The great tech reset: How the gulf turned sovereign capital into a tech ecosystem
The GCC has quickly moved from passive capital allocation into active ecosystem building, spurred on by heavy sovereign capital and...
Economy
Gaming, esports GCC’s new growth play
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the gaming surge with world-class ecosystems and youth-driven expansion. Across the region, governments...
Economy
Economy
China’s Guangdong province now boasts of 75,000 high-tech companies
Shenzen, China--The total number of high-tech enterprises in south China's Guangdong Province has exceeded 75,000, local authorities have said. By...
- The province's estimated annual research and development (R&D) expenditure topped about $64.8 billion by the end of 2023
- The region has seen its gross domestic product surpass $1.80 trillion in 2023, topping the country for 35 consecutive years
Economy
Strategic initiatives help UAE lead digital economy
“This economy merges national skills and technological solutions, creating an advanced model that contributes to achieving the goals of the...
- The UAE is aiming to significantly boost the digital economy's contribution to the non-oil GDP over the next decade.
- Efforts are being ramped up to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions across various sectors in the Gulf country.
Business
stc 2023 revenues is $19.28bn
Gross profit for 2023 rose 1.1 percent compared to 2022.
- The growth was mainly attributed to the increase in commercial unit revenues by 5.1 percent
- It was also due to rise in carriers and wholesale unit revenues by 1.4 percent in stc KSA,.
Business
Construction in China-Saudi Arabia ethylene project begins
FUZHOU, CHINA - Construction of the main complex of a joint-investment ethylene project, which involves petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries...
- The project is being built in the Gulei petrochemicals base in Zhangzhou city, in eastern China’s Fujian Province.
- The project entails a total investment of $6.3 billion from SABIC and Fujian Energy Petrochemical Group Co. Ltd.
Business
Iran-EU trade surpasses US$5bn in 2023, says Eurostat
TEHRAN, IRAN - The Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) reported that Iran and the 27 European Union member...
- Trade between Iran and member states of the EU recorded a decrease of 9 percent from January to December 2023.
- During that period, the exchange of products between Iran and the EU member states was valued at US$5 billion.
Business
SCC committee discusses issues related to Sharjah’s economy and tourism
SHARJAH, UAE - The Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs Committee of Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) held a meeting to discuss...
- The committee addressed the outcomes of its recent visit to Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
- The committee was briefed about the authority’s efforts to stimulate tourism by conducting events throughout the year.
Geostrategy
Norway deal averts Palestinian financial collapse: govt
The portion of the revenues that Israel will transfer to Norway will remain in a Norwegian account until the parties...
- Under a 1994 agreement, the PA receives taxes that Israel collects on its behalf -- but Israel has withheld some of these since Hamas's attack
- The Palestinian Authority has refused to accept any transfers unless Israel changes its decision, an impasse that has lasted for several months
Interview
WEF24: Pragmatic actions to help in carbon neutrality
Technology investment and corporate partnerships can play a crucial role in driving significant emission reduction, Hans Kobler of Energy Impact...
- Technology investment and corporate partnerships can play a crucial role in driving significant emission reduction, Hans Kobler of Energy Impact Partners tells TRENDS.
- He stresses the need for concrete action, emphasizing the importance of pragmatic strategies and sustained investment to overcome the challenges of climate finance.
Geostrategy
Qatar minister urges Gaza ceasefire to end Red Sea insecurity
The Houthis, who control vast swathes of Yemen, have said the attacks, beginning in November, have targeted vessels linked to...
- Many companies have chosen to divert their vessels to avoid the Red Sea
- US and UK strikes on Houthi targets have failed to halt the rebel attacks
Economy
China maintains basic balance in international payments in 2023
Beijing, China--China maintained a basic balance in its international payments last year, with its current account surplus amounting to US$264.2...
- China's foreign-exchange regulator said the ratio of the current account surplus to gross domestic product was 1.5 percent last year
- The administration's data shows the surplus under trade in goods came in at $608bn last year, the second highest level in the history
The great tech reset: How the gulf turned sovereign capital into a tech ecosystem
The GCC has quickly moved from passive capital allocation into active ecosystem building, spurred on by heavy sovereign capital and...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
G20 nations agree central bank independence ‘crucial’
The statement came after months of escalating attacks by US President Donald Trump on Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell. The...
Geostrategy
Global markets rise as Trump weighs future of Fed boss
US indices were near record highs two hours into the Wall Street session with all eyes on an incoming earnings...
Business
AI-powered ‘nudify’ apps fuel deadly wave of digital blackmail
Washington, United States - After a Kentucky teenager died by suicide this year, his parents discovered he had received threatening...
Investigation
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Economy
Macron calls on EU to ‘defend European interests’ in US tariff talks
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday condemned US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 30-percent tariffs on the European Union,...
- US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that Mexico and the EU would be slapped with 30-percent tariffs starting on August 1
- Expressing France's "very strong disapproval" of the announcement, Macron called on the bloc to "step up the preparation of credible countermeasures
Economy
UAE, Germany launch joint business council to strengthen economic ties
Berlin, Germany - Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy to the...
- The event brought together more than 150 prominent business leaders from both countries and formed part of the official visit of Dr. Al Jaber to Germany
- The establishment of the UAE-Germany Business Council reflects the strong and long-standing economic partnership between the two nations
Economy
Demand for crude will continue to expand through 2050, says OPEC
In its latest annual report on the outlook for oil demand, OPEC sees global oil demand rising by 18.6 percent...
- That rising demand will be "driven by expanding economic growth, rising populations, increasing urbanization, and the new energy-intensive industries like AI.
- The IEAÂ said last month that it expects global oil demand begin to decline in 2030, driven by the rise of electric cars and the shift away from crude to produce power.

