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UAE’s overseas investments surpass $2.5trn mark
Dubai, UAE - The UAE's total assets abroad, encompassing both governmental and private investments, have reached $2.5 trillion as of early 2024. Jamal Bin Saif Al Jarwan, chief of the UAE International Investors Council, said that UAE investments abroad are performing well despite global economic fluctuations. The UAE secured the top...
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Dubai issues law regulating operations of autonomous vehicles
Dubai, UAE - Dubai has issued a law to regulate the operations of autonomous vehicles in the city. The new law aims to accelerate the city's smart mobility transformation, attract investments in the sector and provide a regulatory environment that facilitates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in transportation. The... -
DP World’s overseas logistics investments cross $10bn
Despite global economic slowdown, the firm continues to expand its partnerships and investments, with key focus on Africa and UK. Last year, its investments totalled $320m. -
Sustainable industries key driver of RAK economy
“Ras Al Khaimah has adopted a clear long-term strategy based on establishing a balanced multi-resource economy,” he adds during a visit to a facility of the Kuwait Packaging Materials Manufacturing Company in RAKEZ, noting that the emirate’s economic flexibility has enabled it to adopt sustainable plans that will enhance its... -
Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council reviews growth in bilateral trade and investments
TOKYO, JAPAN - The ninth session of the Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council (ADJEC) here has reaffirmed its commitment to further enhance partnerships and benefits from investments opportunities. Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi and President of Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East... -
Renewables investments record high in 2022, but need massive increase
A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), said although global investment in renewable energy reached a record high of $0.5 trillion in 2022, this still represents less than 40 percent of the average investment needed each year between 2021 and 2030, according to... -
Iraq hopes talks can resolve hitches in US$10bn Total deal
Iraq admitted it had differences with France's TotalEnergies over a US$10-billion contract, including over the distribution of investments, but expressed hope they can be resolved through talks. "We have given ourselves time to continue the dialogue and reach a satisfactory solution for the parties involved regarding certain points of contention,"... -
Fintech prospers as bold debt deals rise in MENA
There is a rise in the interest of foreign investors in the MENA startup ecosystem as their share increased from 20 percent in 2021 to 47 percent in 2022, reports suggest. -
Monetization remains key concern as GCC turns to metaverse for investments, business expansion
The region remains cautious as it takes a strategic approach to invest in the technology by focusing on experimentation and finding suitable business use cases, says an expert. -
Egypt, India launch ‘strategic partnership’ to boost trade
The two leaders agreed to increase Indian investments in Egypt, which currently stand at "over $3.15 billion" according to their statement, including through a potential "dedicated land area for Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone". The economic crisis in Egypt, triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year,... -
Investments in Jordan industrial estates rise 19 percent in 2022
AMMAN, JORDAN - Investments in industrial estates in 2022 hit US$4.2 billion (JD3 billion), an increase of 19 percent compared with 2021, supported by 174 new investments worth US$811 million (JD575 million), the Jordan Industrial Estates Company (JIEC) said on Sunday. In a statement, JIEC noted that 27 of the... -
Energy security key driver of climate investments
The US Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden last year, is the most significant climate pact since the Paris Agreement in 2015, says IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. -
Failed crypto giant FTX has salvaged $5 bn in assets
FTX, once the world's highest profile crypto exchange, collapsed spectacularly in November leaving nine million customers in the lurch and seeing co-founder Bankman-Fried indicted for fraud by US prosecutors. The downfall of FTX and Bankman-Fried's arrest and extradition from the Bahamas sent a shockwave through the crypto industry after a... -
DEWA’s hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is 59 percent complete
DUBAI, UAE - The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) under-construction pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant site in Hatta is 58.48 percent complete. This is the first station of its kind in the GCC, with investments of up to US$387 million (AED 1.421 billion). The project is planned for completion in... -
Saudi Arabia, UAE lowest-risk investment havens in the ‘riskiest’ Middle East and Africa region
