US Fed will likely cut again despite economic murkiness from shutdown
The central bank's second-to-last rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weeks-long standoff between...
Economy
Oil prices surge as Trump hits Russian crude with sanctions
The international benchmark contract, Brent North Sea crude, jumped 4.8 percent while West Texas Intermediate was up 5.1 percent. Trump on Wednesday announced...
Geostrategy
Economy
China’s new tariffs policy to hasten industrial transformation
Beijing, China -- China's import and export tariff adjustments on some goods took effect on Monday, including implementing provisional import...
- China lowered import tariffs on resources and NEVs, aiming to enhance competitiveness and secure supplies.
- Tariffs on medicines and food for medical purposes were cut, reflecting a focus on health and consumer needs.
Economy
Qatar’s industrial sector PPI down in Nov on lower oil prices
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's Producer Price Index (PPI) of the industrial sector in the country for November was 118.65 points,...
- Qatar's industrial PPI fell 1.95% in November, driven by oil price drops in mining and some manufacturing sectors.
- Electricity prices defied the trend, showing MoM and YoY increases, while water prices dipped MoM but rose slightly YoY.
Economy
Saudi Arabia launches skill verification program in Egypt
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), has initiated the first...
- The collaborative effort with the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower aims to improve the proficiency of professional labor in Egypt
- In its inaugural phase, the SVP will focus on evaluating skills in five key professions: plumbing, electrical work, welding, automotive mechanics, and carpentry
Economy
UAE’s CEPA program marks ‘exponential growth’
“Trade has always been important to the UAE, a bridge connecting our products, skills, and natural resources to the world,...
- In 2023, the UAE's CEPA program achieved substantial growth, implementing three agreements and signing two more, expanding its global trade network across four continents.
- In 2023, the UAE's non-oil foreign trade soared to a record AED1.24 trillion, complemented by the launch of the Trade Tech initiative with WEF to digitize global supply chains.
Economy
Nationalization efforts transform Saudi workforce
Saudi Arabia's ambitious nationalization initiative has significantly impacted its labor market, with the Kingdom experiencing a historic low unemployment rate...
- Saudi Arabia's ambitious nationalization initiative has significantly impacted its labor market, with the Kingdom experiencing a historic low unemployment rate of 8.6%.
- The Kingdom's success on employment front is attributed to Vision 2030's strategic economic diversification and an increased focus on local workforce development.
Economy
GCC eyes economic upswing, business growth in 2024
Despite last year's challenges, the region is set to see robust growth this year, led by the UAE, which is...
- Despite last year's challenges, the region is set to see robust growth this year, led by the UAE, which is expected to top the economic performance with a 4% GDP growth.
- The Gulf region's growth is likely to be underpinned by technological advancements and a resilient banking sector, ready to navigate through global economic shifts.
Business
UAE announces reduction in fuel prices for January
ABU DHABI, UAE - The prices of petrol and diesel are set to decrease in the country in January following...
- This change reflects a continuous trend observed in the fuel prices over the past few months.
- September and October witnessing increases and November and December seeing reductions.
YEARBOOK 2023
From climate action to global aid: Inside UAE’s remarkable year
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE is bidding farewell to 2023, dubbed the ‘Year of Sustainability'. From hosting the relatively...
- UAE launched ALTÉRRA, the world’s largest private investment climate action vehicle, aimed at raising and mobilizing an additional $250bn for climate action.
- Despite global headwinds, CBUAE projects 3.3 percent year-on-year growth projected for the UAE economy in 2024.
Business
45 percent of Saudi employees work over 40 hours per week
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 45.8 percent of employees in Saudi Arabia work more than 40 hours per week and...
- Figures also show that 46.6 percent of employees have received training on health and safety procedures, and 48.7 percent have health and safety departments in their workplace.
- Data also shows that 7.8 percent of employees deal directly or indirectly with chemicals, medical waste, radioactive materials or toxic gases.
Business
Bank takes over Amiantit subsidiary
The bank will absolve Amiantit of all its financial obligations.
- The debt being cleared constitutes approximately 50 percent of the total liabilities that Amiantit owes to various banks.
- Preliminary estimates suggest the company will recognize profits worth US$128 million as a result of this settlement.
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US Fed will likely cut again despite economic murkiness from shutdown
The central bank's second-to-last rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weeks-long standoff between...
Economy
Company News
Fourth Industrial Revolution centers announced for Riyadh, Muscat, Pretoria
World Economic Forum
Latest News
Tariff war: Xi says China must ‘overcome’ AI chip challenges
Beijing, China - President Xi Jinping said China must "overcome" the challenges of developing core AI technologies including high-end chips,...
Economy
IMF, World Bank welcome efforts for Syria to reintegrate globally
Washington, United States - The International Monetary Fund and World Bank's leaders said in a joint statement Thursday that they...
Economy
Lebanon parliament approves changes to banking secrecy law
Beirut, Lebanon -- Lebanon's parliament on Thursday approved amendments to banking secrecy legislation, a key reform demanded by the International...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
Trump eyes ‘fair deal’ with China, but path to ending tariff war remains unclear
Trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies have soared as Trump ramped up levies on imports from China this...
- But how soon the tariffs can be lowered "depends on them," Trump said, referring to Beijing, even as he maintained that he gets along "very well" with Chinese President Xi Jinping
- But earlier Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that the two countries are "not yet" talking when it comes to lowering tariffs
Economy
IMF cuts global growth outlook on impact of Trump tariffs
Washington, United States -- The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its forecast for global growth this year, citing the...
- The IMF projections see the global economy growing by 2.8 percent this year, 0.5 percentage points lower than the previous World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast in January.
- The IMF expects China, the world's second-largest economy, to see growth slump to 4.0 percent this year, down from 5.0 percent in 2024.
Business
Gold hits record, dollar drops as tariff fears dampen sentiment
With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the...
- The precious metal was also helped by a weaker dollar, which has also been hit by worries about Trump's standoff with Fed boss Jerome Powell.
- Stocks had a mixed start to the week, with Tokyo weighed by the stronger yen while Taipei, Jakarta and Bangkok were also in negative territory.