• Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector set to reach $15.3 bn by 2030

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The logistics sector in Saudi Arabia is poised for remarkable expansion, with its market size projected to grow to SAR 57.4 billion ($15.3 billion) by 2030, according to latest data.  The surge is an outcome of the efforts made by the Ministry of Transport & Logistics...
  • Biden denounces Republican demands on debt ceiling as ‘unacceptable’

    President Joe Biden slammed Republican demands in negotiations to resolve the US debt ceiling standoff as "unacceptable" but said a solution can still be found before a disastrous default. Biden said he would talk directly with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during his Air Force One flight back to Washington.
  • Stock markets advance on US debt, elections

    Major stock markets advanced after President Joe Biden said he was "optimistic" about finding an agreement on averting a first-ever US default. Stock markets in Europe and Asia kicked the week off with gains amid growing hopes the Democrats and Republicans will reach a deal to avert a US government...
  • ADB operations cross $20bn

    Financial results were published in ADB’s Annual Report 2022.
  • Stock markets slip on auto woes, economy fears

    Global equities mostly slid on auto sector woes and economic fears about the prospect of more interest rate hikes aimed at cooling high inflation. Share prices of carmakers were hit hard after Tesla posted tumbling first-quarter profits as steep price cuts ate into margins at Elon Musk's electric auto company.
  • HSBC calls for vetoing split proposal

    HSBC's largest stakeholder Ping An says the split will improve business.
  • Dubai sees heavy influx of medical tourists in 2022, spending US$270m

    DUBAI, UAEI--Dubai saw remarkable growth in medical tourism in 2022 with 674,000 medical tourists spending $270 million in the year. According to a report issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), 39% percent of the medical tourists who came to Dubai were from Asian countries, 22% from Europe and the...
  • ‘US role in Middle East is stabilizing but diminishing’

    The world is facing a new environment where powerful global leaders and corporate leaders are creating uncertainty and risk, Eurasia Group chief Ian Bremmer tells TRENDS.
  • EU unveils proposals to counter US green subsidy, China competition

    The majority of the EU's response involves repackaging already existing funds, a stop-gap measure that has earned much criticism. German MEP Markus Ferber described the proposals on Wednesday as "old wine in new bottles" and "predictably disappointing".
  • Dubai is the new destination wedding choice for couples

    DUBAI, UAE- Dubai is fast emerging as the city of choice for destination weddings, with a growing number of event planners across the world recommending the city to couples as the perfect venue for their marriage. This is in line with the efforts aimed at boosting the emirate's stature as...
  • Adani group ‘exploring’ legal action against Hindenburg Research

    Mumbai, India - An Indian conglomerate owned by Asia's richest man Gautam Adani said Thursday it was exploring legal action against a US investment firm that accused it of "brazen" corporate fraud. Hindenburg Research this week alleged that Adani Group had used undisclosed related-party transactions and earnings manipulation to "maintain the...
  • Southeast Asia may re-take leading growth position

    Advanced economies are expected to slow down further this year, while ASEAN-6 economies are more resilient to the current macro scenario and should present robust, mid-single digit growth. Three factors underpin expectations for an above-average outperformance for ASEAN-6 ntions, it adds.
  • Most Asian markets rise on optimism

    Inflation slows and China reopens to the world, give a boost to markets.
  • Stocks mostly drop as traders track China, US rates

    Major stock markets mostly dropped as warnings that US interest rates would continue to rise and remain elevated offset growing optimism over China's economic reopening after Covid lockdowns. Equities enjoyed a strong start to the new year thanks largely to Beijing's decision to throw off the shackles of its strict...
  • IS claims deadly attack in Egypt Suez Canal city

    Three Egyptian policemen were killed in the attack, the first of its kind in nearly three years in mainland Egypt, which has largely been spared the deadly insurgency in the nearby Sinai peninsula.
  • Asian markets join Wall Street advance as recession worries subdue

    With dust settling after the Bank of Japan's surprise shift from ultra-loose monetary policy, investors embarked on a mini Santa rally ahead of the Christmas break, while the yen stabilised following its biggest jump in 24 years.
  • VOX Cinemas unveils debut slate of original Arabic films

