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...
Economy
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s...
Economy
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
Economy
GCC leaps into healthy aging with tech and policy
In the Gulf countries, a transformative journey toward healthy aging is underway, fueled by technological advancements and government initiatives, says...
- In the Gulf countries, a transformative journey toward healthy aging is underway, fueled by technological advancements and government initiatives, says an expert.
- With the UAE leading in longevity research and AI revolutionizing healthcare, the region is on a promising path to ensure longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lifespans.
Economy
Number of visitors to Qatar rises 31.9 percent in December, says report
DOHA, QATAR - The total number of inbound visitors to the country reached about 519 thousand in December 2023, recording...
- Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin said the highest number of visitors was from the Gulf Cooperation Counci at 33 percent.
- According to the bulletin, the total number of registered new vehicles in December 2023 has reached 3,390 new vehicles.
Economy
Saudi Arabia sets $54m threshold for public-private partnership projects
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has revised the regulations of its Privatization Law, setting the minimum limit for a...
- The amendments consist of 169 articles covering principles of privatization, minimum project values, and criteria for applying the system to privatization projects
- Saudi Arabia initiated the privatization program in 2018 to boost the national economy, enhance the private sector's role, and allocate government assets efficiently
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...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...
Geostrategy
Oil prices seesaw as investors await Iran response to US strikes
US stocks edged higher while European markets retreated and Asian equities were mixed, with markets keeping a close eye on...
Geostrategy
Oil prices spike after US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
Economists at MUFG warned of "high uncertainty of the outcomes and duration of this war", giving a "scenario analysis" of...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
Trade war worsens foreign investment outlook: UNCTAD World Investment Report
Presenting the annual report at a press conference, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan said it contained a "clear and urgent" message...
- After two consecutive years of decline, the FDI outlook for 2025 remains negative due to uncertainties triggered by the tariff war waged by Trump, the UNCTAD said.
- UNCTAD said that when adjusted to strip out volatile financial flows through several European economies, FDI fell by 11% last year to $1.5 trillion.
Economy
US Fed keeps interest rates unchanged in face of Trump criticism
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters the central bank would make better decisions if it waited a few months to...
- For now, he expects to learn more "over the summer," while officials appear increasingly divided on whether they can cut interest rates at all in 2025.
- The Fed kept the benchmark lending rate between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent at the end of its two-day meeting, with officials penciling in two rate reductions this year.
Geostrategy
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,...
- Saudi-based Cluster2 Airports Company signed a strategic MoU with Airbus. The agreement will see the deployment of the Agnet Turnaround platform across Cluster2’s 22 airports.
- Saudi National Bank (SNB) has issued $1.25 billion in Tier 2 bonds at a 6% profit rate under its $10 billion Euro Medium Term Note program.