Israel faces risks of global isolation and losing UN membership over Gaza genocide, say UN experts
Experts from the United Nations have warned that Israel might become a pariah state, and its UN membership is under question as Tel Aviv continues to commit genocide in Gaza killing more than 40,000 people since October 7, 2023. Experts also reprimanded the Western countries for double standards on Netanyahu’s...
GCC exchanges recoup their losses
From the UAE to Saudi Arabia, the main indexes made up for their losses as the week came to a close.Demand surges as Ramadan returns
The shopping behavior has changed a lot in the region in past two years as consumers are looking for promotions and offers especially in food, perishables, groceries and home appliances. Studies suggest that consumers are spending more on cross-border goods, particularly consumer packaged products, during Ramadan this year.Covid, digital transformation push GCC cloud growth
Businesses in the region are increasingly adopting cloud to protect their data, apps and infrastructure from fraudulent activities while supporting compliance and confidentiality.Sustainability drives region’s luxury car demand
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the three top performing GCC markets when it comes to appetite for high-end cars, Hamid Haqparwar, MD of BMW Group Middle East, tells TRENDS.AI plays crucial role in GCC’s economic progress
Artificial Intelligence, wired into the economic plans of many GCC countries, is likely to contribute 12.4 percent to Saudi GDP and 14 percent to the UAE's GDP by 2030.GCC keeps pace with global solar, wind trends
Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman appear on track to take giant strides in diversifying their portfolios when it comes to power generation.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.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.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.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.Saudi hosts talks on Yemen war, but without Houthi rebels
Ahmed Al-Emad, a spokesman for the rebels' foreign ministry said that the recent meeting on Yemen conflict held in Riyadh "has nothing to do with the issue of peace."DFM, DME to jointly explore financial products opportunities
The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) will jointly explore financial products opportunities following the signing of an agreement, which will cater to DFM’s large and diversified investor base of over 852,000 investors. As the first initiative under this agreement, the two exchanges are planning to create...How can UAE firms adapt to corporate tax?
Now entities that typically have strong brand equity, control over distribution, and very few competitors, have a competitive edge that makes it difficult for rivals to emulate their products and services. What of the rest? Lovrenc Kessler, Managing Partner of Simon-Kucher & Partners Middle East, explains.Metaverse set to transform banking in GCC
Regional players eye big share as Metaverse is expected to become a US$800 billion market. Some analysts believe it will hit $30 trillion by 2030.Aramco lifts TASI as UAE stocks see weekly gain
The Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange achieved weekly gains of 1.7 percent, while that for the Dubai stock exchange was 1.9 percent.Why GCC should heed Fed rate changes
Four Gulf Arab central banks followed in the footsteps of the US Federal Reserve and raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point for the first time since 2018.GCC members lead Arab nations in happiness report
Four of the six GCC members feature within the top 50 of the World Happiness Report, and are atop the rankings among the Arab countries.Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue an opportunity to end conflict: GCC Secretary General
Al-Hajraf said that the dialogue represents a platform to all Yemenis to end the dispute.Houthi attack on Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia
The latest attack comes after an oil refinery in Riyadh was targeted on March 10 by a drone, an operation claimed by the Houthis.GCC airfares soar as oil prices rise
The amplifying factors include sanctions against Russia’s aviation sector, which cast a global pall over the aviation industry.GCC looks to ease fiscal burden with privatization
The privatization move will also help the regional governments in maintaining better economic growth, increasing private participation and attracting foreign investments.GCC retail electronics set for boost as buyers return
The retail electronics sector has proliferated in GCC countries, with demand rising not only due to the urge to own the latest technologies but also because more and more people are working and learning from home, he adds. Dubai Chamber, meanwhile, has claimed ecommerce businesses might generate up to $8...Skills gap challenge for GCC digitization, says du CEO
GCC companies should work closely with digital and software companies to expedite digital transformation, says Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, in an exclusive interview with TRENDS.GCC countries lead the world in remittances
Over the past four years, GCC members have seen billions of dollars being remitted to other countries.KSA, UAE lead GCC’s push for hydrogen economy
Striking partnerships with companies in the West have helped the two Gulf countries emerge as one of the major exporters of hydrogen to the world.Female empowerment key to Gulf economic growth
Several initiatives taken by Gulf states demonstrate women will play a key role in achieving the transformational goals.GCC nations see varying CPI in last 5 years
GCC countries have been witnessing a varying degree of change when it comes to Consumer Price Index performance.New UAE law boosts family business growth
Haoula considers it extremely important to sustain family businesses as a recognition for their efforts historically, and for the advantages they could bring to the future of the UAE. “The new legislation makes everybody [feel] welcomed, and that for sure will make it a very approachable place for employment and...Is Gulf luxury sector immune from inflation?