The region was ranked the riskiest by the Global Risk Report Quarterly Update. But the GCC region stood out, offering some of the best supporting environments for investors. -
UAE bank investments up to $132bn by September end
According to CBUAE's figures, debt securities accounted for 49.5 percent of these investments, hitting $66 billion. -
Six years later, Saudi King Salman and China’s Xi sign comprehensive strategic partnership agreement
Beijing is ready to expand its crude oil trade with Riyadh and will "list Saudi Arabia as a destination country for outbound tourism organized by Chinese citizens, says Xi Jinping. -
Abu Dhabi Airports, Bombardier to create aircraft hub in UAE
This represents Bombardier’s first full-service facility in UAE. -
Islamic nations seek to turn crisis into opportunity with enhanced relations, trade amidst recession fear
At the 38th Ministerial Session of COMCEC, leaders of Islamic countries discuss ways to enhance bilateral and trade relations to help region and the world evade recession. -
Sustainable food cold chains reduce waste, fight climate change, says UN report
Greater investment in sustainable food cold chains is needed to reduce hunger, provide livelihoods to communities and adapt to climate change, two UN agencies said in a report launched at the COP27 climate change conference underway in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. -
Saudi Ports register 15% growth in October container activity
Container throughput the Kingdom's ports continued its upward year-on-year movement during October 2022, soaring to 694,517 twenty-foot equivalent unit at 15.33 percent from last year’s total of 602,210 TEUs. -
EU warns of retaliation against US electric car subsidies
Paris, France - The European Union threatened Monday to take retaliatory measures against the United States for electric car subsidies that favor domestic manufacturers. The 27-nation bloc is upset about Washington's "Inflation Reduction Act", which will see vast spending on green energy initiatives and includes tax breaks for US-made electric... -
GCC trade with Asia grows, diversifies as the two regions warm up relations with frequent talks, visits
Several factors are at play when it comes to strengthening relations between GCC and Asian countries. TRENDS looks at all of them and gives them a perspective. -
DEWA adds 600MW of clean energy production capacity
DUBAI, UAE - MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said DEWA had added 300 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy in 2022 from the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The Solar... -
Deploying every new technology isn’t advisable
We don’t need to jump into every bandwagon. We need to understand our security needs first and act accordingly. Your cyber security investments will only be worthwhile if you and your employees are willing to commit to it on a long-term basis and follow good practices to ensure complete cyber... -
GCC, S. Korea begin sixth round of talks on free trade agreement
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - The sixth round of revived negotiations between the Riyadh-based Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Republic of Korea to reach a free trade agreement was launched in the South Korean capital of Seoul Tuesday and lasts until October 28. The two sides expressed readiness to advance... -
UAE-UK partnership may unlock potential of clean hydrogen, boost economy, create 200,000 new jobs
The latest WGEO study is part of "our efforts to support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 percent of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050", adds Chairman Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer. -
High investments in H1 2022 for DEWA transmission substations
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recorded substantial growth of 22 percent in investments allocated to transmission substations during the first half of 2022, compared to the same period last year. -
Dubai Customs issues authorization certificates to free zone companies
Dubai Customs provides the services and facilities to licensed companies in the free zones of the Emirate to boost investments and attract more investors. -
DEWA invites proposals for work on sixth phase of solar park
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has invited international developers to send their Expressions of Interest (EOI) to implement the sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. -
Multiply Group buys 80% of IEH
Firm aims to expand its utilities, energy investments. -
UAE to develop international maritime network
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) announced the launch of the "UAE Maritime Network". -
UAE, Japan sign comprehensive strategic partnership pact
Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy to Japan Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber and the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida have signed the UAE-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. -
GCC banks look at pre-Covid profitability level
