The shift from innovative to native: Unlocking where real AI value lies
There are, of course, technical hurdles to overcome, too, one of which is modernizing legacy systems. Many enterprises still operate...
Opinion
How travel brands can target high-intent travelers in the MEA region
As tourism booms across the Middle East and Africa, travel brands face fierce competition. Success now means using data-driven, personalized...
Opinion
Opinion
Expo City Dubai’s adaptive reuse redefines urban living
"With sustainability as a top priority in the region, we are excited to see more developers consider repurposing properties and...
- Expo City Dubai stands as a landmark adaptive reuse project, signaling a shift towards sustainable development in the Middle East.
- The new project repurposes the World Expo 2020 site into a self-sustaining and eco-friendly residential neighborhood in Dubai.
Opinion
Dubai’s real estate defies the odds during global crises
The Palestine-Israel conflict and the war in Ukraine illustrate the difficulty in forecasting the enduring impact of such events. In...
- Dubai's strategic neutrality in Middle Eastern conflicts underpins its appeal to foreign investors.
- The city's reputation for safety and tolerance continues to attract a diverse international community.
Opinion
US curbs on Iran’s oil exports may hit global portfolios
The US tightening sanctions on Iranian oil could have a negative impact on individual and institutional investment portfolios by disrupting...
- The potential US sanctions on Iran's crude oil exports, due to its support for Hamas, could directly impact global portfolios, especially those with energy sector assets.
- Potential restrictions on Iran will present both challenges and opportunities for energy stocks, possibly prompting central banks to raise rates amid inflation concerns.
Opinion
Women break barriers for gender equality in finance
This culture should recognize and value the contributions of women and prioritize their growth and development. By highlighting successful women...
- In the financial sector, diverse teams enhance decision-making and performance, yet women occupy just 10% of CEO roles in Fortune 500 companies
- Emirati women constitute 31% of the UAE's finance sector workforce, underscoring the crucial role of mentorship and role models in advancing their careers.
Economy
For GCC, centralized demand planning is indispensable
Facing challenges like varied categorization and technical standards, GCC economies are turning to innovative solutions. With digital technologies and unified...
- GCC governments can attain more effective demand planning by mandating a common harmonized data structure and forecasts based on volatility metrics
- As GCC aims to reshape their economies by fortifying local industries, governments and SOEs have a golden opportunity to attract the necessary investment
Opinion
MEA brands focus on personalized customer experience
"Post-Covid GCC travel trends are promising: about 50% of customers plan to increase digital spending in travel and retail. With...
- In the digital era, customer engagement is vital, shifting from transactional ties to interactive bonds; 20% of engaged patrons drive 80% of sales through endorsements
- Post-Covid, travelers see personalized offers, not just reminders; 34% might switch due to poor communication; GCC sees rising digital spend; CEPs promote sustainable growth.
Market Report
New initiatives to enhance Saudi market infrastructure
"This quarter, we focused on enhancing our market infrastructure and introduced several initiatives, including changes to the debt market; negotiated...
- In Q2 2023, Saudi's capital market grew steadily, with Main Market capitalization rising by 9.24%, despite slower GDP growth and declining inflation from Q1
- Nomu - Parallel Market's capitalization surged by 54.61% during Q2 with eight new companies listed, as Saudi Exchange prioritized attracting foreign investors
Opinion
Logistics delivers boom with value-added services
"A top-tier, industry-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is vital for efficiently delivering these value-added services. Distributors grapple with supply...
- The Middle East and African freight and logistics market is predicted to record a compound annual growth rate of about 6% between 2023 and 2028
- To tap into growth opportunities in the region and for better results, distributors must consider incorporating value-added services into their strategies
Opinion
BRICS expansion points to a shift in global dynamics
The Middle East, with its vast resources and strategic position, can play a crucial role in BRICS' vision of a...
- The inclusion of major Middle Eastern countries, six out of the ten biggest global oil suppliers, will now be part of the BRICS
- This gives the alliance significant leverage in the global energy market, potentially influencing global oil prices and energy policies
Opinion
Cloud-based tools help optimize customer experience
Customer experience leaders in organizations of any size will see increased satisfaction in self-service, routing, and agent utilization by implementing...
- Seventy percent of consumers believe a company's effectiveness is determined by its service
- New tools help automate tasks, provide data and insights, inform decisions, and improve workflow
Most Read
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The shift from innovative to native: Unlocking where real AI value lies
There are, of course, technical hurdles to overcome, too, one of which is modernizing legacy systems. Many enterprises still operate...
Opinion
Company News
Latest News
Digital innovation fuels surge in Iraq’s banking sector
"These banks excel not only in financial performance but also in adapting and innovating. Through partnerships with global entities like...
Opinion
UHNWIs drive Dubai’s luxury real estate growth
"The ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) have transformative impact on the real estate market. These individuals, with their discerning tastes and substantial...
Opinion
Cyber insurance shapes the future of cybersecurity
Cyber insurance, particularly around ransomware, is moving towards a world where insured businesses have strong cyber resilience, well-defined disaster recovery...
Opinion
Most Read
Opinion
Zero trust remains an ongoing cybersecurity evolution
Achieving Zero Trust Data Resilience is not an overnight task but a journey requiring organizational alignment, continuous adaptation, and the...
- Zero Trust is a mindset, not a destination, requiring continuous evolution in cybersecurity practices.
- Cybersecurity is an arms race, with the need to adapt and evolve to remain ahead of online threats.
Opinion
Strengthen emotional security to thwart cyberattacks
While love, loneliness, and excitement are easily exploitable emotions, any factor impacting someone’s emotional state can make them a target....
- Social engineering exploits individual vulnerabilities, using human nature to gain the unauthorized access.
- Heightened emotions, such as those around Valentine’s Day, can make individuals more susceptible to cyberattacks.
Opinion
CFOs at forefront of ESG integration in businesses
"The CFO's role as an ESG guardian and promoter varies significantly across organizations. CFOs with limited ESG experience should deepen...
- Integration of ESG into finance sectors highlights the evolving expectations from CFOs.
- In-house research shows 89 percent of CFOs rate communication as the most vital skill.