- London, United Kingdom -- Stablecoins -- a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets -- are gaining traction, with the US Senate set to vote Tuesday on a bill to regulate such digital tokens. But as stablecoins move closer to the financial mainstream, experts warn that weak regulation could leave...
Climate-related health emergencies on the rise in Africa: WHO
Floods, water, and vector-borne diseases have been worsening the health crises in Africa, said WHO's regional director for Africa.Ukraine war, energy crisis force UK into fossil fuels rethink
Boris Johnson's government will consult with local communities to host onshore wind farms in return for "guaranteed lower energy bills," after the UN warned that investing in fossil fuels would be equated with 'moral and economic madness'.Yemen president transfers power to leadership council
In a major shake-up in the coalition battling Houthi rebels, Yemen's president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has formed a new council to lead the war-wracked country.Saudi Arabia hosts annual joint meetings of Arab financial institutions
The meetings are taking place under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Saudi ruler King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.Employee wellbeing key to unlock productivity
As business leaders are armed with the knowledge that hybrid working can form a part of the future, previously reluctant management will seek tools to ensure they can continue coordinating their teams effectively in order to boost productivity by taking care of employees' wellbeing.Foreign Direct Investment into UAE reaches $20.7 billion in 2021
UAE received $20.7 billion in Foreign Direct Investment in 2021, recording a 3.9 percent growth over 2020. The country’s FDI balance now stands at AED 630 billion ($171.6 billion) by the end of 2021, a 13.7 percent growth over 2020. Over the past ten years, FDI inflows into the country...UAE launches database to monitor energy, water consumption
Announced in July 2021, the national program aims to boost efficiency by 40 percent across the three most energy-consuming sectors in the UAEAbu Dhabi non-oil GDP grows by 4.1 percent in 2021: Statistics Centre
Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP at constant prices grew by 4.1 percent in 2021, according to Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi. The emirate’s GDP at constant prices grew by 1.9 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year, SCAD said, adding both oil and non-oil sectors witnessed growth. In 2020, a significant decline...KSA elected member of International Anti-Corruption Academy
The selection followed the Kingdom's admission to the Academy’s membership as one of the founding members of the international organization.US to ban “all new investments” in Russia: Report
The United States, in coordination with the G7 and European Union, will ban "all" new investments in Russia on Wednesday in its latest round of sanctions, a source said. The joint measures, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and alleged carrying out of atrocities, "will include a ban on...UAE free zones set to gain from corporate tax relief
Around 40 free zones in the UAE are likely to attract more investors and FDI after they were declared exempt from the upcoming corporate tax regime, experts tell TRENDS.World’s fossil fuel assets risk evaporating in climate fight
Oil platforms, pipelines, coal power plants and other fossil fuel assets could lose trillions of dollars in the battle against climate change in the coming decades, experts say. The warning was issued in a 3,000-page report by UN experts who said fossil fuel assets must be retired and replaced with...Saudi Finance Ministry forecasts kingdom’s GDP to grow by 7.4%
The Saudi Finance Ministry has forecast the kingdom's real gross domestic product to grow by 7.4 percent.Qatar Development Bank launches program for micro-enterprises
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced the launch of a version of the "Al Dhameen" program for micro-enterprises, for the first time in the country. Al Dhameen program for micro-enterprises is characterized by a profit rate and distinct conditions. This contains guaranteeing 100 percent of the value of the financing, and...Lebanon central bank not bankrupt, says governor
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami claimed on Monday that the country and its central bank had gone bankrupt. The claims seemed to be in line with exclusive reporting from TRENDS in December that said around $7 billion was missing from BDL’s books.Islamic banking tipped to grow in GCC
Of recent, Islamic banking has been getting quite a boost from governments and financial institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council.$2.4m grant for West Bank project to improve livelihoods
A grant of $2.4 million from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) will help increase economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of Palestinians in fragile communities along the Palestinian Heritage Trail across the West Bank, according to a World Bank press release. The World Bank project, Palestinian media reports said,...Saudi non-oil private sector posts fastest growth in four years
The non-oil private sector of Saudi Arabia has recorded more growth in March than it did in more than four years, driven by improvements in purchasing and supply deliver times.Oman to generate 25 GW of solar, wind energy
The country aims to produce 25 gigawatts (GW) of renewable solar and wind energy, which will be used to produce over 1.5 million tons of carbon-free hydrogen per year.Saudi Arabia launches platform with Homeland of Dates tag
The Saudidates platform is expected to help the center promote digital transformation and digitize markets and the entire sectors.Saudi Arabia to import 625,000 tons of wheat later this year
The wheat is being procured from Europe, North and South America, and Australia, and will arrive in Saudi Arabia from September to November this year.Iran says oil production back to pre-sanctions level
Iran's oil production capacity has returned to the same level as prior to the reimposition of sanctions in 2018, when the US unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal, a top official said. The country is currently engaged in negotiations to restore the 2015 nuclear deal that would grant it much-needed...Saudi Arabia, UAE woo major chunk of FDI in GCC
As foreign investors seek to take advantage of investment opportunities in the region, KSA and UAE get billions of dollars injected into their economies.DFF to support tech startups in luxury retail challenge
