GCC powers ahead in global clean energy transition with solar and hydrogen investments
Now, the region is turning its attention to newer innovations, including hydrogen production, small modular reactors (SMRs), and compact nuclear power generators.
Qatar receives highest number of international visitors in May
The international arrivals in Qatar exceeded 166,000 people in May, making it the month with highest number of visitors in 2022. Qatar Tourism said that unique events in the previous months like ‘Eid in Qatar’ were also a reason for large influx of visitors in Qatar. The figures represent more...EU unveils ‘new strategic partnership’ with GCC
European Union has unveiled a new strategic partnership with the GCC, aiming to deepen the ties with the Gulf countries.UAE’s gender diversity policy sees more women in board positions
In 2020, women held 3.5 percent of all board positions in the UAE. The next year, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) set a quota for all listed companies to put at least one woman on their boards by 2025. As of June 2022, women hold 8.9 percent of the...Investments, innovations help MENA smart cities grow
Intelligent transportation system, speedy 5G deployment and heavy investment in AI are pushing region's smart city growth, says Omar Christidis, CEO & Founder of Arabnet.GCC eyes unified payment system to strengthen banks
Aiming to strengthen the financial sector and achieve economic unity by 2025, the regional governments are working on an agreement to link the payment systems.Qatar passenger traffic may surge by 105 percent in 2022: Report
The report of Qatar Aviation body is updated with the IATA Air Transport data (Airport-IS) related to schedule statistics until the end of 2022.Oil revenues help boost MENA economic growth
Economic growth in the MENA region is forecast to accelerate to 5.3% in 2022 before slowing to 3.6% in 2023, according to the World Bank. Find out the country-wise breakup.Dubai Chamber members’ exports up 28 percent in May, highest since 2018
The strength of the Dubai economy, the flexibility of the emirate's merchants and the value of Dubai Chamber of Commerce services drive chamber members' exports to grow by 15.8 percent during January-May 2022, said Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers.GCC, Korea discuss intra-trade during FTA talks
The two sides launched their negotiations on June 6, during which they discussed many topics aimed at enhancing investments between the two sides.Cloud migration: A distant dream in Middle East
Security and lack of IT skills have cast a shadow over the pursuit of digital transformation in the Middle East, despite enthusiasm for the cloud, Rackspace Technology believes.GCC sees rise in non-oil sectors’ contribution to GDP
The region's countries have embarked on ambitious transformative plans to reduce dependence on oil and diversify their economies.What Gulf netizens searched for in 2021?
Google's yearly report of top trending searches reveals the most popular keywords and topics across different categories, such as 'How to' or 'the most searched recipes'.Cybersecurity challenges keep Gulf region on its toes
About 25% of ransomware data theft attacks in the GCC are reported from the UAE followed by Saudi Arabia (15.5%), Qatar (7%), Oman and Kuwait (2% each), and Bahrain (1%).Third Gulf Forum for Voluntary Work to be held in December
A meeting between the Committee of Heads of Red Crescent Societies and bodies in GCC concluded its 18th meeting. The committee issued a set of decisions including approving the Saudi Red Crescent Authority's bid to organize the third Gulf Forum for Voluntary Work for the Red Crescent bodies and societies...Air bridge set to help airlines fly Fifa fans to Qatar
Many GCC airlines have teamed up to create an air bridge to fly the fans to watch World Cup games during November and December, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker tells TRENDS.UAE, Saudi Arabia set new halal economy goals for GCC
Beside halal food business, Islamic banking holds the largest share of the Sharia-compliant industry, says Nik Joharris Nik Ahmad, country head of Maybank Islamic Dubai-DIFC.GCC, Pakistan launch 3rd round of free trade negotiations
The Chairman of the GCC Negotiating Team, Abdulrahman bin Ahmed Al-Harbi, stressed the importance of pursuing negotiations with Pakistan.UAE and Qatar top 2021 GCC economies
The two Gulf countries score high consistently on all seven parameters used to measure the status of an economy.GCC equities stay steady this week
It was a week of mixed fortunes for various stock exchanges of the GCC, with TASI remaining flat through the week, even as Abu Dhabi's index began posting gains on Frdiay.Ending gender disparity key to regional prosperity
Even as SMEs in GCC seek to do more to end gender disparity , UAE proactively leads the region in pursuing the diversity agenda, says Marketa Simkova, Partner at KPMG Lower Gulf.Spiralling inflation spurs GCC gold demand
Gold consumption in the GCC region reached 47 tons in the first quarter of 2022, up 18 percent from the prior year. UAE consumption reached 12.50 tons in Q1 2022.UAE invests Dh62.6b in Jordan development projects
Abu Dhabi Development Fund for Development has financed AED6.5 billion worth of development projects in Jordan.Energy, technology and finance lead Gulf IPOs
Energy, utilities and natural resources account for 42% of the total IPO proceeds, TMT 27% and financial services 21%, Odin Financial Advisors MD Omer Unsal tells TRENDS.‘Digitization transforming Islamic banking in GCC’
The use of CX capabilities, digital media, predictive analytics can help banks develop personalized Shariah-compliant services, says Dubai Islamic Bank Group CEO Dr Adnan Chilwan.Digitization to see more GCC women enter workforce
