EU imports US$120.5bn worth of energy products in Q4 2023
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In the fourth quarter of 2023, the EU imported US$120.5 billion (€111.3 billion) worth of energy products amounting to a total of 187.9 million tonnes.Compared with the same period in 2022, imports decreased both in value (-34.2 percent) and in net mass (-11.7 percent), according to figures...
Former Nissan boss refuses to fade away into oblivion
From his shock detention to an audacious escape from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box, the rollercoaster saga of former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has grabbed headlines worldwide.Germany voices opposition to postponing Iran nuclear deal
Israel has said that regardless of any agreement that may be reached in Vienna, it would maintain full freedom to act against Iran.Professor Roubini on Global and Regional Economies
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and automation will define the future of jobs, says renowned economist Professor Nouriel RoubiniSanctions bore in on Russia over Ukraine invasion
On Friday, US President Joe Biden extended his country's measures against Russia to include sanctions on President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including a travel ban for the two statesmen. Biden was the first world leader to announce sanctions, hours after Putin declared a "military operation" into...Federation of Saudi Chambers signs deal to host UN Global Compact
The Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce signed an agreement to host the local network of the United Nations Global Compact in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This affirms the Federation’s role in supporting the efforts of the UN Global Compact and realizing the importance of corporate sustainability in implementing...IMF, World Bank warn of global impacts as Russia invades Ukraine
The World Bank and IMF warned on Thursday that Russia's invasion of Ukraine would have repercussions for the global economic recovery.Thailand’s only Fortune Global 500 company opens office in Abu Dhabi
The new trading office of PTT, Thailand’s largest corporation and the only Thai company listed in Fortune Global 500, was opened in Abu Dhabi Global Market on Thursday. The PTT Chairman, CEO and Board of Directors travelled to Abu Dhabi to mark the milestone, alongside representatives from ADNOC, IFAD and...Russia attack on Ukraine turns Europe eyes to Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Qatar and Saudi Arabia host American troops, but their economic and political relations with Russia have grown over the years.Amid troop buildup, Biden says Putin has decided to invade Ukraine
There were growing fears that only a spark — which Washington warns could be a deliberate "false flag" incident created by the Russians — might set off the largest military confrontation in Europe since World War II. More than 40 percent of the troops surrounding Ukraine were now said to...The annual Sharjah Heritage festival to kick off in March
Armenia will be the official guest of honor this year due to its rich and diverse cultural stock, while Indonesia will be the distinguished guestGlobal diesel supplies fall as demand rises in post-pandemic recovery
Global supplies of diesel are dwindling as refiners struggle to keep pace with rapid post-pandemic demand recovery, exacerbating an acute global energy shortage that has already sent the prices of gas, coal and crude oil soaring. At a time when global central banks are fretting over inflation rates not seen...Sheikh Khaled and Prince William discuss global sustainability initiatives
Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prince William of the UK discussed their work on globally impactful sustainability initiatives. Sheikh Khaled met Prince William at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. The two were briefed on Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi's...Milaha 2021 profit $199m
The company's profit in 2020 was $16.20 million.Inflation, geopolitics might worsen credit conditions: S&P
The credit ratings agency has said the prospects for global economic growth have softened, even if it was to a modest extent.Covid lockdown in China makes aluminum costlier
The Covid lockdown this week of a relatively unknown Chinese city sent global prices of aluminum rocketing to a 14-year high. Why did the outbreak in Baise spark fears around the world about the key metal?First edition of leading global event on defense to kick off in Saudi
The World Defense Exhibition (WDE) declared that its first edition will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 6-9, 2022, according to media reports. WDE is a leading global event on defense and security. The exhibition will begin with an opening ceremony that includes live demonstrations of the capabilities...Saudi sukuk issuance in 2021 reaches $36.9 billion: S&P Ratings
Saudi companies and government raised $36.9 billion sukuk in 2021, compared to $27 billion in 2020, an increase of 37 percent, and $28.6 billion in 2019, according to S&P Global Ratings In 2021, while the global sukuk issuance reached $$147.4 billion compared with $$148.4 billion in 2020, foreign-currency denominated sukuk...UAE to host International Conference on Space Operations next year
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) announced that it will host the 17th International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2023) for the first time in Gulf region, local media reports said. The conference will be held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE from March 6-10, 2023. Themed...Middle East Energy Event to address future of energy transition
The Middle East Energy Event (formerly Middle East Electricity) will be held at Dubai World Trade Center from 7th-9th March. The event will address the future of the energy transition and discuss the opportunities surrounding green hydrogen in the region, local media reports said. According to a report by consultancy...Second instalment of Sunref energy program launched in Palestine
Bank of Palestine (BOP) and Proparco in cooperation with the EU have jointly announced the signing of Sunref II Green Program after successfully completing Sunref I, local media said. The purpose of SUNREF Green Finance Program is to provide solutions to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for the...IMF and World Bank delay annual meet again
The annual meetings set to take place in Morocco will be held in Washington.Transformation will propel MENA economy: IMF
Major economies in the MENA region have already got the ball rolling when it comes to diversifying their economies.Kuwait Red Crescent Society, ICRC to support relief program for Rohingyas
Kuwait Red Crescent Society and International Committee of the Red Cross will support and implement a relief medical program for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The two organizations signed a cooperation agreement regarding the same on Wednesday. Chairman of KRCS's Board of Directors Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer stressed the importance of...US values the role Kuwait plays as advancer of peace: Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that his country places "tremendous value" on the role that Kuwait plays as an "advancer of peace." Blinken was quoted by local media as saying, "Kuwait plays, an almost unique role that it plays as a facilitator, mediator, advancer of peace and leading...Paramount picks new group CEO
