Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
UAE stablecoin usage up 55% yoy as new regulations drive market momentum
Stablecoins account for the largest share of crypto activity in the UAE (51%), which stands significantly higher than both Bitcoin...
Economy
Economy
Gaza conflict casts shadow on Israel’s gas industry
War with Palestinians disrupts Israel's gas exports, causing economic losses and altering energy strategies.
- The accounting and consulting firm BDO Israel estimated the economic losses of the closure of the Tamar field at about US$ 201 million a month
- The gas field supplied 8.7 billion cubic meters of gas to the Israeli market in 2022 while exporting another 1.57 billion cubic meters to Egypt and Jordan
Business
UAE holds 19% of global sustainable bonds, says Fitch Ratings
DUBAI, UAE - Fitch Ratings has affirmed the critical role that COP28 will play in raising awareness of sustainability issues...
- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the critical role that COP28 will play in raising awareness of sustainability issues in the region.
- Environmental, social and governance bonds in UAE constitute over 19 percent of the global ESG bond market.
Economy
Dubai Customs logs 13% growth in transactions in first nine months of 2023
DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Customs has experienced a robust 13 percent increase with 21.6 million transactions during the first nine...
- The upswing aligns with the targets of Dubai’s economic agenda D33, which seeks to double foreign trade.
- By the end of the third quarter of 2023, Dubai Customs had processed approximately 18.8 million customs declarations.
Business
Adoption of electric vehicles in US face infrastructure hurdles
NEW YORK, US - The US transition to electric cars has hit a speed bump, with concerns about vehicle range and...
- Automakers in recent weeks have pushed back EV sales targets and delayed capital projects as they seek to reduce inventories of unsold EVs at dealerships.
- The network of EV charging stations in the US remains dodgy, with many areas either lacking infrastructure or equipped with unreliable machines
Economy
EDB pledges to expand UAE’s renewables market through easy financing
Dubai, UAE-- With its financing packages for the renewables sector to support the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources,...
- EDB CEO Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi said the bank through its financing can help businesses switch to solar-power to reduce emissions
- The bank can offer up to 100% financing with a maximum tenure of 15 years and a two-year grace period for investments in renewable energy
Geostrategy
Bahrain and Thailand seek to boost economic cooperation
Manama, Bahrain-- Bahrain and Thailand have held discussions to enhance economic cooperation in a meeting between top officials of the...
- The two officials took a review of the progress made in the political and economic cooperation between the two kingdoms
- They underscored the resolve of the two countries to consolidate security and peace, and also support sustainable development goals
Economy
GCC sovereigns eye fiscal rejuvenation
A report by S&P Global Ratings forecasts improved fiscal positions due to higher oil prices, fiscal consolidation and a robust...
- The report projects a nearly $11 billion deficit on average over 2023-2026 which is 0.5 percent of average GCC GDP over this period
- Prudent fiscal policy and the relatively higher oil price environment have resulted in some governments repaying part of their debt stock
Geostrategy
Gaza faces shortage of flour due to Israel-Hamas war
KHAN YUNIS, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - One of the last grain warehouses in the Gaza Strip has been damaged by Israeli strikes...
- Of the five flour mills in the densely populated Palestinian territory, at least two have been hit since the war began on October 7.
- Humanitarian aid arriving via Egypt has done little to remedy the shortages, made worse by power cuts and a lack of fuel for generators.
Economy
GCC maintains stable inflation rates despite crises
Pausing of rate hikes by global central banks amid fluctuating inflation rates influences global markets, with specific impacts in the...
- Pausing of rate hikes by global central banks amid fluctuating inflation rates influences global markets, with specific impacts in the MENA region, says a new report.
- The latest Kamco report offers an insightful analysis of economic trends in key Gulf countries, shedding light on their unique inflationary challenges and strategies.
Economy
Fitch maintains ‘A+’ rating of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, outlook stable
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Global credit agency Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund's (PIF) long-term foreign- and...
- The agency highlighted the PIF’s robust financial autonomy and its critical role in bolstering Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross domestic product
- Fitch notably expressed the far-reaching consequences of a potential PIF default, foreseeing adverse effects on Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals
Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
Company News
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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,...
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...
Economy
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...
Science
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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