Logistics: At the heart of economic activity
The global logistics market is expected to be around US$10 trillion in 2024, and is estimated to reach US$21.91 trillion by 2033, registering a healthy CAGR growth of 9.35 percent from 2024 until 2033.
GCC condemns Iran for interfering in affairs of other nations
GCC demands Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and its support for militias must be included in ongoing talks in Vienna between Iran and five world powersTrade between UAE, Bahrain vaults 75% to $672 million in Q2
Only Saudi Arabia traded more with Bahrain, with the total value reaching $781 million during the quarter Oman was followed by Kuwait, which recorded $99 million in bilateral trade in Q2 There has been an unexpected surge in trade between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain in the second...History created: ADX market capitalization crosses US$300 billion
The UAE’s booming economy and the gradual opening up of the world markets helped Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange’s market capitalization to cross US$300 billion (AED1.1 trillion) on 12 July 2021.GCC sees $27bn worth of hotel projects lined up
The GCC has hotel investments worth $27 billion in the pipeline, said the Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC)Griffith Foods and IFFCO joint venture debuts in Middle East
Griffith Foods and the IFFCO Group are launching a joint venture in the Middle East to make and sell food ingredientsGermany hopes return of pre-pandemic level Saudi tourist arrivals
Germany recorded 1.6 million overnight stays from the Gulf region in 2019 A campaign aims to inspire travelers to journey off the beaten track this summer Undaunted by the dipping level of tourists from Saudi Arabia due to the Covid restrictions, Germany hopes to encourage travelers from Saudi Arabia in...Austria to welcome more GCC travelers from July 1
Austria will open border for tourists from all across the world, including GCC, from July 1 The move comes as the European country post looks to implement a post-Covid-19 strategy Austria has announced that it will open its border for tourists from all across the world, including those in the...GCC-UK Trade Summit 2021 to boost trade, investment
Virtual event promises to catalyze a new era of economic collaboration Day-long summit will host discussions featuring high-profile investors from KSA, Gulf, and top experts from the UK The longstanding ties between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council are set to receive a major fillip as the biggest names...POSist sees growth rebounding in the Gulf in 2021
Pent-up demand may lead to vigorous recovery in Gulf travel, tourism, hospitality sectors in the second half of 2021 Recovery will ride on increasing adoption of technology The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are experiencing a fast economic recovery and the pent-up demand could manifest in a vigorous...Non-performing loans ratio for GCC banks up by 0.4%: KPMG report
Report provides banking industry leaders with analysis along with insights and forward-looking views Cost and operational efficiencies expected to remain a top priority for banks in 2021 The overall non-performing loans (NPL) ratio for the Gulf Cooperation Council banking sector has increased by 0.4% and now stands at...Survey: 66% business leaders in Egypt, GCC to invest more in data analytics
Incorta, a US data analytics company, conducted the survey About 153 business leaders in 11 industries from Egypt, GCC took part in the survey About 66 percent of the business leaders in Egypt and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plan to invest more in data analytics this...Kalaam Telecom acquires Kuwaiti ISP leader Zajil Telecom
The combined entity will turn it into a $100m technology solutions company Kalaam will be among the top three ISPs in the GCC and the only operator with an ISP license for Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Kalaam Telecom, Bahrain's leading technology solutions provider, has announced the...Family Business Council Gulf to host first ‘Family Business Awards’ in GCC
Award categories are SME Family Business, Non-Family Executive, NexGen Venture and NexGen Innovation Family businesses contribute to 60 percent GDP of the GCC The Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG) has unveiled the first ‘Family Business Awards’ in the GCC region to honor organizations for their continued success across...Abu Dhabi’s largest solar-powered car park completed
It has 7,542 solar panels producing electricity The facility is expected to reduce the emission equivalent of 5,300 tons of carbon dioxide per year Abu Dhabi’s largest solar-powered car park is complete, announced renewable energy firm Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, aka Masdar, and Abu Dhabi Airports. With 7,542 solar...GCC buyers show interest as India resumes horticultural food promotions
The fair saw buyers from several GCC states in attendance It signaled that APEDA has begun export-oriented marketing of the aforementioned products Covid-19 cases fall in India A virtual trade fair for exotic seasonal fruits, vegetables and floricultural products, organized by India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export...Gulf tourists await possible easing of EU travel rules
Under the current restrictions, people from only 7 countries, including Australia, Israel, Singapore, can enter the EU Gulf residents are expected to spend heavily on holidays this year as borders are opened European Union has agreed on Wednesday to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions on visitors from around the world ahead...Gulf residents can’t wait to visit Europe as travel curbs ease
EU to lift curbs on high-spending tourists from the GCC Thousands of travelers from the Middle East are expected to visit the continent European Union has agreed on Wednesday to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions on visitors from around the world ahead of the summer tourist season. Ambassadors from the 27...How is technology changing the fortunes of Bahrain?
Small island nation Bahrain is spearheading its investment in the technology sector in a bid to position itself as a major technology and innovation hub in the region. During the past few months, many new initiatives have been taken by the government to boost the technology domain while some of...Businesses under fire; how can transformation come to rescue?