Although the number of female STEM graduates is high in GCC, this couldn't translate into proportionate increase in workforce, says Christine Harb from Global Brand Council at VISA.Aramco, Etisalat top list of GCC’s valuable firms
Although the last several months have been hard for listed businesses in the Middle East, yet many have defied the dire predictions to dominate capital markets.TOP CEO 2022 Winners List: And the award goes to…
The most transparent and credible business awards in the Arabian Gulf celebrate leaders of the stock market-listed companies in the region.Workplace diversity is both cultural & business issue
One of the biggest challenges for women in the GCC is the lack of possibilities in the workplace, Novonda founder Jean-Pierre Calvez tells TRENDS.GCC firms should focus on digital change: QIB chief
Bassel Gamal, the Group CEO of Qatar's second-largest bank, tells TRENDS that leaders should empower their employees to make decisions.Oman, India bilateral trade rises to $9.9b in 2021-2022
There has been a 94.8% increase in the number of Indian businesses registering with Oman MoCIIP’s Invest Easy portal, up from 450 in 2019 to 877 in 2021.SMEs across GCC need more decentralized approach
The companies must also strive for more delegated authority and accountability as delays and poor follow-up lead to disaster, says Rabih I Khoury, Partner & Chief Exit Officer, MEVP.UK gives visa waiver to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
The UK Home Office affirmed that “an electronic visa waiver allows the holder to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver for each visit.SME development in Gulf region still in early stages
It is essential to know that the governments can't and shouldn't do everything independently to encourage their national talents. A practical partnership between the public and private sectors is the only way forward in terms of cultivating and encouraging indigenous talent, he adds.Oil, stimulus packages revive Arab world’s growth
The growth rate of Arab economies is expected to increase to around five percent in 2022 on the back of rising oil production and its prices in the international markets.Inflation, geopolitics take toll on GCC businesses
Inflation spawns numerous hurdles as GCC business leaders struggle to find a way to surmount the difficulties aggravated by geopolitical events.Beauty, fashion brands eye NFT advantage
There is enormous potential for NFTs in the fashion and beauty business, says Louis Chen, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at Perfect Corp.UAE: Where sustainable shopping can be a way of life
If there is one country in the GCC where the idea of sustainable shopping can take off, it is the UAE. Yet, there is a lot for it to do in order to make the concept work.TOP CEO to discuss post-Covid GCC business scene
CEOs and market veterans from the region will review how the pandemic, which accelerated digital transformation, has given a competitive edge to innovative businesses.Eid holidays boost Gulf tourism as COVID curbs ease
From overseas to the domestic circuit, the tourism industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council is witnessing a welcome resurgence, especially after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.Surging ecommerce boon for GCC businesses
A rising number of tech-savvy millennials, 60 percent of whom shop online, is one of the most important factors responsible for the rising ecommerce sales.Ramadan brings $6bn windfall for MENA
The spending through the month of April has been widespread, including a broader increase in sales volume and a diversification of family-oriented retail options that enhance the prosperity of the local market.Relative debt of GCC countries
Here’s a look at which countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have how much debt, and how they compare to their GDP.UAE and KSA stock markets remain flat this week
Against the backdrop of mounting concerns about the supply of crude oil, the stock markets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE remained subdued this week.GCC FMCG market faces headwinds
Certain FMCG companies benefited from the pandemic since people spent more time at home baking and spending time together. As a result, sales of packaged foods, for example, surged during the pandemic.Abu Dhabi to trade carbon credits like assets
Carbon credits can be traded on legal carbon markets, such as the Emissions Trading System of the European Union. They can also be generated and traded on voluntary carbon markets worldwide, with examples developed in Singapore, Sydney, New York, and London.UAE hotel industry basks in festive Ramadan spirit
Now, hotel bookings will rise for Eid Al-Fitr, with Gulf markets predicted to see a considerable spike in travel bookings from April 28 to May 5, 2022, which coincides with the resumption of large exhibitions in several GCC capitals.Arab economies expected to grow by 5% in 2022: AMF
The expected growth rate for 2022 reflects the rise in the growth of the Arab oil-exporting economies to 5.6 percent due to the anticipated increases in the output of the oil and gas sectors.GCC luxury market grows despite supply chain woes
The GCC personal luxury market will continue to be on a ‘strong growth trajectory,’ Chalhoub Group Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Jasmina Banda tells TRENDS.Increase in demand helps GCC real estate recover
From the UAE to Saudi Arabia, Qatar to Kuwait, the GCC countries have posted robust growth in the real estate sector, with the transactions touching $137.4 billion in 2021.Policy eyed as Mideast bears brunt of climate change
Disasters caused by climate change since 2000 have killed approximately 2,600 people, affected seven million others, and caused $2 billion in direct material damage. It may have also reduced annual economic growth by 1-2 percentage points on a per-capita basis, it adds.


















































