• COP28: Rethink, reboot and refocus

    COP28 is the world's last chance to correct its climate trajectory, said Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council, during the recent Dubai Future Forum 2023.

    Climate experts agree that a more pragmatic approach is needed for the energy transition. At COP21 in 2015, the world committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. To stay on target, science indicates that emissions must be halved by 2030. With just seven years remaining to achieve this goal, COP28 UAE presents a prime opportunity to rethink, reboot, and refocus the climate agenda. TRENDS explores how this global event can pave the way for a green and prosperous world. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Infra, innovation add to Dubai boom

    The emirate’s economy experienced robust growth in H1 2023, with a 3.2 percent increase, reaching a total value of US$60.72 billion, driven by sectors like transportation, trade, and real estate.

    Dubai's economic resilience shines brightly in 2023. The emirate has showcased a remarkable 3.2 percent growth in the first half of the year. Key sectors, including transportation, trade, and real estate, have been pivotal in this economic surge. The Dubai Economic Agenda D33's goals are not just on track but are being surpassed. TRENDS tries to find out how Dubai continues to solidify its position as a global economic powerhouse, blending innovation with sustainable growth strategies. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Saudi real estate remains resilient

    Saudi Arabia's booming real estate sector and ambitious projects offer investors lucrative, long-term, and sustainable development and growth opportunities.

    Saudi Arabia's real estate is flourishing, attracting global investors. Bolstered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom saw a 0.8 percent rise in its Real Estate Price Index in Q2 2023. Residential and commercial prices grew by 1.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. 2022's rental transactions, valued at $20.2 billion, nearly doubled from the prior year. With a goal of 70 percent homeownership by 2030, PIF's $1.3 billion investment in local construction is significant. TRENDS explores the reasons behind sector's resilience amidst global economic challenges. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Saudi Arabia: A rising tourism star

    Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, boosted by Vision 2030 and simplified visa procedures, is breaking records and increasing its contribution to the national GDP, while heralding a new era of travel.

    Since opening its doors to international tourists in 2019, Saudi Arabia's tourism market has seen rapid growth, rising to 13th place globally for international tourist arrivals in 2022, up from 25th in 2019. With over 94 million visits in 2022, the Kingdom is on track to reach its Vision 2030 target of 100 million annual visits. TRENDS team delves into policies and measures that are helping the sector prosper during tough times. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Oil wealth adds to luxury boom

    The GCC luxury market is thriving due to robust economic growth, a youthful population, a booming tourism sector, and the rapid integration of e-commerce and social media platforms, driving increased consumer engagement.

    Driven by robust oil production and exports, the GCC economies have achieved significant growth, leading to increased affluence. This has fueled a continuous rise in luxury product spending. Additionally, the region's population has experienced substantial growth, particularly among the younger demographic. TRENDS looks at how the rising number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in various sectors is driving demand for luxury goods and services in the region. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Recovery roadmap for GCC banks

    The GCC banking sector, recovering from the pandemic, is expected to see higher profits in 2023, driven by economic recovery, tightened monetary policy, and rate increases influenced by the US Federal Reserve.

    Although the region’s banking sector anticipates a positive year ahead, it must navigate potential obstacles such as economic slowdowns, heightened exposure to risky markets like Egypt and Turkey, and possible liquidity crunches. The scenario of diminishing local and global liquidity in certain areas is also a concern. TRENDS team examines all the factors and their impact on the sector, aiming to predict its future trajectory. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Inflation

    Increasing global inflation and high energy prices are impacting the region, mainly through higher prices of food, fuel and transportation. How do regional govts plan to handle it?

    The region, according to the GCC Statistical Center, is expected to face inflationary pressures from jumps in costs of imported raw materials and consumables. All Gulf countries are forecast to have inflation rates in the range of 1-3 percent in 2022, with Qatar hitting the highest rate. TRENDS finds out the impact of inflation on the regional economies. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE   
  • Ramadan

    Ramadan, a time for spiritual reflection, influences not only the daily routine of individuals, particularly 1.8bn Muslims across the world, but also the organisations and businesses. How does it impact economies of the region?

