World Economic Forum unveils framework highlighting transformative technology convergences across key industries
Agentic AI, spatial intelligence and robotic advancements in manipulation and adaptive control are enabling autonomous systems to make intelligent decisions...Technology
ADNOC expands its STEM Education Programme to empower UAE students in AI
Abu Dhabi, UAE – ADNOC has expanded its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programme to empower UAE students...Technology Economy
Saudi Arabia offers 50% discount on accumulated traffic fines before April 18
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced a significant measure aimed at reducing the burden of...The objective is to incentivize offenders to settle their fines within a six-month window from the commencement of the initiative
Payment options include either clearing all fines at once or settling each fine individually, provided there are no additional safety-related violations
Exports key target of GCC hydrogen strategies
Clean hydrogen could be bigger than the oil and gas economy for the region, says Jo Bamford, chairman of HYCAP,...Bamford told TRENDS that the region is blessed with ample solar and wind resources needed for generating the lowest-cost electricity that is eventually needed to produce hydrogen.
The emergence of the hydrogen industry in GCC nations promises significant economic opportunities, with projections suggesting a market worth $100 billion by 2030.
Saudi Arabia offers 6 mining opportunities for local, international investors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Wednesday announced six new mining opportunities for...The opportunities are part of the fifth round of mining competitions for exploration licenses and encompass gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver ores
Investment opportunities for exploration licenses include Al-Halahila site in the Najran region, estimated to be more than 34 square kilometers in size
Gold hits fresh record above $2,300 as Fed hints at easing monetary policy
On Thursday, bullion touched $2,304.96 per ounce, according to Bloomberg News, after Fed boss Jerome Powell said it would likely...Gold has chalked up multiple records over recent weeks as the US Federal Reserve indicates it is about to begin easing monetary policy which makes it more attractive to investors
Its popularity as a safe haven in times of turmoil has also provided plenty of support, with traders fretting over the Middle East crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine
Abu Dhabi targets 39.3 million visitors by 2030
Emirate's new tourism strategy aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP from $13.34 billion in 2023 to $24 billion...The Strategy will generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand
It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to approximately 7.2 million in 2030
Russia becomes world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer, says PM
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country became the world’s fourth-biggest LNG producer last year.The Russian Prime...Mikhail Mishustin said that the volume of LNG exports rose almost three-fold in six years.
In January - February 2024, natural gas production in Russia increased by 11.3 percent year-on-year.
World Bank estimates damage to Gaza infrastructure at $18.5bn
The World Bank said in its interim damage assessment, this is equivalent to 97 percent of the combined economic output...The bank said the rate of damage appears to be leveling off as few assets remain intact
The report also found that more than half of Gaza's population were on the brink of famine
GCC tourism growth skyrockets as diversification drive gains momentum post-Covid
GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable...Four years on, the GCC has not just recovered faster than was expected, but it has also led the global tourism recovery with a 122% surge in arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019
The region has assiduously worked for it with its two major economies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, embarking on economic diversification with tourism one of the thrust areas
SAMA: E-payments share reached 70% of total payments in 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced on Monday that the share of retail consumer electronic payments...The achievement is attributed to the significant growth of payments processed through national payment systems in 2023
The evolving cost-effective and reliable e-payment system helps enhance transaction efficiency, and support financial stability
Middle East economy firm despite challenges
Non-oil growth to stay robust, bolstered by a strong non-oil GDP growth in the region's two biggest economies, UAE and...The disruption to Red Sea trade has revived discussions around the need for alternative trade corridors
There is a growing momentum around green financing following the success of COP28 and the introduction of green finance frameworks