    Diverse line-up of movies features local stories from new and established storytellers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and UAE.
  • HSBC sells Canada ops for $10bn

    Bank will use funds for core business, give cash to investors.
  • Saudi Crown Prince begins Asian tour amid row with Washington

    Mohammed bin Salman left Monday for the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. The official Saudi Press Agency said the trip would include "a number of Asian countries", though officials have not yet confirmed details of the itinerary.
  • Luxury group Richemont posts H1 2022-23 loss of US$786m

    Loss is basically due to the sale of one of its online platforms.
  • Global stocks move higher as US voters cast ballots

    Global stock markets mostly moved higher as Americans headed to the polls in midterm polls. The dollar got back some of its recent losses versus the euro, while Chinese demand expectations were keeping oil prices in check. Europe's main markets were showing gains some two hours from the close save...
  • Flydubai scales up flights

    It will run new flights to Europe and Asia in 2023.
  • Gulf nations secure future with Asian investments

    GCC, which has been investing heavily in Asia with an eye on protecting its petrochemicals and oil exports, is engaging in growth industries like fintech and logistics.
  • GCC trade with Asia grows, diversifies as the two regions warm up relations with frequent talks, visits

    Several factors are at play when it comes to strengthening relations between GCC and Asian countries. TRENDS looks at all of them and gives them a perspective.
  • Investment to tackle climate change falls in 2022, says UNCTAD

    Cross-border investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation is projected to decline in 2022 against the backdrop of a global investment downturn, according to a new report published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
  • GCC’s two biggest trade allies are Asians

    As the US is apparently pulling away from the Middle East, the cooperation between the Gulf and Asian regions is taking place in areas such as the new energy, artificial intelligence, and industrial diversification.
  • Gulf nations add momentum to Asianization of global economy

    Following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, many experts believe that Washington is shifting its attention and resources to the "priority theatre" of the Indo-Pacific. But as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the GCC countries are expected to play a more significant role in the ongoing Asianization of the global...
  • Visits, talks boost GCC-Asia trade ties

    Traditionally, GCC trade was focused on the West. However, now it is moving to the East. This eastward shift is not too surprising given the continuing travails of many developed Western economies. With the sluggish recovery from the financial crisis in the EU and the US, Gulf economies have had...
  • Asia, Middle East up diesel exports to Europe in October

    According to ship tracking data from Refinitiv, about 289,000 tonnes of gasoil will be loaded from South Korea and China to northwest Europe.
  • New technologies bolster GCC-Asia trade relations

    Beyond oil and gas, Gulf companies have made some strategic investments in sectors with strong potential for growth, including fintech, e-commerce and logistics. For example, in 2020, Saudi fintech startup Tamara established operations in Vietnam, and the UAE's B2B e-commerce provider Distichain set up a base in Singapore.
  • GCC pivot to Asia to aid Asianization of global economy

    The Gulf countries rely heavily on assistance from Asia, particularly China, to modernise their economies and diversify away from oil.
  • Asian chipmakers plunge after US unveils China export controls

    The announcement on Friday marked the latest volley in a long-running standoff between the two superpowers that has seen them face off over a range of issues including technology, trade, Hong Kong, Taiwan and human rights.
  • Air travel rebounds but still suffering from pandemic

    Air travel rose sharply in the northern hemisphere summer, traditionally the peak vacation travel season, but still remains considerably affected by the pandemic, industry data showed Thursday.
  • Asian, European markets surge on interest rate hopes

    Asian and European stocks rallied and the dollar dipped as weak US data sparked hopes the Federal Reserve could ease its interest-rate hiking plans. Frankfurt and Paris equities soared over three percent in value after similar stellar gains in Tokyo, while London won two percent. Central banks across the world...
  • ADB cuts ‘developing Asia’ growth forecast as China lockdowns bite

    China's growth forecast for 2022 was reduced to 3.3 percent from 5.0 percent, as Beijing pursues a zero-Covid strategy that has devastated the world's second-largest economy. Chinese officials are under pressure to curb even the smallest virus outbreaks swiftly, ahead of a key political meeting in October where President Xi...
  • Stocks mostly slide; pound hits 37-year dollar low

