Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-founder of AHOY and co-founder of Actual VC, speaks to TRENDS about risk, capital efficiency, and building scalable ventures in MENA.

True global leadership is forged through sustained, face-to-face dialogue, cross-cultural immersion, and relationships that transcend digital convenience and headline-driven narratives.

Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and scalable commercial growth.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the gaming surge with world-class ecosystems and youth-driven expansion. Across the region, governments increasingly recognize gaming and esports as key drivers of future economies.

In Saudi Arabia, more than 60 percent of the population is under 30, and across the GCC, over 50 percent was under 25 in 2021. This demographic strength is shaping the foundation of the region’s emerging knowledge economy.

AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have a very difficult time finding a job in the future, says Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist and Development Officer at IDeaS.

Moving forward, lower oil revenues will continue to pose challenges to the Saudi economy and its overall targets. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Saudi Arabia faces a new test: how to sustain reform momentum in an era of potentially lower oil revenues without slipping back...

The latest visit of the Canadian PM is a part of his efforts to find new markets for his nation’s products and forge sustainable trade relations outside of North America.

Digital sovereignty, in my view, is no longer a technical concept — it’s a cornerstone of national independence and strategic stability, says Lt. Colonel Al Shebli in an interview to GISEC GLOBAL

In Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, digital content creation is a key pillar of economic transformation, and Qatar National Vision 2030 too  identifies digital creators as essential for building a knowledge-based economy

Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Premium, Midscale, and Economy Division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Accor, spells out the Group's motto of "pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures with heartfelt care."

The region, fueled by ambition and massive investment, is rapidly advancing in technology and infrastructure, aiming to secure a leading role in the 4IR.

The burgeoning creator economy presents an unprecedented opportunity for GCC to outpace global cities and establish itself as the epicenter of next-generation content, said Julien Hawari, CEO Million.

AI systems exceeding human capabilities across all fields could render many jobs obsolete in a decade, Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley told TRENDS in an exclusive interview.

With few days remaining to vote in the US election, two major liberal American newspapers have decided not to endorse the Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, MD of Canon Middle East and Turkey, highlights the significance of remanufacturing and refurbishment for reducing environmental impact, in an interview with TRENDS.

It presents a more cost-effective alternative to conventional sovereign bonds, particularly for governments with lower credit ratings, a report has said.

UAE ascends to 8th on Kearney's 2024 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, affirming its appeal as a prime investment haven, spurred by diversification initiatives and superior infrastructure.

Clean hydrogen could be bigger than the oil and gas economy for the region, says Jo Bamford, chairman of HYCAP, which invests in net zero and hydrogen economy.

The financial sector plays vital role in the Kingdom's economy, with a 9.5% surge in operating income and 10.9% increase in non-interest income in FY 2023, says a report.

The ongoing fasting month brings traditional practices and modern shopping habits together, impacting market trends significantly in the Gulf region.

The surge of three GCC nations in the Global Soft Power Index, with UAE leading with a perfect economy score, highlights their global influence and reputation enhancements.

The country's banking sector emerges stronger, showcasing resilience and profitability with a notable 54.1% increase in net income, says a latest report.

The consumer products sector enjoys tremendous growth, with retail sales value for the industry globally rising by close to 10 percent year on year in 2023, says a report.

As the West Bank grapples with its worst economic crisis in two decades, sparked by Israel's ban on Palestinian day laborers, poverty and despair escalate.

Retailers in the region are relying on card-linked offers, utilizing data analytics, mobile apps, and blockchain to enhance engagement and personalize shopping experiences.

For EU leaders, it is their way or the highway as the wealthy, powerful bloc seeks to tame opposition and browbeat defiant countries and individuals into submission.

Strategic initiatives and a focus on domestic tourism help Saudi Arabia's tourism sector experience unprecedented growth, positioning it as a future global travel leader.

The 2024 outlook for GCC IPO markets shows strong potential with diversified sector participation, bolstered by government support for both state-owned and private offerings.

Egypt begins 2024 with steep increases in essential services' prices, exacerbating the economic strain on its citizens amidst a broader economic crisis.

The Middle East's oil and gas sector also stays on hit list of of cyberattackers, Trellix CEO Bryan Palma tells TRENDS, stressing the need for widespread cybersecurity investments.

Amidst an electric vehicle market boom, a looming global shortage of crucial minerals such as lithium and cobalt threatens to double metal prices. The region expects to benefit from it.

The Gulf real estate sector demonstrates remarkable resilience, buoyed by strategic economic diversification and a focus on sustainable and innovative urban development.

MENA countries, adopting ambitious clean energy and transportation strategies, aim for significant hydrogen production by 2050, led by UAE's National Hydrogen Strategy.

This year, the GCC region has solidified its technological leadership, with AI, blockchain, and the metaverse leading the charge in transforming various sectors.

The Israel-Hamas conflict not only threatens regional stability but also poses significant economic challenges for MENA nations, says Fitch Ratings.

Reeling from a calamitous drop in advertisement revenues and public trust, news media organizations are reworking strategies to create "niche" content.

Global coalition and trillions of dollars are required to prevent escalating human deaths due to climate change, Dr. Shyam Bishen of the World Economic Forum tells TRENDS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Riyadh underscores the deepening economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

COP28 UAE provides a crucial chance to reevaluate and intensify efforts, as experts urge pragmatic energy transition strategies to meet the 2030 emissions reduction target.

Billions of dollars are being invested into ventures to grow food in the GCC to make the arid, hot region self-sufficient, in a sector vulnerable to the vagaries of war, climate and disease.

A first of its kind in the region, the combination will offer consumers digital services of the best and latest in premium movies, TV shows, music, podcasts.

War with Palestinians disrupts Israel's gas exports, causing economic losses and altering energy strategies.

Middle East tensions likely to spur a mild global recession, with oil potentially hitting $120-$150 per barrel, says a latest report by Oxford Economics.

Some world leaders like Turkey's President Erdogan use the term genocide to describe Israeli actions in Gaza. Israel has also been accused of war crimes by rights organizations.

The Gulf country's ascent to the top of regional EV preparedness rankings and seventh position globally marks a significant stride towards its 2050 carbon neutrality goals.

From L'Oréal's controversy involving model Amena Khan to Chanel's significant financial pledge, the fashion industry is deeply entwined in political discourse amid Gaza conflict.

The Kingdom, with its passion for sports and tech, is set to reshape the competitive gaming landscape by hosting the world's premier Electronic Sports World Cup from 2024.

Qatar plans a 60% boost in liquefied gas production by 2027 through North Field expansion, tapping the world's most substantial gas reservoir with 50.97trn cubic meters.

As Israel grapples with the surprise Hamas action and global community gauges economic ramifications, the future of Israel's relations with its neighbors hangs in the balance.