Prone to conflict, displacement, climate shocks, investing in cities is a strategy for global stability
Addressing fragility in cities is, therefore, not only a social imperative; it is also a crucial economic consideration. It is...
Economy
“New Suez Canal on rails”: Egypt high-speed trains to connect Red Sea, Mediterranean
Workers have started laying tracks in the desert east of Cairo for Egypt's first high-speed train, which will link the...
Economy
Economy
Qatar National Bank forecasts world economic growth to be 2.9% in 2024
Doha, Qatar--Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects the global economic growth to be around 2.9 percent in 2024, roughly the same...
- QNB said that its view is more bullish than others as the bank believes the global economy to expand by 2.9 percent roughly the same rate as last year
- It believes the US economy would slow down as the US fiscal thrust is set to decelerate from a positive 1.9 percent in 2023 to a negative 1.4 percent in 2024
Global maritime trade sails into geopolitical storm
Most large international shipping companies have decided to reroute trading to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal through which...
- Maersk said Friday that it would divert all vessels around Africa instead of using the Red Sea for the "foreseeable future" after Yemeni rebels attacked its merchant ships
- Vessels are circumnavigating Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, which extends the journey between Asia and Europe by 10 to 20 days on average, said general manager of Ovrsea
Economy
‘Dubai reinforces global leadership in healthcare’
“Biomedical and health informatics professionals attending MedInfo 2027 will enjoy a world-class event in a thriving global city within close...
- Dubai successfully bids for World Congress of Medical Informatics (MedInfo) 2027.
- The emirate becomes first city in the MENA region to host this prestigious event.
Economy
UAE market cap soars as top 16 companies hit $734bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The aggregate market capitalization of the top 16 national companies listed on local exchanges stood at...
- The 16 listed companies accounted for about 74% of the total market capitalization of the local stock markets, which was around $998 billion at the close of trading
- The IHC held the top position with a market capitalization of more than $244 billion, approximately 24.5% of the local markets' capitalization
Economy
2024 set to see new era of digital transformation
The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable...
- The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable technology, UAE-based tech expert Dua Al Toobi tells TRENDS.
- Innovations are set to reshape the Gulf's economic and social landscape in 2024, marking a pivotal shift towards a knowledge-based economy, adds Al Toobi.
Economy
Eurozone inflation rises to 2.9% in Dec mainly due to energy costs
The data supports comments by European Central Bank (ECB) chief Christine Lagarde, who has warned that Europe should remain on...
- Energy prices in the eurozone fell in December, by 6.7 percent on an annual measure, but that was less than the 11.5 percent drop in November
- Among the 20 countries that use the euro, Belgium and Italy had the lowest inflation rate, reaching 0.5 percent in December
Economy
FAO says global food prices fell 13.7 percent in 2023
World food prices fell in 2023, with considerable declines for grains and oils as supply concerns eased, the UN's Food...
- Overall, world food commodity prices fell 13.7 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, Rome-based FAO said.
- The vegetable oil price index posted the biggest fall last year, dropping 32.7 percent, thanks to improved supplies and reduced use for biofuel production.
Economy
Saudi insurance sector targets 25m beneficiaries by 2030
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia saw an 18% surge in health insurance beneficiaries in 2022, reaching a total of...
- The expansion in the sector is largely propelled by the introduction of the mandatory health insurance for private sector workers and their dependents
- Saudi Arabia saw an 18% surge in health insurance beneficiaries in 2022, reaching a total of 11.5 million individuals by year-end
Economy
‘Major shifts are reshaping the Arab world’s future’
"Most of the global trends are positive if analyzed in terms of economic value. Countries have developed and lifted millions...
- Al Gergawi emphasizes the pivotal role of Gulf countries in shaping global agendas, from environmental discussions at COP28 to major events like the World Cup.
- He underlines the criticality of understanding the new global changes, including tech advancements, and the balance between positive global trends and challenges.
Business
Penguin, SkyBlue ink MoU
The aim is to redefine outdoor media advertising in Abu Dhabi.
- Penguin and SkyBlue will collaborate on key advertising locations, with this being the Malaysian firm’s first move into the Abu Dhabi market.
- This follows an agreement between the Malaysian outdoor advertising company with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.
Prone to conflict, displacement, climate shocks, investing in cities is a strategy for global stability
Addressing fragility in cities is, therefore, not only a social imperative; it is also a crucial economic consideration. It is...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
General Gulf inflation rate logs 1.7% by end of Dec 2024
Muscat, Oman -- The general inflation rate in the GCC countries rose by 1.7 percent at the end of December...
Business
US stocks move sideways but poised for weekly gains
The S&P 500 has risen the last four sessions, extending the positive momentum after last weekend's trade talks resulted in...
Business
Tehran says no objection to US investment in Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran has no objection to US companies operating in the country, including...
Economy
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Economy
US, China to publish details of ‘substantial’ trade talks in Geneva
The US and China will Monday give details of "substantial progress" touted by Washington on trade talks aimed at ending...
- It was the first time senior officials from the world's two largest economies have met face-to-face to talk trade since Trump imposed steep new levies on China totalling 145%
- The trade spat between Washington and Beijing has rocked financial markets and raised fears of a global economic slowdown and an inflationary spike in the United States
Economy
Asian markets rally after positive China-US trade talks
Asian stocks rallied Monday after top Chinese and US officials held "substantial" trade talks at the weekend, fuelling hopes the...
- Investors have been on a rollercoaster ride since Donald Trump unveiled eye-watering tolls on trading partners on April 2
- The US president eventually hiked the measures against China to 145 percent, which were met with retaliatory rates of 125 percent
Economy
Washington hails ‘substantive progress’ after trade talks with China
Washington expressed optimism at the end of a weekend of trade talks with China aimed to de-escalate trade tensions sparked...
- The meetings marked the first time senior officials from the two countries met since Trump slapped steep levies on China
- After the first day of negotiations, Trump had posted on Truth Social that the discussions had been "very good"