    Stock markets mostly slumped Friday, while the British pound tanked to a 37-year dollar low as weak UK retail sales stoked global recession fears. Sterling slid to $1.1351, the lowest level since 1985, on news that British retail sales tumbled by far more than forecast in August as shoppers faced...
  • Putin wants talks with Erdogan over Ukraine grain

    The Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin will discuss with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a deal allowing grain exports from Ukraine that Russia has criticized. The agreement between Russia and Ukraine, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, designated three ports for Kyiv to send grain supplies through a...
  • Stocks push higher, but yen and euro under pressure

    European and US stocks rose Tuesday, but gains were capped by economic slowdown fears and central bank efforts to contain surging inflation. Frankfurt, London and Paris equities carved out gains despite poor German data, a day after tumultuous trading as Russia curbed gas supplies to Europe.
  • Ancient Iranian rug tradition gets makeover as sales sink

    Changing tastes and increased competition from Asia have forced some in the trade to redesign and resize a tradition dating back more than 2,000 years. "A revolution is underway," said Ahad Azimzadeh, 65, who calls himself "the biggest exporter of Persian carpets in the world".
  • Asian, European markets mixed as investors assess Fed outlook

    A two-month rally from June lows appears to have run out of steam this week, with downward pressure coming after minutes from the Fed's most recent meeting showed it was determined to keep lifting borrowing costs until prices were brought under control.
  • AD Ports, Hutchison to explore investments in GCC, Asia, Africa

    Abu Dhabi Ports and Hutchison Ports have signed an MoU to identify joint investment and business opportunities related to feedering, logistics, and port activities across the GCC, Africa and Asia. The two organizations will also form a partnership to operate within Tanzania, where they will work closely together to explore...
  • Equities in Asia and Europe tank on recession fears

    Fears of a recession caused by sharp interest rate hikes aimed at fighting soaring inflation sent Asian and European markets tumbling Wednesday, tracking a sharp drop on Wall Street. The Conference Board's chief economist Dana Peterson warned the United States will likely see a recession in late 2022.
  • Britain offers £50.2m grant to Jordan to expand social net

    The grant is part of an £95 million aid package including £65 million for the social protection sector.
  • Hong Kong leads rally across Asian markets

    Shares rose more than three percent in Hong Kong on Monday morning, in line with a rally across Asian markets, with weak economic data easing concerns over central bank interest rate hikes. The gains came on the back of a rally in tech giants including Alibaba and JD.com.
  • Equities climb in Asia as calm returns after sharp sell-off

    Equities rose in most cities Tuesday in Asia as some stability returned to markets after last week's upheaval, but analysts warned of further pain for traders after central bank officials hinted at more interest rate hikes to reel in inflation. In commodities markets, oil extended gains as traders moved back...
  • Indian central bank raises interest rates to tame inflation

    India's central bank on Wednesday hiked rates for a second time in as many months, as Asia's third-largest economy reels from galloping inflation in the wake of the Ukraine war.
  • As Ukraine war rages, Biden team revives Asia focus

    President Joe Biden was clear from the moment he entered office -- China is the main international competitor and should be the top concern for US foreign policy. Then Russia invaded Ukraine. After months devoted to supporting Ukraine and punishing Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden is shifting focus back to...
  • Turkish president Erdogan inaugurates world’s longest suspension bridge

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday opened the world's longest suspension bridge over the Dardanelles strait in northwestern Turkey -- which cuts travel time between Asia and Europe to six minutes. The 2.5-billion-euro ($2.8-billion) "1915 Canakkale Bridge" built by a consortium of Turkish and South Korean companies has a...
  • COVID cases increasing once again, especially in parts of Asia: WHO

    After several weeks of declines, reported cases of COVID-19 are once again increasing globally, especially in parts of Asia, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus told journalists in Geneva. In the past week, the agency has seen an 8 per cent increase in detection of COVID-19 cases, with more than 11...
  • Art sales hit all-time high in 2021, continue rapid growth in Asia

    Art auctions saw a record year in 2021 with $17.1 billion (15.6 billion euros) in sales as the market continued its rapid growth in Asia and recovered from its coronavirus slump, experts Artprice said Monday. The figure marked a 60-percent increase on 2020, when sales were hit by the initial...