GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
Business
AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that...
Business
Geostrategy
Cross-border fire between Hizbollah and Israel leaves 16 dead
Israeli rescue teams searching a damaged building in the border town of Kiryat Shmona "found a 25-year-old who was unconscious,...
- Hizbollah said it had fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel after its neighbour carried out a deadly strike on southern Lebanon
- The pro-Iranian movement said four of its fighters and two rescuers were killed, while its ally the Amal movement said it had lost two members
Business
ADIB closes $235m Sharia-compliant transaction to finance gas carriers
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has closed a sharia compliant syndicated transaction totaling AED865 million ($235...
- This is the second tranche of $370m syndication, which will be used to finance the construction of three Very Large Gas Carriers.
- The vessels will be dual-fuel efficient and enjoy operational, economic and environmental efficiencies through their Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) engines.
Arts & Culture
Abu Dhabi SeaWorld named world’s largest indoor marine-life theme park
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, has been recognized as the largest indoor marine life theme park...
- Covering a sprawling expanse of over 183,000 square meters and spanning five indoor levels, this facility stands as the inaugural marine life theme park in the region.
- The marine life theme park has been certified by Global Humane, the world's foremost certifier of animal welfare standards.
Business
Empower okays S115.7m dividend
The company has already disbursed dividends for H1 2023
- Empower, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, achieved record-high revenue of AED 3.035 billion for 2023.
- The company anticipates a minimum dividend payout of AED850 million annually during the first two fiscal years post-listing on the DFM
Business
Waha to pay cash dividend of 10 fils
The firm also okays 1.5 fils per share special dividend.
- Waha Capital reported a net profit of AED440 million in 2023, an increase of 28 percent from the previous year.
- Waha Investment, the company’s wholly owned asset management subsidiary, produced a net profit of AED639 million.
Geostrategy
Major US bridge collapses as cargo ship plows into pylon
Baltimore, United States -- A major bridge collapsed in Baltimore on Tuesday, blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors, after...
- Six people -- all members of a nighttime construction crew repairing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge -- were missing, officials said.
- The Port of Baltimore is the ninth-busiest major US port in terms of both foreign cargo handled and foreign cargo value is directly responsible for more than 15,000 jobs.
Business
Mubadala invests in Avanse
Avanse is education-focused non-banking financial company.
- Mubadala led this round of funding through its affiliate Alpha Investment Company with participation from Avendus.
- Avanse is the second largest NBFC in the education finance space in India, with AUM at around AED5.5 billion.
Business
Atlantis Dubai first Eastern Hemisphere Certified Autism Center resort
Dubai, UAE -- Atlantis Dubai becomes the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the Certified Autism Center...
- To meet IBCCES requirements, Atlantis Dubai ensured that over 80 percent of its colleagues received training in autism and sensory awareness.
- More than 90 percent of guest-facing colleagues across both resorts underwent training in Autism & Sensory Awareness (ASA).
Business
Arabian Travel Market’s sold-out Travel Tech area grows 56% YoY
Dubai, UAE -- More than 100 of the world’s leading travel technology companies will be exhibiting at Arabian Travel Market...
- 33 percent more exhibitors participating this year, thanks to unprecedented demand from companies looking to showcase their innovations in front of a global audience.
- The global travel technology market was valued at $9.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $21 billion by 2032.
Market Report
Geopolitical tensions boost oil, weigh on equities
Geopolitical tensions sent oil prices climbing and weighed on equities as investors also continued to worry about prospects for interest...
- Moscow has escalated its aerial attacks on Kyiv, targeting key infrastructure in the wake of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities.
- Russia is a key producer of oil, while the Gaza-Israel war has given rise to worries about Middle Eastern crude supplies.
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Move over Mercedes: Chinese cars grab Mexican market share
Mexico City, Mexico -- The growing popularity of Chinese sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks has shaken up Mexico's luxury car...
Business
Global stocks rise as Japan led Asia gains on a weaker yen
Seoul was an outlier in Asia with shares plunging as South Korea's political crisis deepened with a second impeachment vote....
Business
Improving healthcare in the intelligent age requires cultural change and collaboration
Leaders can utilize AI tools to streamline this challenging process by efficiently identifying individuals who are qualified matches to participate...
Most Read
Economy
Turkey lowers interest rate to 47.5% as it battles double-digit inflation
The bank's monetary policy committee decided to reduce the policy rate from 50 percent to 47.5 percent, with a statement...
- The central bank began to raise interest rates last year to battle soaring prices, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his opposition to orthodox monetary policy.
- The central bank now expects inflation to reach 44 percent at the end of 2024, up from a previous estimate in August of 38 percent.
Geostrategy
Pope calls for ‘arms to be silenced’ in Christmas appeal
Rome, Italy -- Pope Francis called Wednesday for "arms to be silenced" around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for...
- His voice breathless, the 88-year-old pontiff also appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the freeing of Israeli hostages held there by Hamas.
- Francis also extended his call for peace to Sudan, which has been ravaged by 20 months of brutal civil war and where millions are under the threat of famine.
Economy
Egypt to access $1.2 billion in funding after deal with IMF
Washington, United States -- The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that it has reached a deal with Egyptian authorities allowing the...
- The deal comes as both sides reached staff-level agreement on the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement, the fund said.
- The funding access is subject to executive board approval. The discussions culminating in the deal were held in person from November 6-20 and virtually afterwards.