Earnings of many Gulf banks may hit nearly pre-pandemic levels by the year end, owing to high oil prices and rising interest rates that will support their creditworthiness. -
Dubai’s real estate builds on AI to boost sales
Investors and brokers are becoming more confident as the emirates's innovative systems keep tabs on the skyscrapers and the units available for housing and renting. -
Aramco says global energy transition goals unrealistic
Oil giant Saudi Aramco's chief blasted "unrealistic" energy transition plans, calling for a "new global energy consensus", including ramped-up investments in fossil fuels to address painful shortages. Speaking at a conference in Switzerland, Amin Nasser lamented a "deep misunderstanding" of what caused the current energy crunch. -
UAE, Serbian Presidents discuss bilateral relations
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, cooperation between their countries and prospects for enhancing it to advance their mutual interests. The talks took place during a meeting held between the two leaders at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. -
Business reforms enhance Saudi growth prospects
Prioritizing labor market reforms, boosting employment and ease of doing business is likely to make the Kingdom one of the world’s fastest-growing economies this year, says expert. -
There’s light at the end of the tunnel for tech stocks
However, there are numerous economic sectors where tech penetration remains in its infancy, such as in logistics, e-commerce and supply chains, which retain enormous growth potential irrespective of recession risks, and in many cases can be accelerated by cost concerns, Deschamps adds. -
French business ties build on Saudi mega projects
Recent strategic Saudi-French partnership deal becomes crucial as Paris, with its expertise in key sectors, may help the Kingdom in achieving the goals set under Vision 2030. -
‘Crypto winter’ fails to dampen confidence of investors
Even as the interest in crypto remains more or less steady, and investors are still keen to buy in, it’s crucial that anyone looking to invest their hard-earned capital into crypto - particularly retail and first timers - exercise caution and look for a handful things before plunging into the... -
Crises put Gulf investments in Sri Lanka at stake
The region has invested billions of dollars across sectors in the South Asian nation as recent past witnessed an expansion in economic and trade relations between the two sides. -
European Union spent $305 billion on environmental issues in 2021
The European Union's expenditure in 2021 on environmental protection, investments and consumption amounted to €292 billion ($305.4 bn), said Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. The expenditure has risen by over 3 percent on average each year, with a total increase of 54 percent since 2006. Also, the expenditure... -
Saudi Chambers, French group to cooperate in entertainment sector
The Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the Saudi-French Business Council, will host a key French delegation representing the entertainment sector, on Monday. It is likely to discuss prospects of the Saudi-French cooperation in the entertainment sector and relevant fields and address means to enhance investments. This also includes commercial... -
Qatar Chamber signs deal with Spanish firms to promote trade
Qatar Chamber signed a deal with two Spanish organizations by which it seeks to enhance economic, commercial and trade cooperation with Spain. The two Spanish organizations are Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, according to Qatari media reports. Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa... -
Dubai: A Monaco in the making in the Gulf region
Dubai is among cities that woo huge FDIs and lead in technology transfer in startups, AI and robotics sectors. TRENDS analyzes how it has become Monaco of the region. -
EU looks to build a strategic partnership with GCC
GCC Secretary-General, Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, had welcomed the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell’s announcement of the adoption of joint working paper of the European Parliament and the European Commission -
GCC ready to deal with global inflation, sectoral shifts
However, Hamade believes that the markets in the Gulf region are better prepared to navigate the economic headwinds given the proactive stance they have witnessed across the sectors attracting foreign direct investments, relocation of businesses, and even market sentiment. -
ADQ to fund investments worth more than $4 billion in Greece
ADQ will work with the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), the national development bank of Greece, and Hellenic Development Bank of Investments (HDBI), the Sovereign Fund of Funds of Greece. -
Physical security adds to digital transformation
Cybercrime has risen to the forefront of physical security concerns. And big firms are acutely aware of the problem, says Ephrem Tesfai from Genetec tells TRENDS. -
Jordan and UAE groups join hands to develop beach project
Jordan Free and Development Zones Group Director Arwa Hiyari said the beach project is aimed at diversifying tourism.