AI to become the new internet: Kamel Al-Tawil on MENA’s tech evolution
Historically, the region was a key player in commerce through the Silk Road, and today, it has the potential to...
Interview
Iran ready to negotiate with US but not under ‘maximum pressure’: minister
In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its...
Geostrategy
Business
Saudi Arabia retains first rank in MENA Venture Capital funding in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of Venture Capital (VC) funding in...
- The Kingdom secured the highest, 40 percent, share of total VC funding in the MENA region in 2024.
- The report also revealed that Saudi Arabia set a new record with 178 VC deals in the same year.
Business
ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
The company will acquire the remaining stake in mid-2027.
- Navig8 is an international shipping pool operator and commercial management company with a modern-owned fleet of 32 tankers and a presence in 15 cities across five continents.
- This value-accretive acquisition is expected to boost ADNOC L&S’ earnings per share by at least 20 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.
Business
DAE to acquire Nordic Aviation Capital
The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
- As of September 2024, NAC’s fleet comprised of 252 owned and committed assets on lease to approximately 60 airline customers in approximately 40 countries.
- On a pro forma basis, DAE Capital’s fleet will comprise of approximately 750 owned, managed and committed aircraft.
Business
PIF completes $7 billion inaugural murabaha credit facility
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday announced its first murabaha credit facility for the...
- The financing structure is supported by a diverse syndicate of 20 international and regional financial institutions, PIF said in a statement.
- PIF has four main sources of funding: capital injections from government, government asset transfers, retained earnings from investments, and loans and debt instruments.
Business
UAE aviation sector’s 2024 milestone: 1 million air traffic movements
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) achieved a milestone in the aviation industry as it surpassed 1...
- On 22nd December 2024, the one-millionth annual air traffic movement was recorded with the arrival of Emirates Flight305 from Shanghai.
- UAE recorded over 20 percent growth in air traffic over the past two years, among the highest globally.
Business
Saudi PMI falls to 58.4 in Dec as non-oil private sector improves
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), formerly S&P Global Saudi Arabia...
- The index has remained above the neutral level (50.0 points) since September 2020.
- Business conditions experienced a marked improvement, propelled by a substantial surge in new orders.
Business
Desert truffles: Saudi Arabia’s buried treasure
The 10-day Qassim Truffle Festival, currently in its fourth year, features 18 booths showcasing truffles, a dedicated auction area and...
- Fertile soil, untouched land, access to fresh water, a suitable climate, and the presence of the Helianthemum plant contribute to growth of desert truffles.
- The Qassim Truffle Festival, currently in its fourth year, is a testament to the region's truffle production.
Geostrategy
Israeli invasion destroys 90% of Gaza livestock, poultry farms
Gaza, Palestinian Territories - The Israeli forces have decimated 90 percent of 2,500 poultry and cattle farms in Gaza during...
- A million turkeys distributed across 150 farms, were culled, in addition to 80 percent of the total domestic poultry population, estimated to be 300,000 birds.
- Israeli forces destroyed 90 percent of the 100 cattle farms, which were breeding 50,000 calves annually, and culled 2,200 cows in 400 farms.
Business
Renowned designer Cucinelli stresses sustainability at Saudi event
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Renowned luxury fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli shared his insights on building a global brand and the...
- Brunello Cucinelli, who founded his luxury fashion brand in 1978 in Italy, is recognized for creating meticulously crafted pieces from the finest cashmere.
- He emphasized the need to blend traditional techniques with modern design to create unique and authentic pieces.
Business
Emirates’ first A350 takes flight
The airline operated the inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh.
- The aircraft, featuring Emirates' latest cabin products, is the first of 65 A350s joining the airline's fleet over the coming years.
- Emirates has configured its A350 to provide three cabin classes, accommodating 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seat.
AI to become the new internet: Kamel Al-Tawil on MENA’s tech evolution
Historically, the region was a key player in commerce through the Silk Road, and today, it has the potential to...
Interview
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SIB’s 2024 profit $272m
Business
WEF’s risks report 2025: Rising geopolitical tensions, environmental threats, disinformation dominate future threats
A survey of over 900 experts reveals state-based armed conflict as the most pressing global risk for 2025, driven by...
Geostrategy
Global economy set to face significant challenges in 2025: WEF survey
Geneva, Switzerland – The global economy is set to face significant challenges in 2025, with 56 percent of chief economists...
Economy
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Business
PIF acquires stake in Saudi Re
The acquisition was made by way of a capital increase.
- PIF said in a statement that the capital investment aims to enhance Saudi Re’s growth potential by adding to its financial capacity and further strengthening its credit rating.
- In the first nine months of 2024, Saudi Re's total written premiums reached SAR 1.94 billion ($520 million).
Business
Non-institutional foreign ownership in Tadawul-listed firms up slightly
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Non-institutional foreign investors increased their stake in Tadawul-listed equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, from 9.70 percent to...
- The ownership increased from 9.70 percent to 9.72 percent, equivalent to SAR 334.55 billion, during the week ending January 9.
- GCC investors’ ownership in Saudi equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, declined from 2.27 percent to 2.18 percent of the total market capitalization.
Geostrategy
Cyber landscape complexity deepens cyber inequity, gap between organizations: WEF report
The complexity arises from the rapid growth of emerging technologies, prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolution of threats, says WEF's...
- The complexity arises from the rapid growth of emerging technologies, prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolution of threats.
- It also arises from regulatory challenges, vulnerabilities in supply chain interdependencies and the growing cyber skills gap, the report said.