SFD-financed Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania inaugurated
Dubai, UAE -- The Arkiz Agricultural Project in Mauritania, which has been financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)...Business Economy Geostrategy
UAE, Mauritius conclude CEPA talks, set to boost trade
The CEPA will cover trade in goods and services, investment facilitation amongst others. Once implemented, it will accelerate robust growth...Business Economy
Iran to expand agricultural ties with European Union
“Iran intends to take advantage of the EU experience to improve agricultural commerce in Iranian villages with emphasis on women’s...“Iran intends to take advantage of the EU experience to improve agricultural commerce in Iranian villages with emphasis on women’s employment,” an Iranian official said
Another priority for the ministry is designing and improving a national agricultural research plan, the official added
Oman revenues to rise 6% in 2022, with oil at $50
Oil and gas returns are set to comprise 68 percent of total revenues, against 32 percent for non-oil and gas...Preliminary indicators of Oman’s budget this year point to the possibility of achieving the lowest deficit since 2014, despite oil-price fluctuation
The budget deficit in 2022, estimated on the basis of $50 a barrel, would stand at RO1.5 billion ($3.9 billion)
Thousands protest in Istanbul against worsening economic situation
More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered at the call of the main unions to protest against the deterioration of the value...More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered at the call of the main unions to protest against the deterioration of the value of the Turkish lira and the rate of inflation
The inflation rate, according to official figures, reached 21.31 percent on an annual basis during November in Turkey
Jordan endorses tourism national strategy as pandemic abates
Nayef Fayez, tourism minister, said tourism in 2021 saw an improvement, especially in the second half of the year.Nayef Fayez, tourism minister, said tourism in 2021 saw an improvement, especially in the second half of the year
Fayez highlighted the strategy to attract more tourists to the country was developed in partnership with the private sector
Saudi Arabia eyes budget surplus after years of deficit
Total expenditures were budgeted at SAR955 billion, and revenues at SAR1.045 trillion, giving a surplus of SAR90 billion.The Saudi budget surplus projections come with higher global crude prices
This is despite worries about the coronavirus variant Omicron that is spreading worldwide
REVEALED: Billions of dollars missing from BDL
About US$7 billion is missing from Lebanese central bank’s 2020 balance sheet, data analysis by TRENDS suggests while highlighting weak...Some of the data sifted by TRENDS point to a US$7 billion scam involving the country’s central bank and the powerful individuals
The poor and weak policies of Banque du Liban (BDL) may have facilitated a “Ponzi” scheme involving Eurobonds
Iran to cut oil output, prioritize defense in new budget
The 2022-2023 budget allocates about $5 billion to boost "defense capacities and strategic research", up from $4 billion the previous...Iranian news agencies reported that the draft, presented Sunday, projects GDP growth of eight percent.
President Ebrahim Raisi submitted the draft to parliament for a vote expected by the end of 2021.
Reasons behind shortening UAE’s workweek
This week's TRENDS Explainer video tries to find the rationale behind curtailing the number of days in the UAE's workweek...The Gulf country is transitioning to a 4.5-day workweek. Now, weekends will consist of Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday
The move makes the UAE the first nation to formalize a workweek shorter than five days. It also brings the country more in line with Western schedules
UAE makes color-coded nutritional labeling of food products voluntary
The UAE has made nutritional labeling of pre-packed products as traffic light colors voluntary, after amending a requirement that would...From Jan, manufacturers were required to provide a color-coded system of nutritional data in all pre-packed food products.
An official says AED1.4 billion across the sector by removing the need to modify the labels currently in use or in storage.
Ruler establishes Dubai Council to deliver Emirate’s future vision
The council will focus especially on boosting the emirate’s leading-edge competitiveness and leadership regionally and internationally.The council is expected to formulate and develop Dubai’s future development agenda to support its global competitiveness
It will apparently also enhance the emirate’s attractiveness by launching major qualitative projects and transformational initiatives
