INSEAD Day 4 - 728x90

Economy

Samsung biggest chip investor

The tech giant invested nearly $59.2bn in 2025.

flynas to set up new hub

Five destinations in first phase of operations.

AD Ports Group acquires CLI

CLI is Brazilian agri-bulk terminal operator.

$1.59bn Makkah project awarded

A consortium will develop two districts in the Holy City.

2PointZero posts profit surge

Growth driven by merger consolidation.

Saudi powers forward with deficit spending to fund diversification of its oil-dependent economy

Saudi Arabia greenlit its 2026 budget Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion) as the kingdom presses...

Economy

China’s consumer prices rose in Oct, reversing stagnation

Beijing has struggled to maintain a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, as it fights a debt crisis in its...

Economy
Economy

WEF24: GCC poised for growth amid global challenges

The region is on a growth track due to modernization, education, and broad integration with global economies, Joshua Friedman of...
  • The region is on a growth track due to modernization, education, and broad integration with global economies, Joshua Friedman of Canyon Partners tells TRENDS.
  • Friedman highlights global economic complacency, stressing the importance of addressing sovereign debt and corporate borrowing, while noting a few bright spots.
Business

Iran agricultural, food exports hit US$4.8bn in 10 months

TEHRAN, IRAN – The country has exported more than 6.7 million tons of agricultural and food products worth US$4.8 billion...
  • Of this amount, 4,944,481 tons worth $2,930,585,728 were dedicated to the export of agricultural products.
  • While 1,133,710 tons worth US$931,961,158 were dedicated to the export of food products.
Business

Sharjah Chamber posts growth in membership in 2023

SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced a series of significant achievements of the...
  • The number of membership renewals in 2023 hit 55,087 across industrial, commercial and professional sectors.
  • Free zone memberships stood at 1,795, while exports and re-exports were valued at approximately US$8.9 billion.
Economy

Saudi Arabia, Swiss Fund unveil billion-euro initiative for zero-emissions investments

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia and Swiss Fund have decided to initiate financing initiatives in the debt market in...
  • A substantial portion of this investment, approximately $1.8 trillion, is expected to be financed through bids aimed at attracting global investors from Switzerland and beyond
  • Apart from investments in zero-emissions projects, the collaboration extends to the insurance industry, which is poised for significant growth in the coming years
Economy

OECD predicts rise in global economy amid Middle East ‘risk’

The OECD raised its 2024 world economic growth forecast Monday but warned that the Middle East conflict posed a risk,...
  • The OECD now expects a 2.9 percent expansion, up from 2.7 percent in its previous forecast in November, as it sharply lifted the outlook for the US
  • While inflation is falling in major economies, "it is too soon to be sure that underlying price pressures are fully contained", the OECD added
Business

Investment in Qatar free zones reaches US$1.3bn, says QFZ chairman 

DOHA, QATAR - Minister of State and Chairman of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed...
  • The QFZ chairman held a meeting with a delegation led by First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari.
  • The delegation paid a field tour to the Ras Bufontas Free Zone to explore the investment benefits and business opportunities within the free zones.
Economy

Turkey’s inflation 65% in Jan, piles pressure on central bank

Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's annual inflation rate stayed stable in January at nearly 65 percent, but month-on-month consumer price increases jumped...
  • The year-on-year inflation rate moved to 64.86 percent -- up a notch from 64.77 percent in December, the TUIK statistics agency reported
  • The monthly inflation rate in January climbed to 6.7 percent, from 2.9 percent in December, following a 49-percent rise in the minimum wage in January

48 Middle East and North Africa IPOs raise $10.7bn in 2023: Report

Five listings, mainly in the energy and logistics sectors, contributed 58 percent towards the total IPO proceeds raised, said the...
  • During Q4 2023, 19 IPOs raised US$4.9bn in proceeds. ADES Holding Company raise the most funds and contributed 25% to the overall IPO in Q4.
  • Saudi Arabia dominated IPO activity in the region with 14 of the 19 listings in Q4 2023. ADES was the biggest with US$1.2bn in proceeds.
Business

Total M&A market drops to US$3.2trn in 2023, says report

DUBAI, UAE - The total M&A market dropped 15 percent, to US$3.2 trillion, the lowest level in a decade, as...
  • Many of the assets that did not come to market last year will fuel active dealmaking in 2024.
  • The collapse of technology M&A has been the biggest drag on strategic mergers and acquisitions.
Economy

GCC ministers hold discussion on food security in the region

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held a virtual meeting with ministers from...
  • The GCC secretary-general said that food security in the GCC countries receives great attention from the leaders of the GCC countries
  • He lay stress on involving all sectors of Gulf society, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to tailor the strategy

Saudi powers forward with deficit spending to fund diversification of its oil-dependent economy

Saudi Arabia greenlit its 2026 budget Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion) as the kingdom presses...
Economy

Company News

Latest News

From Iran Talks to Dubai Metro: Key Middle East Developments You Need to Know on June 10, 2025

Key developments across the Middle East today highlight regional diplomatic, economic and humanitarian trends
Economy

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP grows by 3.4 percent in Q1 mainly on non-oil activities

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s first quarter real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.4 percent year-on-year, according to...
Economy

US, China seek to extend trade truce with London talks

After a round of talks in Geneva last month, the United States and China will sit down at the negotiating...
Economy
INSEAD Day 4- 300x600
INSEAD Day 4- 300x600

Most Read

Economy

Trump says Musk has ‘lost his mind’ as feud fallout mounts

Washington, United States - US President Donald Trump said Friday that Elon Musk had "lost his mind" but insisted he...
  • The blistering public break-up between the world's richest person and the world's most powerful is fraught with political and economic risks all round
  • Trump had scrapped the idea of a call with Musk and was even thinking of ditching the red Tesla he bought at the height of their bromance, White House officials told AFP
Economy

MENA Outlook: Diversification, AI, and economic integration take centre stage

As the region pivots toward a post-oil future, recent developments across the Middle East and North Africa suggest an accelerating...
  • Saudi government announced a $5.6 billion fertilizer JV between SABIC and Aramco, while also adopting new green building codes to reduce emissions
  • From launching the world’s first AI-powered media council to streamlining family business, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reinventing the regulatory ecosystem to attract global capital
Economy

IMF upgrades Saudi real GDP growth forecast to 6% in 2025, up from

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upwards its forecast for Saudi Arabia's economic growth to...
  • This adjustment from earlier estimates reflects the impact of extended oil production cuts and a slower-than-expected rebound in oil output.
  • The IMF anticipates that inflation will remain contained, with an average annual rate holding steady at 2.1 percent in 2025 and easing slightly to 2 percent the following year.