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced the launch of a new, first-of-its-kind initiative in the region to encourage and support tech start-ups to participate in a special challenge. The challenge is to utilize the latest technologies and innovations and contribute to the development of a quality and innovative experience for...Lebanon, its central bank have gone bankrupt, says Deputy PM
In the first official admission, Saadeh al-Shami said the losses have occurred and the government will try to reduce losses for the people. He said the losses will be distributed among the state, the Banque du Liban, banks and depositors.UAE announces $2m prize for startups in agritech innovation
The UAE has announced a prize of up to $2 million for startups that can offer technology innovations to transform traditional agricultural practices efficiently and sustainably. The FoodTech Challenge is organized by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen, an Abu Dhabi entity that partners with leading...Russia invasion of Ukraine pushes Turkey inflation to record 61.1%
Inflation was up from 54.4% in February to 61.14% in March.76.5% of firms in Dubai recorded growth during Expo 2020: Report
Dubai Chamber of Commerce facilitated 1,500 bilateral business meetings between UAE investors and their global counterparts, and received 1,746 visiting delegations from over 60 countries during the mega event, which were joined by 3,350 government and business leaders. Seven new economic and professional bodies were licensed by the Dubai Association...UAQ signs agreements to support blue economy strategy
The emirate of Umm Al Quwain has signed a series of agreements to enhance cooperation and partnership to achieve its Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy.Nearly 100 die in new Mediterranean boat tragedy: UN, MSF
Prior to the latest tragedy, the UN's International Organization for Migration had recorded 367 deaths in the Mediterranean so far this year, after registering 2,048 such deaths in 2021.UAE, Saudi Arabia in key global pension index
Here’s a look at what landed the UAE and Saudi Arabia among some of the better countries with a pension scheme for retiring or retired employees from both the government and private sectors.Jordan saw its GDP grow 2.2% in 2021 as compared to 2020
The numbers come from a quarterly statistical report released on Sunday by the Department of Statistics.France donates $5.5m to Jordan for a development project
The Jordan Education for Employment (JEFE) organization and the French Development Agency on Saturday signed a grant agreement worth 5 million euros to launch the "Ilhamy" (my inspiration) project.Britain may build seven nuclear power plants by 2050
Britain could build up to seven new nuclear power plants by 2050, as well as offshore wind to diversify energy sources, a senior minister said Sunday.Bahrain authorities allay fears over tomato price rise
Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism has announced that big shipments of tomatoes would arrive within the next few days, which would lead to a drop in prices.People flee Lebanon to Iran in search of employment
Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis that the World Bank says is of a scale usually associated with war.War-torn Yemen holds breath as breakthrough truce begins
The UAE has expressed its "support" for the UN ceasefire, which was also welcomed by the US, UN chief Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and the leaders of Britain, France, and Iraq.Gulf countries warm up to waste-to-fuel plans
Here’s a broader look at how the region has prioritized solid-waste recycling and the production of alternative fuels to deal with the trash they generate.Fitch Ratings says Saudi corporates’ funding mix is evolving
Saudi corporates’ funding mix is evolving, with the debt capital market for firms increasing noticeably and averaging a 10 percent increase year-on-year, Fitch Ratings said in a new report.UAE and Saudi stocks post gains this week
The UAE and Saudi stock markets posted considerable gains this week even as oil prices took a dip with the US tapping into its reserves to tame high crude oil prices.Iraq exports oil worth $11bn in March, a fifty-year record
Iraq exported $11.07 billion of oil last month, the highest level for half a century, as crude prices soared amid shortfall fears following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the oil ministry said.US allies agree to tap emergency oil reserves again
IAE repeated its warning that the prospect of large-scale disruptions to Russian oil production "is threatening to create a global oil supply shock".Jordan, US discuss ways to enhance strategic partnership
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the new MoU for the strategic partnership between the two countries.Algeria warns of possible gas price rise for Spain
Algiers last month recalled its ambassador from Madrid in protest at a decision by Spain to back a Moroccan autonomy plan for the ex-Spanish colony of Western Sahara.ADPG profit up Dh397m
The company’s revenue rose to AED 3.9 billion.GCC pharma industry: Leaders and innovators
GCC countries have a highly dynamic environment characterized by growing populations, a broad diversity of patient demands and increasing healthcare budgets, says Rodrigo Rodriguez, the Middle East Cluster General Manager of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.Jadwa Investment says Saudi economy to grow 7.7% in 2022
The economy of Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow 7.7 percent this year propelled by the expansion of the kingdom's oil sector, according to Jadwa Investment.NEOM subsidiary sets up Hydrogen and Innovation Development Center
ENOWA, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of NEOM, has established the region's first Hydrogen and Innovation Development Center (HIDC). Located in NEOM’s advanced manufacturing and innovation city, the new facility aims to accelerate lab to market solutions and business development across the spectrum of hydrogen, green fuel production, utilization...Lebanon to pay $16m for power on polling day
Lebanon's electricity company is charging $16 million to supply power on the day of the May 15 parliamentary polls, a sum that exceeds the overall election budget by nearly 30 percent, the interior minister said.World Bank urges support for poor as food prices soar
Developing and import-dependent countries have been heavily impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- the two countries that account for more than a quarter of the world's annual wheat sales.




















































