Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Paris, France - Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence (AI),...Economy
Cybersecurity in 2024: From talent shortages to resilience against emerging tech risks
In 2024, cybersecurity remained central, addressing skill gaps and the impact of generative AI. A Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework offered...Business Economy Uncategorized
2024 set to see new era of digital transformation
The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable...The GCC region is on the brink of a major tech revolution, led by advancements in AI, fintech, and sustainable technology, UAE-based tech expert Dua Al Toobi tells TRENDS.
Innovations are set to reshape the Gulf's economic and social landscape in 2024, marking a pivotal shift towards a knowledge-based economy, adds Al Toobi.
Eurozone inflation rises to 2.9% in Dec mainly due to energy costs
The data supports comments by European Central Bank (ECB) chief Christine Lagarde, who has warned that Europe should remain on...Energy prices in the eurozone fell in December, by 6.7 percent on an annual measure, but that was less than the 11.5 percent drop in November
Among the 20 countries that use the euro, Belgium and Italy had the lowest inflation rate, reaching 0.5 percent in December
FAO says global food prices fell 13.7 percent in 2023
World food prices fell in 2023, with considerable declines for grains and oils as supply concerns eased, the UN's Food...Overall, world food commodity prices fell 13.7 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, Rome-based FAO said.
The vegetable oil price index posted the biggest fall last year, dropping 32.7 percent, thanks to improved supplies and reduced use for biofuel production.
Saudi insurance sector targets 25m beneficiaries by 2030
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia saw an 18% surge in health insurance beneficiaries in 2022, reaching a total of...The expansion in the sector is largely propelled by the introduction of the mandatory health insurance for private sector workers and their dependents
Saudi Arabia saw an 18% surge in health insurance beneficiaries in 2022, reaching a total of 11.5 million individuals by year-end
‘Major shifts are reshaping the Arab world’s future’
"Most of the global trends are positive if analyzed in terms of economic value. Countries have developed and lifted millions...Al Gergawi emphasizes the pivotal role of Gulf countries in shaping global agendas, from environmental discussions at COP28 to major events like the World Cup.
He underlines the criticality of understanding the new global changes, including tech advancements, and the balance between positive global trends and challenges.
Penguin, SkyBlue ink MoU
The aim is to redefine outdoor media advertising in Abu Dhabi.Penguin and SkyBlue will collaborate on key advertising locations, with this being the Malaysian firm’s first move into the Abu Dhabi market.
This follows an agreement between the Malaysian outdoor advertising company with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.
Dubai Duty Free achieves all-time record sales of over US$2.16bn in 2023
DUBAI, UAE - The New Year began on a high note for Dubai Duty Free with the announcement of an...December 2023 finished for Dubai Duty Free with record monthly sales of US$221 million, an 8.37 percent increase compared to 2022.
It's 40th anniversary celebrations offered a 25 percent discount on December 20 which led to a shopping spree of $14.8 million in 24 hours.
Private sector funding key to climate transition: World Bank
The World Bank raised its target for climate-related projects from 35% of its annual financing to 45%. Given that the...On Wednesday, Banga repeated a previous pledge to "fix the plumbing" of World Bank
World Bank estimated that developing countries will need an average of $2.4trn each year
Oil prices jump, stocks slump after Iran blasts
"Heightened tensions in the Middle East following a bomb blast at a ceremony honouring a slain general in Iran have...Oil prices spiked more than three percent after twin bomb blasts ripped through a crowd commemorating Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani
Equities were also under pressure as investors worried that the stocks rally in the final months of 2023, on hopes of interest rate cuts in 2024, may have gone too far
Jordan’s public debt rises to $46.1bn by Oct 2023 end: Ministry
Dubai, UAE -- Jordan's public debt till the end of October 2023 has risen to $46.1 billion, 89.6 percent of...The Ministry of Finance said the government had borrowed $3.8 billion in the first ten months of 2023.
In Dec, Jordan approved the 2024 budget with a deficit of $1.6 billion, expecting the country's public debt this year would make up 88.3 percent of the GDP.
