Investment as a concept is getting a whole new meaning in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Keeping in view the investment opportunities and the arising challenges in the region, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) organized Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh (October 24 to 26). The world’s most powerful investors, business…
At a time when most of the industries are undergoing traumatic times in the wake of slow global economy and diminishing oil prices, one industry that is looking forward to have good times in 2017 is Middle East’s hospitality sector. Industry experts are expecting opening up on new avenues in this sector, which will be…
Soon after the collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2008, which triggered the global financial crisis and eventually led to the mother of all recessions, many people started to blame bankers for excessive and irresponsible lending, and for “not getting it right”. While this was partly true – or represents half the truth –…
As Saudi Arabia prepares to celebrate its 86th National Day on September 23, the mood of the citizens is upbeat as they witness rapid changes that promise to change the landscape of the Kingdom. Under the able leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia is marching ahead – and, by all accounts, the coming…
Mr President, let us start with an update on the situation in Afghanistan and how you see its evolution in 2016. This year is going to be a challenge because a number of drivers of conflicts that are regional and global will be there. And, for that, we have a framework of cooperation globally. What…
Abdul Latif Jameel, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial enterprises, has declared plans to invest close to US$ 2bn in the country over the next five years, with US$ 0.5bn already earmarked for 2016. This series of new investments to be spread across automotive, real estate, logistics and financial services sectors, is part of the…
Senior finance and investment professionals from the GCC region seem to possess a rather gloomy economic outlook for 2016. Low oil prices, regional conflict and the slowing Chinese economy, followed by a real prospect of taxes, are seen by them as key factors that could affect economic growth. According to a poll by the CFA…
TECOM Group has announced an investment of AED60 million to set up a new innovation center for media start-ups and entrepreneurs, part of its wider goal to spend AED4.5 billion on new innovation-driven initiatives. Christened in5 Media, this center, located in the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), will provide support and development for up to…
More investment in financial technology is required to improve the overall experience of the customers in the GCC, says an advisory firm. Financial technology (FinTech) “ecosystems” in the United States and Europe have proven to stimulate technological innovation that is necessary to develop efficient financial markets and systems and improve the overall customer experience. Although…
Institutional investors are increasingly interested in putting their money into social impact, but a gap remains between them and the people on the ground. Scale has always been a challenge for impact investors. Both users and providers of capital suffer from size issues: The kinds of problems being solved on the ground, while noble and…
