World Bank raises Saudi Arabia’s real GDP growth forecast to 7.9 percent in 2027
The revised forecast represents an increase of about three percentage points and comes as the bank expects the Saudi economy...
Economy
US consumer confidence hits its lowest level since 2014 on higher cost of goods, services
The Conference Board’s gauge of confidence decreased 6.7 points to 81.9 after a downward revision to the prior month, data...
Economy
Economy
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...
- Heavy bets on cloud, AI infrastructure, and data centers are reshaping the region’s tech base
- The UAE and Saudi Arabia are fast closing the infrastructure gap with global tech leaders
Economy
Jobs and investment top MENA expectations from multinational firms, Ipsos finds
As geopolitical turbulence grows, companies are increasingly at the mercy of forces beyond corporate leadership’s control.
- American multinationals now face the strongest global skepticism, with “Brand America” increasingly linked to ethical, environmental, and economic concerns
- A company’s country of origin has become a reputational “passport,” shaping trust as much as corporate behavior itself
Geostrategy
Citizen-consumers are redefining the global reputation of multinationals: Ipsos study
The report, Impacts of Multinational Corporations: What Citizen-Consumers Want from Foreign Companies Doing Business in Their Country, draws on a...
- Despite regional differences, one expectation stands out globally: people want multinational corporations to contribute to local economies.
- This economic focus was particularly pronounced in developing and emerging markets, including many countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.
Economy
Governments must put creativity at the center of economic strategy: Report
Titled Creative Futures: The Springboard for Sustained Economic Growth and Diversification, the report argues that cultural and creative industries —...
- The report finds that every dollar invested in creative industries generates approximately $2.50 in broader economic activity across sectors such as tourism and urban services.
- It warns that countries slow to act risk becoming importers of creative content rather than exporters shaping global cultural markets.
Web Summit Qatar 2026 in Doha draws 30,000 participants, global tech leaders
The summit features a high-profile lineup of speakers, including Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht, IBM Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil, Twitch...
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...
- Flagship events such as the Dubai Esports Festival and the BLAST Premier World Final, hosted by AD Gaming, have elevated the UAE’s global standing.
- With nearly 71 percent of the population under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia’s youth form the foundation of its gaming transformation.
Economy
Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick
Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...
- Precious metals prices tumbled on Friday after surging in recent days when investors sought a safe haven over doubts about Trump's policies
- Silver, which Thursday reached an all-time peak above $120 an ounce, shed 20 percent meanwhile in sliding down to $90 an ounce
How Doha is Building a Knowledge Economy
By pairing sovereign capital with frictionless regulation, Doha reversed the startup playbook, attracting investors and founders first, then letting an...
- Qatar is using Web Summit not as an event, but as the organising backbone of a national startup and knowledge economy
- Rapid growth in attendance, startups, investors and female founders signals accelerating ecosystem momentum
Economy
Qatar announces $430 mn in support for Lebanon
A visiting Qatari official on Monday announced a multi-million dollar aid package for Lebanon, primarily to support the country's crumbling...
- In a separate statement, the Qatar Development Fund said the package was valued at about $430 million, the majority of it to support the energy sector
- "The support includes a contribution of up to $400 million to support the energy sector," of which 10 percent would be allocated as a grant, it added
Economy
WEF26: Saudi Arabia positions itself as ‘connector economy’ amid shifting global trade
Saudi Arabia is seeking to leverage changes in global trade and supply chains to position itself as a “connector economy,”...
- Speaking at a session titled ‘Many Shapes of Trade’, Commerce Minister Majid A. Alkassabi said global trade was moving toward a more regulated framework, offering new opportunities
- Tourism Minister Ahmed A. Alkhateeb highlighted the potential of travel during a session titled ‘The New Geography of Travel: Elevating Destinations, Expanding Opportunities'
World Bank raises Saudi Arabia’s real GDP growth forecast to 7.9 percent in 2027
The revised forecast represents an increase of about three percentage points and comes as the bank expects the Saudi economy...
Economy
Company News
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Saudi Arabia’s inflation rises to 1.8 percent in May on higher rents
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate rose to 1.8% in May 2026, up from April, as higher housing,...
Economy
Middle East conflict slows global growth outlook, World Bank says
Most economies saw forecasts downgraded as rising energy costs, inflation and borrowing expenses create fresh challenges for growth and development...
Geostrategy
AI success in life sciences depends on people as much as technology: Bain
Organizations creating the most value from AI are not necessarily those deploying the most technology. Instead, they are redesigning workflows,...
Business
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Economy
PIF assets reach $910 billion by 2025 end, below Vision 2030 target
According to the latest Vision 2030 annual report, the real non-oil GDP reached $892 billion against a target of $904...
- The figure represents substantial growth for the sovereign wealth fund but remains below the programme's target of $1.09 trillion.
- The sovereign wealth fund is the main financial engine behind Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's plan to reduce dependence on oil revenues.
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s economy expands as oil and non-oil sectors grow
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), all major economic sectors recorded positive annual growth during the quarter, reflecting...
- Oil and non-oil activities each increased 2.9% from a year earlier, underscoring balanced contributions to economic expansion.
- By regulatory sectors, the oil sector expanded 2.8% YoY in Q1 2026, while the non-oil sector grew 2.6%. The private sector posted growth of 2.8%.
Business
Microsoft data highlights Qatar’s rapid Artificial Intelligence growth
The finding place Qatar among the top ten countries globally for practical AI usage. Qatar's AI market reached approximately $59...
- Experts say governance, regulation and workforce skills will determine the long-term success of Qatar's AI ambitions.
- Several institutions have played a leading role in advancing AI adoption, including Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.