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...Business Economy Energy Global
Gross written premium rises by 12.7% in Q4 2023 to US$14bn, says CBUAE
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE insurance sector continued to grow in Q4 2023, as reflected by the increase in...Business Economy Tech & Media
Houthi attacks idle Suez Canal, deepen Egypt’s economic woes
The man-made waterway - which officially opened in 1869 - is crucial for Egypt, earning it $9.4 billion in transit...IMF figures show 35 percent less cargo was transported through the Suez Canal in the first week of 2024 compared with the same period last year
Analysts say the financial impact will become painful if Houthi attacks keep throttling traffic through the main maritime artery connecting Europe and Asia
UAE passport most powerful in MENA region, 11th in global index
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE passport has climbed two positions to secure the 11th spot in the 2024 Passport...The UAE has been the most improved nation on the Index over the past decade, adding an impressive 106 destinations to its visa-on-arrival list since 2014
The country's passport continues to lead the region, outpacing other Gulf nations, with Qatar at 53rd, Kuwait at 55th, Bahrain at 59th, Oman at 60th, and Saudi Arabia at 61st
World adds 50% more renewable energy capacity in 2023
The International Energy Agency said that the renewable energy capacity added to energy systems went up 50 percent in 2023,...The IEA said the largest growth took place in China, with wind power additions rising by 66%
Europe, the US and Brazil also hit all-time highs in renewable energy capacity
US regulators authorize first bitcoin funds on public markets
The authorization of the ETFs - which are comparable to stocks or mutual funds as far as accessibility to everyday...Regulators approved proposals for 11 ETFs to list on leading exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a 22-page order
Exchange-traded funds are traded on public markets, granting investors exposure to price movements in asset prices without taking direct ownership of the underlying assets
Saudi, UAE report highest levels of gross debt
Among the Arab countries, Egypt recorded the highest debt-to-GDP ratio of 92.7 percent while US and China are on an...Developing countries spent a record $443.5 billion to service their external public and publicly guaranteed debt in 2022, the World Bank said recently.
The increase in costs shifted scarce resources away from critical needs such as health, education, and the environment.
Five new residency programs to attract talent to Saudi Arabia
These residency products offer several benefits, including the ability to conduct business and invest in Saudi Arabia, own real estate,...Special Talent Residency: is focused on attracting healthcare professionals, scientists, and researchers with exceptional expertise and experience.
Entrepreneur Residency is geared towards aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators eager to launch and grow their startups in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia raises mineral resources estimates to $2.5 trillion
The Kingdom raised its mineral resources estimates from $1.3 trillion in 2016 on the exploration of nearly 30 percent of...The estimates were revised for phosphate, gold and rare earths. Moreover, the Kingdom’s reserves potential grew by 90 percent, the minister said.
Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in terms of mineral wealth, the Kingdom is the world's fourth-largest importer of minerals.
WEF 2024 aims to bridge trust gaps amid global discord
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 is set to gather over 2,800 global leaders in Davos-Klosters,...The WEF 2024 entails sessions addressing global security, economic growth, climate action, technological disruption, and health and well-being
The forum will emphasize public-private collaboration to translate ideas into actionable solutions, acting as an accelerator for cooperation among leaders and initiatives
Arab region faces soaring youth unemployment crisis
The region, with the world's highest youth unemployment rate, requires the creation of 33.3 million jobs by 2030 to accommodate...The region, with the world's highest youth unemployment rate, requires the creation of 33.3 million jobs by 2030 to accommodate the large number of candidates.
Arab countries are required to transform their education systems to align with the evolving labor market and create job opportunities for youth in the region.
UAE economy likely to grow by 3.8 percent in 2025, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The World Bank expected the UAE's real GDP to grow by 3.4 percent in 2023, rising to...The World Bank forecast the growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to rise to 3.6 percent in 2024 and 3.8 percent in 2025.
The report said that the growth rate in the Middle East and North Africa region slowed down sharply to 1.9 percent in 2023.