Steve Griessel, the new CEO of the Paramount Group will be providing strategic, financial and operational leadership to the company and will work with the Board of Directors, shareholders and senior leadership team.Islamic Development Bank keen to cooperate for achieving SDGs
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) affirmed that it would work together with all Multilateral Development Banks, International Finance Institutes, and other development partners towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for its member countries. This came during IsDB President Muhammad Al Jasser’s participation in a panel discussion on “A Shared Sustainable...US agency designates three Hezbollah-linked financial facilitators
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three Hezbollah-linked financial facilitators and their Lebanon-based travel company. Specifically, OFAC designated Adel Diab, Ali Mohamad Daoun, Jihad Salem Alame, and their company, Dar Al Salam for Travel & Tourism. This action comes at a time in...GCC seeks closer ties with EU to achieve common interests
During the visit, the secretary-general of the GCC will meet a number of senior officials of the European Union.80 global leaders to address Abu Dhabi Summit ‘virtually’
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit, hosted by Masdar, will take place virtually on Monday, 17th January. The Summit will take place between 1:00pm – 9:00pm GST, and will convene more than 80 global leaders, including heads of state.Dubai eyes top global livability spot
DET and HSBC Bank Middle East have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for increased cooperation in further enhancing Dubai’s position as a global livability destination.Iran, Syria to establish joint free zone, joint bank
Qasemi, who headed a high-ranking delegation to Syria, met with senior officials from Syria.EU expects more GCC investors for its special program: Official
On 12th October 2021, the European Commission issued its first-ever NextGenerationEU green bondUNWTO optimism to cheer up MENA tourism
While the likes of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan depend heavily on tourism for revenue, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are using it to diversify their economy.Masdar and Manchester City to launch climate awareness campaign
Renewable energy company Masdar will become an official partner of Manchester City under an agreement that will see them collaborate in several activities, such as launching a global campaign on the importance of climate action and mitigating climate change. The campaign will coincide with the Masdar-hosted Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week...‘Challenging year ahead for logistics industry’
Companies have used innovative methods to keep their operations running while overcoming numerous challenges linked to Covid-19 pandemic. However, the situation in the air freight market "continues to remain challenging," according to DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa CEO Amadou Diallo.World powers pledge to halt spread of nuclear arms
The statement was issued after the latest review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) — which first came into force in 1970 — was postponed from its scheduled date of January 4 to later in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Factors that may impact oil’s demand-fueled recovery
At the global scale, 56.5 percent of oil reserves and 26.7 percent of natural gas reserves are owned by Arab countries.Russia, Iran eye trade and economic collaboration
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow for discussion over expanding strategic cooperation.Ikea to hike prices by 9%
The hike is due to pandemic-fueled supply-chain snarls.US condemns Houthis’ attacks on Saudi, calls group a threat
The United States has condemned the Houthis' continuous attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that the group is a threat to its allies. US State Department Spokesman Ned Price said in a virtual press conference that Saudi Arabia was able to eliminate about 90% of Houthi attacks, and...Global stocks rise amid optimism Omicron won’t derail recovery
Experts caution against too much optimism around early indications that Omicron causes less severe disease than previous strains, pointing out that it is spreading so fast it could still overwhelm health systems.Abu Dhabi Global Market to begin Monday-Friday workweek from Jan 1
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced that it will commence a Monday to Friday working week from 1 January 2022, with Saturday and Sunday as the universal weekend. ADGM said in a statement that the new working week brings the emirate's business community and financial sector closer to global...Arab League chief urges cooperation to achieve successful Libya elections
Aboul Ghaith pointed to the dangerous juncture that Libya is going through, and said that everyone should join hands and cooperate to achieve Electoral entitlement soon.IMF extends Covid emergency funding by 18 months
The emergency funding was set up to help nations that have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.Covid-19 rules shuttering Hong Kong aviation: Qatar Airways chief
Under Hong Kong's rules, if an airline brings in too many infected passengers on a particular route, it is banned from flying that route for two weeks. Qatar Airways has already been banned five times for that.OPEC Fund announces $352m for global development operations
The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved $352 million for sustainable development operations globally at the organization’s 178th Session of the Governing Board, held virtually on Thursday, media reports said. Members of the Governing Board also reviewed several milestones achieved as part of the OPEC Fund Strategic Framework 2030,...Tunisia’s speaker Ghannouchi rejects extension of parliament freeze
President Kais Saied recently announced the extension of a suspension until Tunisians vote for a replacement assembly in December 2022. Saied said a nationwide public consultation would take place from January 1.UN chief says cross-border aid to Syria rebel bastion vital
The cross-border mechanism has been operating since 2020 through Bab al-Hawa, after the Russian-imposed removal in 2019 of three other access points in Syria.Political divisions, lack of candidates’ list cast shadow on Libya polls
Libya is to hold its first-ever presidential elections late next week, but the lack of a final list of candidates and bitter political divisions have cast doubt on whether they will take place. Polling was intended to mark a transition towards peace, but many now fear it could instead reignite...OECD cuts world growth forecast, warns of Omicron threat
The OECD warned Wednesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant threatens the global economic recovery as it lowered the growth outlook for 2021.