    The pandemic had forced majority of people to observe fast while staying indoor, which had directly and indirectly affected trade and commerce. The markets are now gradually moving back towards normalcy as the COVID-19 restrictions have eased. The Holy Month had been a fertile time for shoppers seeking savings. However, things are not the same due to COVID-19, which has been affecting the regional economies since 2020. TRENDS tries to review the impact of Ramadan on economies and growth of the region amidst the pandemic. Attempts have also been made to delve into how the region is coping with global supply constraints, surging demand, rising prices and trimmed margins for wholesalers and retailers. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Dubai goes the Monaco way

    Known as the ‘city of the future’, Dubai is a leading center for innovation and future-proofed business models. With its forward-thinking focus, the city has recently astonished the globe with the high-tech gadgetry it has put in place.

    Dubai boasts a thriving community of startup incubators and accelerators, as well as regulatory sandbox schemes for the development and testing of new tech business models. The city tops the list for foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer in startups, AI and robotics sectors. The emirate is constantly working to become the world’s most significant destination for foreign investment and high net worth individuals (HNWIs). TRENDS comes up with a few special reports that suggest that Dubai is another Monaco in the making in more ways than one. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Metaverse and blockchain in GCC

    The future of the internet is here. The Gulf region is bracing up fast for the metaverse and blockchain. The GCC governments are already devising policies to regulate the 3D space uniting virtuality with reality.

    Dubai Metaverse Strategy, announced by the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is just one example how the GCC is proactively working to adapt the latest technology. The new strategy not only aims at creating jobs, enhancing technology trends, opening up business opportunities, and but it is also expected to add $4 billion to Dubai’s economy by 2030. TRENDS takes an in-depth look at how the regional governments are reshaping their policies and programs to make the technological ecosystem more lucrative and useful for metaverse and blockchain. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • Digital banking

    Gulf banks are rapidly becoming digital savvy as countries have started moving from 4G to 5G connections and storage is moving from on premise to cloud, opening up newer possibilities for the sector.

    The digitization of banks -- intended to address the three Cs i.e. Customer, Convenience and Cost -- was not an an ‘option’ but a core necessity, particularly in the wake of the latest Covid-19 pandemic. In the GCC, when it comes to digitization not all banks are at the same stage of digital adoption. There’s a race to innovate, differentiate and outstand. While some of the banks are way ahead of the curve, few are still lagging. TRENDS takes a look at how the sector in the region is doing in terms of competition and collaborations to stay ahead in the new banking ecosystem. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE
  • GCC-Asia trade

    GCC trade with Asian economies is on the rise. COVID-19 inevitably reduced trade volumes, but the outlook for further growth remains strong. Trade between the two regions is likely to hit $480 billion by 2030.

    There are several factors at play when it comes to strengthening relations between Gulf countries and their Asian counterparts. Oil has been central to GCC-Asian trade and is expected to remain so over the next decade. Gulf economic diversification is also creating opportunities for Asian investment to flow into emerging sectors such as renewables, infrastructure and the digital economy. TRENDS looks at the business possibilities, beside oil and gas, in both regions on which the two sides may further capitalize to catalyze their bilateral trade relations. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE 
  • Women empowerment across GCC

    Women's empowerment continues to be a crucial concern across the world, including the Gulf region, as it plays a significant role in shaping the future of families at micro level and societies at the macro level.

    Across the GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, women's empowerment has been gaining momentum, challenging traditional norms and paving the way for progress. In recent years, both countries have taken significant strides to support gender equality and empower women in various fields, including education, employment, and politics. TRENDS delves into the efforts and achievements of the GCC in promoting women's empowerment, and explore the impact of these initiatives on women's lives and the broader society. CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE