UAE builds resilient economy outpacing skeptics and shocks
From the 1980s onward, the federal government and individual emirates launched broader diversification and liberalization programs to reduce reliance on...
Economy
Kuwait rises on the strength of collaboration: Airlines deal and sweeping reforms fuel economic revival
In addition, Kuwait hosted a major joint meeting between the GCC and the United Kingdom in October focused on a...
Economy
Economy
Saudi Arabia ranks 1st in international tourist arrivals growth in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia topped the UN Tourism’s ranking for the growth of international tourist arrivals in 2023...
- The kingdom recorded a remarkable tourism recovery rate of 156% in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, the report revealed
- Saudi Arabia set a record in international tourist receipts, with total spending exceeding SAR 100 billion ($27 billion) for the first three quarters of 2023
Geostrategy
Iran, Armenia eye $3 billion bilateral trade volume
Tehran, Iran – Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan on Thursday said that Iran and Armenia have the potential...
- Grigoryan made the remarks during the 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission where he also described Iran as “a very important partner.”
- The 18th meeting of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission was held on February 14-15 in Tehran to further foster economic ties between the two countries
Business
Mawani completes Red Sea Gateway Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, announced the completion of the Red Sea Gateway Terminal at Jeddah...
- The gateway terminal has larger capacity, is equipped with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature, and uses 146 different types of equipment
- The development of Jeddah Islamic Port’s North Container Terminal is included in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract
Geostrategy
Tunisia gets new central bank chief amid economic crisis
TUNIS, TUNISIA - President Kais Saied on Thursday appointed a new governor of the central bank of Tunisia, a north African...
- Fethi Zouhair Nouri, a 69-year-old member of the central bank's board, will succeed 64-year-old Marouane Abassi.
- Tunisia has grappled with a growing economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic, political tensions.
India’s top court strikes down anonymous election funding scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has defended electoral bonds, arguing that because the electoral bond donations are channelled through the...
- The scheme allowed donors to give anonymously through "electoral bonds" purchased from a bank
- Critics have condemned the campaign financing method as an opaque way to funnel "black money" to parties
Economy
Saudi Arabia set to establish more smart industrial zones
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia will establish more smart industrial zones, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing,...
- Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail revealed this at the conclusion of the inaugural Global Smart City Forum 2024 here on Tuesday
- Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef who also attended the Forum, stressed the industry and mining sectors' increasing demand for smart industrial cities
Economy
Saudi budget records $10 billion deficit in Q4 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's general budget recorded a deficit of $9.86 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023,...
- The total revenues for the period amounted to $95.45 billion, while total expenses reached about $105.32 billion
- This reflects a slight increase in the deficit compared to the previous quarter, which stood at $9.54 billion
Economy
GCC economies eye $2.5trn from better productivity
The region pins hope on the new Productivity Potential Index that offers a forward-looking framework, incorporating environmental, health, and innovation...
- The region pins hope on the new Productivity Potential Index that offers a forward-looking framework, incorporating environmental, health, and innovation factors.
- The PPI enhances output by identifying and improving weak areas, addressing 21st-century challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and social change.
Economy
Saudi Arabia extends online services to help foreign firms set up regional hqrs in kingdom
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce has announced the provision of online services for foreign companies looking...
- These services encompass issuing regional headquarters as a branch or as a new foreign company, in addition to issuing, amending, and renewing commercial registers
- The electronic services are accessible through the ministry's digital platform at e.mc.gov.sa and the Saudi Business Center's platform at business.sa
Economy
Saudi Arabia enacts law to safeguard whistle-blowers and witnesses
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday granted approval for the law for the protection of whistleblowers, witnesses, experts,...
- The milestone law, previously greenlit by the Shoura Council, is designed to safeguard individuals who may face threats for providing information on crimes
- The law empowers judicial authorities to shield them from potential threats, assaults, revenge, intimidation, and other risks
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
UAE builds resilient economy outpacing skeptics and shocks
From the 1980s onward, the federal government and individual emirates launched broader diversification and liberalization programs to reduce reliance on...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
MENA Brief | June 19: GCC central banks hold interest rates steady, Diriyah House launched in London
As most currencies in the region are pegged to the US dollar, monetary policy follows the decisions taken in Washington,...
Geostrategy
Asian stocks drop after Fed warning, oil dips with Mideast in focus
Hong Kong, China - Asian stocks fell Thursday after the Federal Reserve warned Donald Trump's trade war would likely reignite...
Economy
US Fed set to hold rates steady as it guards against inflation
Washington, United States - The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday after its key policy...
Economy
Most Read
Business
Cross-border payments and financial inclusion drive stablecoin popularity
London, United Kingdom -- Stablecoins -- a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets -- are gaining traction, with the...
- Stablecoins play a key role in crypto markets, enabling users to trade digital assets without relying on traditional banks, instead using blockchain.
- Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, stablecoins track the value of traditional assets -- such as the US dollar or gold -- enabling greater stability.
Economy
Global oil demand to dip in 2030, first drop since Covid: IEA
IEA cited sluggish economic growth, global trade tensions, the rise of electric cars and the shift away from crude to...
- Total demand is forecast to reach 105.5 million bpd in 2030 after peaking at 105.6 million bpd in 2029.
- Oil demand dropped dramatically in 2020, when countries locked down and shut their borders during the Covid pandemic, falling to 91.7 million bpd.
Economy
Oil prices jump after Trump’s warning, stocks extend gains
Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war as Israel...
- Hopes that the deadly conflict can be contained helped most equities rise, while the US president's earlier claim that the Iran wanted to make a nuclear deal also eased fears
- After Friday's surge sparked by Israel's attacks on its regional foe, crude ticked more than one percent lower Monday as traders bet that the battle would not spread