Al Ansari to pay $81m dividend
This brings the total amount of dividend for 2023 to $162m.Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder to lead AI unit
Of all the tech giants, Microsoft has moved the fastest into adopting generative AI, integrating its powers into a whole range of products, most notably through its Copilot chatbot. With the hire, Microsoft is expanding its already leading position in the AI frenzy, accumulating investments and partnerships well beyond its deal...Nearly 71% firms plan to expand workforce in ADGM in 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE: A total of 70.81 percent of companies anticipate expanding their workforce in Abu Dhabi Global Market during 2024, with 29.93 percent expecting significant increases and 40.88 percent planning moderate growth in staffing, a study said. According to the study by ADGM, the international financial center (IFC) of...Google hit by US$272m fine in France
It breached an agreement on terms for paying media firms.GCC and EU hold talks to boost economic, political ties
Brussels, Belgium-- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union have held talks in Brussels in order to enhance relations between the two blocs. In this connection, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), today held a discussion session with members of the European Union (EU)...ADX partners with Eureeca
The collaboration will bolster accessibility to ADX IPOs.Federal Reserve begins two-day talk on interest rates
Washington, United States - The US Federal Reserve began two days of discussions on Tuesday at which policymakers are expected to hold firm on interest rates, and continue discussions about when to start cutting them. The meeting got under way in Washington at 9am local time (1300 GMT) on Tuesday, the...S.Africa says Israel war undermining top UN court
South Africa's top diplomat accused Israel of setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court, as she again alleged a campaign of starvation in Gaza. South Africa has hauled Israel before the International Court of Justice to allege genocide in the war triggered by the October 7...Masdar to buy stake in Terra-Gen
Masdar to buy 50 percent stake in Terra-Gen from ECP.AstraZeneca to buy Fusion
The $2.4bn deal is its latest expansion into cancer treatments.ACWA Power refinances Al Dur debt
ACWA was the sole financial advisor to Al Dur Phase II IWPP project company.UAE investments abroad reach US$2.5trn in beginning of 2024, says UAEIIC
ABU DHABI, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has solidified its position as a leading regional and global player in foreign direct investment, said Jamal Bin Saif Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the UAE International Investors Council (UAEIIC). He estimates the total value of Emirati investments abroad, encompassing both government and...UAE first: Islamic banking assets by 2023 end cross $190bn mark
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The assets of Islamic banks operating in the UAE exceeded AED 700 billion ($190 billion) for the first time in history at the end of 2023, according to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The statistics showed that the assets of...Digital surge: UAE’s e-commerce eyes $17bn milestone
Widespread internet and smartphone use is the key driver of online shopping growth, with nearly two-thirds of the UAE's population expected to engage in online shopping by 2024.Nvidia unveils ‘superchips’
The company also announced other AI developments.China regulator to ban Evergrande chair from securities market for life
BEIJING, CHINA – Chinese regulators will ban the chairman of property giant Evergrande from the securities market for life on grounds of financial fraud, a subsidiary of the company said on Monday. Heavily indebted Evergrande has become a potent symbol of the years-long crisis in China's property market, a crucial pillar...Dubai approves rise in energy, water efficiency programs
DUBAI, UAE – Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum chaired the 81st meeting of DSCE, which was held virtually. The Council reviewed updates of the demand side management strategy for 2030 and 2050, which set well-studied goals to reduce water and electricity...Arabian Drilling to pay $60m dividend
The firm said the total dividend for 2023 will be S120 million.Asian stocks rise on US gains ahead of key China policy meeting
Hong Kong, China - Asian markets mostly rose Monday following US gains and ahead of a Chinese legislative session where Beijing's annual growth target and other key policies will be announced. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 40,000 mark for the first time, with analysts predicting it could advance even...Sovcomflot 2023 net profit $900m
In 2023, the firm demonstrated strong financial results.$37.30 million Saadiyat Island penthouse sets new Abu Dhabi record
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- A three-bedroom penthouse at Nobu Residences on Saadiyat Island was sold for a record AED137 million ($37.30 million) by real estate developer Aldar. Aldar said the sale represents the highest price per square meter achieved in the emirate, at more than AED96,000 per sqm. The record...EITC to offer fintech services
The company has been licensed for fintech services by the CBUAE.Shipping service connecting India, South East Asia with Saudi Arabia comes up
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – VASI Shipping Pte Ltd has introduced a new shipping service IMS at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, connecting the Kingdom to Southeast Asia and India, Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced. This service aims to enhance its strategic partnerships with major international shipping lines, support the maritime...ADNOC and SEFE sign agreement
ADNOC will supply 1 million mtpa of LNG to SEFE Singapore.50% of firms attracted to Dubai by DIC in 2023 Asian and Australian
Dubai, UAE -- Nearly 50 percent of the Multinational Corporations (MNCs) that opened businesses in Dubai during 2023 are based in Asia and Australia, according to the Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers. The Chamber said in a statement that growing...Bahrain and France sign MoU to boost tourism education
Lyon, France--Vatel Hotel and Tourism Business School Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EKLYA School of Business in France to launch a student exchange programme between Bahrain and France aimed at bolstering academic and cultural ties between the two countries. This initiative affirms the joint commitment to strengthen...UAE banking sector looks poised for continued growth in 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE banking sector continued its growth momentum last year and is poised for further growth and recovery in 2024, thanks to the success of the Central Bank of the UAE's (CBUAE) strategies and policies in setting the necessary frameworks and regulations to deliver sustainable growth for the...Iran signs deals worth US$13bn to boost oil production