However, just because there is inflation doesn't mean that people aren't spending, but they are spending differently. The that sales are expected to rise from US$ 317 bn in 2021 to between US$ 336 bn and US$ 347.5 bn in 2022.Technology makes Saudi farms more sustainable
The Kingdom's startup Red Sea Farms woos regional and global investors with a technology that grows crops without using freshwater in humidity-controlled greenhouses.Israel stock exchange eyes GCC investors
In an exclusive interview, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange CEO Ittai Ben-Zeev speaks on his strategy to attract investors from the Arab world, especially the UAE and the GCC.GCC wants to expand strategic partnership with India
The remarks were made during the GCC Secretary General Al-Hajraf’s meeting with the Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Ausaf Sayeed.PCR testing is a business success in the region
A large number of kits of the PCR test has been manufactured and used across the world in general and the GCC in particular.Inflation pinches GCC consumers’ pockets
The wave of inflation continues to put pressure on consumers not just in the United States, Europe, and the Arab world, but also in the Gulf region. Economies in the Middle East are exposed to the global price fluctuations because of heavy import dependence. Localized factors like rental deflation and...Rising inflation hobbles SMEs in Gulf countries
Diversifying, and strengthening local production structures is the most appropriate way to reduce inflation. Entrepreneurs and start-up companies may come forward to help their respective governments in finding more sustainable development solutions. The menace of inflation cannot be managed alone.Global and regional trade: The economic booster for GCC govts
The squeeze on real incomes within the region due to higher inflation may depress regional trade flows. The situation may worsen further if the global central banks' attempts to control rising consumer prices, which will ultimately dampen global economic activity.How GCC nations can tame rising inflation?
Investing in inflation-protected bonds and gold may provide some hedge against consumer price rise. Putting money into the real estate sector is also a safe bet, believe some regional experts.Is GCC inflation getting out of control?
Central bank action and risks to financial stability must be carefully monitored and managed as loose monetary policy is unwound. A sudden rise could cause a shock to the Gulf economies leading to a recession.Look: How Gulf inflation evolves in 25 years
GCC countries, like other nations across the world, are exposed to many economic challenges and risks such as higher prices of basic goods and services, introduction of new taxes, etc.Saudi job market to stay upbeat in 2022
During the past four years, the kingdom has created 555,000 new jobs as part of its plan to develop $1 trillion worth of new projects to meet its Vision 2030 goal.Shurooq to invest in GCC, Arab countries, Australia, says its Executive Chairman
Shurooq is currently considering in several Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. Shurooq has received a proposal to establish similar entities to Sharjah Sustainable City in Australia and...Sukuks cast their spell beyond GCC markets
The total green sukuk market is worth more than US$15 billion, according to Refitiniv, with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) being the first in the market with a US$ 2.5 bn offering. However, figures show that Sustainability and green-themed Sukuk were rising in 2021, mainly since large entities are investing...Do structural reforms attract FDI?
As regional bourses aim to compete with developed markets, questions are also being raised over the state of reforms, the future of regulation in the region.GCC beauty sector puts best face forward
Consumers are spending more on beauty products and fragrances despite inflation, says Salem Kaissi, Vice-President of multi-brand luxury beauty concept Faces.US or Russia? Ukraine crisis poses dilemma for wealthy Gulf
Choosing sides in Ukraine's crisis would have once been easy for Gulf states long protected by the US, but growing ties with Moscow are forcing them to strike a balance. As the world rushed to condemn the Russian invasion of its smaller neighbour, the wealthy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,...Ukraine-Russia war may affect Gulf food supply
The ongoing conflict will directly impact the Gulf and Arab countries since they import vast food items from the two countries, particularly wheat.GCC turbulence mires Airbus rise
Airbus has been mired in controversy despite its best efforts to increase its customer base, across the world in general and in the GCC in particular.Financial corruption hinders Gulf economic model
Beside Covid-19 pandemic, many countries in the region face war and conflicts. A robust economic system necessitates an effective strategy to combat corruption. If GCC countries wishes to be prosperous, there must be systems in place to fight corruption and ensure that the integrity of the state is maintained.Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group launches GCC $100m Sukuk Fund
GFH Financial Group (GFH), a Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank, has announced that is has launched and seeded a $100 million sukuk fund which holds a diversified portfolio of sukuk, following signing agreement with Credit Suisse to provide financing and fund administration services. The fund holds a portfolio of sovereign, quasi...Covid-19 shakes up GCC’s in-demand job profiles
Now, the fastest-growing job profiles in the GCC include a mix of both pandemic-resultant and non-pandemic-resultant positions.



















































