomberg News report that Trump is considering an investment in the beleaguered chip company