The oil ministry and Iranian businesses signed deals worth $13 billion to increase daily oil production in six major fields. The deals have been labelled as Iran's "biggest oil contracts in the past decade" that are aimed to add 350,000 barrels per day to the Islamic republic's daily production.Iran signs big contracts to increase oil production
Iran sealed contracts worth billions of dollars with domestic companies to boost its oil production in the face of Western sanctions. In a ceremony broadcast on state TV, the oil ministry and Iranian businesses signed deals worth $13 billion to increase daily oil production in six major fields.ROSHN and Saudi cybersecurity organization partner on tech advancement
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- ROSHN Group, the PIF-owned giga-project and real estate developer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones during LEAP, the Riyadh-based annual technology event, that aims to further national capabilities in the areas of cybersecurity, programming, and drone...Gemini’s inaccurate AI racial images warn of tech titans’ power
AUSTIN, US – For people at the trend-setting tech festival here, the scandal that erupted after Google's Gemini chatbot cranked out images of Black and Asian Nazi soldiers was seen as a warning about the power artificial intelligence can give tech titans. Google CEO Sundar Pichai last month slammed as "completely...SAIC net profit $39 million
The company's Board announces a dividend of $11.79 million.Nakheel, Meydan join Dubai Holding
The Board of Directors of both Nakheel and Meydan will be abolished.Saudi Arabia takes part in global mineral and mining meet in Canada
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – A delegation comprising several entities from the Kingdom’s industry and mineral resources' system participated in PDAC 2024, Toronto, Canada under the umbrella of "Invest Saudi". The Saudi delegation was represented at the World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention by the CEO of the Saudi Geological...ExxonMobil makes new oil discovery
The oil and gas strike is the first of 2024.Air Arabia shareholders approve 20% dividend for FY2023
SHARJAH, UAE – Air Arabia shareholders approved the distribution of a 20 percent cash dividend for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (FY2023), at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The dividend, which is equivalent to 20 fils per share, underscores another year of record financial performance for the...UAE launches digital public consultation on tax implementation
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- UAE's Ministry of Finance (MoF) Friday launched digital public consultation to gather feedback from relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) or Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar Two) (GloBE Rules) as well as other tax matters in the UAE. The consultation...Du, Samsung ink agreement
The two companies have signed a three-year partnership.Non-oil trade between UAE and US hits $31.4 billion in 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Non-oil trade between the UAE and the United States reached $31.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue growing at the same pace in 2024, said Danny E. Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council. Sebright added, in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM),...Non-oil sectors contribute 50% to Saudi Arabia’s real GDP in 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Non-oil activities in the Kingdom have achieved a historic milestone, reaching a 50 percent share of the country's real GDP in 2023 – the highest level on record, according to an analysis of the General Authority for Statistics data by the Ministry of Economy and Planning....Eyes on Bank of Japan as unions announce big wage hikes
Tokyo, Japan -- Japan's largest trade union said Friday it had secured the highest wage hikes since 1991 in preliminary data that stokes speculation the central bank will finally shift away from its outlier ultra-loose monetary policy. The Rengo union said that in spring wage talks so far, its members had...Vodafone sells Italian unit to Swisscom
British telecoms giant sold the business for US$8.7 billion.Nissan, Honda in tie-up for EVs
The alliance will take on China's dominant EV makers.Dubai receives 1.77m international tourists in January this year
Dubai, UAE--Dubai welcomed 1.77 million international tourists in January 2024, an increase of 21% compared to 1.47 million visitors in the same period of 2023. According to the Dubai Tourism Performance Report for January issued by the Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Western Europe ranked first in terms of...Sweden’s gaming group Embracer divests Russian assets
Stockholm, Sweden - Swedish gaming group Embracer, which owns the Borderlands franchise and the Tomb Raider license, announced on Thursday that it was ceasing all Russian operations through the sale of subsidiary Saber Interactive. Beacon Interactive, which is controlled by Saber Interactive co-founder Matthew Karch, will pay $247 million for the...Saudi inflation rises to 1.8% in February
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s inflation accelerated to 1.8 percent in February compared to January 2024, according to data by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The cost-of-living index for February rose to 110.64 points, according to the base year 2018, from 108.67 points in the same month a year earlier. Inflation...Former US treasury secretary says preparing buyout of TikTok
Washington, US - Former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday said he is putting together a team of investors to buy TikTok from its Chinese owners. On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill that would force TikTok to divest from its parent company or face a...Ajman records real estate transactions worth US$195m in February
AJMAN, UAE – Director-General of Ajman’s Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation Eng. Omar bin Omair Al Muhairi said that there were 129 real estate valuation transactions in the emirate in February, valued at around US$195 million (AED718 million). He highlighted the ongoing momentum in Ajman's real estate market,...AstraZeneca to buy Amolyt for $1bn
It will pay $800 million upfront for the Lyon-based company.Brighter US economic outlook fuels global oil demand growth forecast
Rising fuel needs of ships rerouted away from the Red Sea also to increase demand, the International Energy Agency said. Commercial ships have been taking longer and costlier journeys around the southern tip of Africa to avoid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.




















































