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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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...

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...

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.

Consumers are spending more on beauty products and fragrances despite inflation, says Salem Kaissi, Vice-President of multi-brand luxury beauty concept Faces.

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,...

The ongoing conflict will directly impact the Gulf and Arab countries since they import vast food items from the two countries, particularly wheat.

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.

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.

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...

Now, the fastest-growing job profiles in the GCC include a mix of both pandemic-resultant and non-pandemic-resultant positions.

Digital economy has driven the startup investment upsurge in the MENA region in 2021.

Floating restaurants and hotels could be a significant supporting player as the GCC region aspires to increase its footprint as a global tourism hub.

The Gulf region leads in adoption of artificial intelligence or machine learning to boost productivity, says Rami Darwish, CEO of Dubai-based Arrow Labs.

In economically free societies, governments allow labor, capital, and goods to move freely.

TikTok is among top ten most downloaded apps in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, says Hany Kamel, Director of Content Operation for TikTok MENA.

The market is expected to grow at an annualized growth rate of 3.2 percent, from $26.5 billion in 2021 to $31.1 billion in 2026. Along with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, digitization activities by insurers in the region will boost the expansion plan of the insurance business.

The UAE is the most competitive emerging market in GCC and the third most competitive on a global scale after China and India, according to the annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index. The UAE led all 50 countries in the Index in creating the best business conditions and in the...

It's time to review demand generation plans as Covid-19 is still posing challenges for the regional markets, says Michele Montecchio, Acer's country manager for the region.

The Gulf Cooperation Council region witnessed a 40 percent rise in job creation in the last quarter of 2021 compared to the corresponding period of 2020, and hiring activity will continue to strengthen in 2022, said recruitment specialist Cooper Fitch. Job creation across the region was driven primarily by a...

From solar farms to wind energy, the infrastructure is being put in place at varying paces by GCC nations.

Compared to Europe and US, cyber insurance is a profitable proposition for GCC firms due to amenable market factors such as low litigation environment.

GCC countries appear to be reaping the benefits of their efforts this year, with all indications pointing to the economies making significant progress.

For several years, there has been a rush of investments from GCC countries into European sports. TRENDS explores the reasons that woo Gulf investors beside profits.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the UAE Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the closing of the "Arab Gulf Security 3" Exercise held in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, has affirmed that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, asserting that the "Arab Gulf Security 3" is a message of determination and peace. Arab Gulf Security 3 is a joint tactical exercise of...

Around 31 million visitors are expected to enter the UAE yearly by 2025 as the country has initiated several measures to revitalize the tourism sector, particularly eco-tourism.

The region must urgently strengthen innovation and localization. These two make significant contribution to GDP and jobs, either directly through revenue and direct employment, or indirectly by nurturing a startup ecosystem. Governments should begin this process by identifying and prioritizing sectors that fit with the country’s resources, strengths, and strategic...

The Gulf region stays strong both regionally and globally in terms of the number of internet users and the populations with maximum number of cell phones.

Saudi Arabia's finance minister, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, has stressed the need for the promotion of the joint Gulf action, with the need to raise the pace of coordination among all GCC states.

In 2021, Triple-A estimated global crypto ownership rates at an average of 3.9 percent, with over 300 million cryptocurrency-owners and users worldwide. Over 18,000 businesses are already accepting cryptocurrency payments.

The setting up of the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority in 2019 has enabled countries in the Middle East to save $3 billion.

The dialogue discusses the new developments in trade and investment exchange.

"While online learning is a supplement to a broader educational experience, course enrollment statistics strongly imply that it is a vital aspect of professional growth for many, particularly busy professionals," Anthony Tattersall, VP of EMEA at Coursera, tells TRENDS.

GCC Secretary-General Naif Falah Al-Hajraf with the chairman of the Board of Directors of the FGCCC, Samir Abdullah Nas.

Member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are increasingly working towards the empowerment of women.

GCC Secretary-General Naif Falah Al-Hajraf and Chinese State Advisor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, also agreed on a free trade agreement.

On 12th October 2021, the European Commission issued its first-ever NextGenerationEU green bond

The business environment in the region will experience a transformation that will have a far-reaching impact on economic trends and social dynamics.

The IMF's warning that developing nations are about to face what it called “economic turbulence” is bad news for the GCC as it may hamper the revival of regional economies.

The action plan was finalised during a delegation-level meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and GCC Secretary General Dr Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf.

Payment landscape in Gulf countries is headed for a significant change, Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO of G+D tells the TRENDS. "CBDC solves several challenges of today’s payment and crypto-currency world. There’s a multitude of payment options, be it cash or digital, as well as the emergence of new forms of...

Qatar's main healthcare provider has suspended leave for all medical and administrative staff dealing with Covid, as infections surge across the Gulf. The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Qatar -- have been recording their highest...

As ecommerce expands, companies are becoming more aware of the region's shifting consumer behavior and needs, say experts.

During the meeting, the Canadian ambassador was briefed about the initiatives launched by the UAE to strengthen women's rights.

The UAE is one of the most attractive Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for GCC citizens to work in, according to the 2021 statistics released by the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA). A total of 6,903 employees from GCC countries work in the UAE, out of the total...