Because of the ongoing disruptions and also due to the recent introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the region, business top lines are under significant pressure. This has forced companies to look at organizational structures and ways of optimizing and reworking an organization’s cost base. Further, the business leaders...Women empowerment in GCC; from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’
By Allegra Salvadori Too much have been said about women empowerment that the binomial has now become an overused concept, to the point of losing its original meaning and effect. What we know, is that women empowerment is “something” that must be done. But how and by whom, is not...Why is Bahrain pursuing unconventional path of diversification?
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nation Bahrain is pursuing the path of diversification and has been able to diversify its economy quite efficiently in the last few years. Over the time, Bahrain has been able to cash in on the unexplored potential of sectors like tourism and technology. Owing to its...How future of mobility will look like in GCC?
Marvin Ammori, General Counsel, Hyperloop One, speaks to TRENDS about the sustainability of future mobility while keeping in mind the fast moving technology and ongoing transformations. How everybody is talking about new innovative concepts that are shaping the transportation sector. Hyperloop is one of the most revolutionary concepts of all....Algerian pharmaceutical market; model of positive growth
The Algerian pharmaceutical sector, which depended upon massive imports to fulfill medical supply needs, is now on a path of rapid and positive progression. With an aim of improving the local medicine and medical supply needs, and to acquire scientific, technological and technical know-how, Algeria is working on important partnerships...“Arab Women Forum” to make a stylish debut in Saudi Arabia
For the first time ever, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the “Arab Women Forum” as part of the fourth edition of the “Top CEO Conference and Awards,” which is set to return to the country for the second time on 10th and 11th April at King Abdullah Economic...Saudi to host world’s biggest solar unit; larger than many global cities
A massive economic diversification exercise is underway in the Middle East to gradually end dependency on fossil fuels for a sustainable future. One sector, which has immensely benefitted from the exercise is that of renewable energy. Over the years, it has not only emerged as a reliable and viable means...“Top CEO Conference” returns to Saudi Arabia for the second time
The “Top CEO Conference and Awards” will return to Saudi Arabia for the second time on 10th and 11th April 2018 at King Abdullah Economic City, where business leaders and more than 40 expert speakers from across the Arab Gulf and the Middle East will gather to discuss the burning...Top CEO Conference & Awards; rewarding excellence
CEOs in the Middle East today operate in a very complex environment, characterized by fast-evolving regulations, start-up challenges, changing consumer behavior and technological disruptions, among others. Their job becomes even more demanding taking into consideration the fact that the region itself is witnessing a massive and rapid change amid low...How execution challenge is haunting GCC corporate?
Executing project is never as simple as formulating it. New projects have emerged in the GCC, creating high hopes for investors and businessmen in the region and abroad. However, plagued by bad track records on delivering on their promises, the GCC region needs to tackle the execution challenges. Majority of...How EB-5 Investor Program reform will boost GCC investment in US
The US Congress is likely to pass a long-term reauthorization of Employment-Based (EB-5) Investor Immigration Program in March before the program expires on March 23, 2018, that would reform and extend the popular immigration through investment program and help the US create more jobs, a top official said. “The US...What it takes to accelerate region’s movement toward sustainability
Clean energy and sustainability have gone beyond just being buzzwords for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. The governments in the region have laid down energy plans and huge investments are being made to meet set targets. This pursuit becomes even more relevant for the region due to the abundance...Increasing tourist footfall pushing GCC economy
Even as there’s pressure on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to curtail spending and prioritize projects, the tourism sector has remained above such considerations and is driving the diversification plan. In the run up to the mega-ticket events in the region, like the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, the...Heading into 2018, different aims for US foreign policy in the region
During the Cold War, the then-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States had different foreign policies in the Middle East. Fortunately, these policies did not really conflict. The US had focused heavily on Israel and Iran as regional allies and buffers, and on oil-producing countries, such as the...GCC banks up against fresh challenges
It was more about fiscal consolidation than being adventurous in 2017 for the banking sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has felt the ripples of continued low oil prices most. Though banks warded off liquidity concerns by keeping capital buffers intact and adopting more stringent lending criteria, the...Despite volatility, GCC healthcare industry witnesses good run
Private healthcare in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, estimated at $62 billion in 2016, is forecasted to expand 8.7 percent annually, to reach $94 billion in 2021, according to MENA Research Partners (MRP), a leading research company in the region. Saudi Arabia and the UAE together represent more than...Will Kingdom Holding’s shares look up this week?
Saudi Arabia’s billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was freed from nearly three-month detention on Saturday in Riyadh, is expected to return to his normal life at the earliest. Chairman of Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding Co. Alwaleed, who also owns stakes in Citigroup Inc., Twitter and the ride-hailing service Careem, will stay...GCC education marches forward in 2018
When the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, attended the opening of the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi during his visit to the UAE on November 8, the 39-year-old former Rothschild banker had a message for the youth of Arabia. “Youth has the choice to show hatred for others or to build...