In recent years, the Middle East and China have fortified economic ties, with the former supplying half of latter's oil and sealing a landmark 27-year LNG deal with Qatar.

With a prolonged internal conflict anticipated and both the military and economy showing signs of strain, Israel's regional standing is being affected, say experts.

Smart FM solution providers such as CBRE optimize FM workflows with virtual maintenance, automated maintenance, and dynamic services, focusing on energy conservation

Launched amidst the pandemic, Marco Tedeschi's venture seamlessly blended traditional watchmaking with modern technology, collaborating with major brands to achieve success.

Amid Russian-Ukrainian war, Europe aims to diversify its energy sources, with Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia offering alternative natural gas options.

The latest technology is poised to transform the industrial sector, with a market expected to reach $400 billion by 2030, potentially exceeding $1 trillion, says a report.

Through the COP28 Summit, the UAE aims to facilitate discussions, build consensus, and catalyze transformative actions to address the escalating global climate crisis.

While rising EV demand may cause a global shortage of metals like cobalt and lithium by 2030, the Gulf region's vast resources position it as a potential recycling leader.

Saudi Arabia is expected to lead the growth, with a CAGR of 1.6 percent, while Kuwait and the UAE are projected to experience faster growth rates compared to other member nations

Key global reports list Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Jeddah among the world's least expensive cities for living. TRENDS finds out the cost of living in other cities of the Kingdom.

Trade between GCC and ASEAN doubles, marking a new economic collaboration era as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and UAE enhance ties by signing Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The highest quarterly project awards value in over five years showcases the region's determination for diversification, and reflects the strength of GCC economies.

Arab universities are increasingly focusing on quality and research, and many of them are making efforts to internationalize their programs.

The GCC gaming industry, bolstered by Saudi Arabia's $38 billion investment, is poised for significant growth that may make it a global leader by 2030, says an expert.

Both countries attract a high level of foreign investment, which provides capital for their banking sectors. The UAE is the second-largest FDI recipient in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia is the largest one in the region.

The Kingdom has the highest economic growth among the G20 countries in 2022, driven by strong oil production and non-oil sector growth, says the latest IMF report.

Government initiatives, such as the national e-commerce strategy and consumer protection regulations, are playing a key role in facilitating the shift in consumers' choice, says a report.

OPEC-agreed oil output cuts, non-oil sector slowdown due to higher rates, and weaker external demand may act as potential setbacks for UAE's economy, says a report.

Amid rapid tech growth and rising environmental concerns, understanding the current automotive industry trends, especially in luxury, is vital, says Dr Manfred Bräunl of Porsche.

Its transformative power to reshape life has left people awestruck across the world, but the technology that powers ChatGPT might put at risk about 10 million jobs in the GCC.

Factors contributing to the slowdown include the aftermath of SVB crisis, Eid and Easter holidays, and the global decrease in investment in tech startups due to Ukraine war.

The TRENDS poll highlights the need to invest in transportation infrastructure, streamline customs procedures, and improve warehousing and distribution capabilities.

The relocation of the spacecraft was supported by the Mission Control Centre at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, SpaceX in California, and monitored by the MBRSC team.

Rallying of gold prices and growing concern about a potential global banking crisis are seen as key reasons for the increased allocations, says a latest global report.

TRENDS Twitter poll suggests 48% candidates face discrimination during job recruitment process in the Gulf region, while 30% do not, and 22% remain unsure.

Most of the participants, in the poll from as far away as Egypt and Lebanon, picked up Dubai to celebrate the festival in, with Doha coming at a distant second.

The UAE is likely to remain the top e-commerce market in the GCC in 2023 but Saudi represents the largest potential growth over the medium and long term.

The annual expansion of more than 100 fuel stations in the Gulf countries add around US$500,000 per day to companies' revenues in each country in the region, say experts.

Demand for technologies including 5G, AI, ML, IoT, and advanced data analytics will continue to rise in the UAE this year, du CEO Fahad Al Hassawi tells TRENDS.

Over the next decade, the Kingdom's tourism industry is projected to develop at an annual rate of 11 percent, making it the region's fastest-growing tourism market.

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.

Non-Gulf countries' contributions to the digital economy in the region will increase to more than 35 percent during this time, says a latest report.

A survey published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia says poverty levels can reach 36 percent of the total population in 2024.

The Gulf country expects the average amount of oil production to increase to 2,701,000 barrels this year, the latest Institute of International Finance report points out.

The region's SWFs more than doubled their investments in Western economies to $51.6 billion in 2022 from $21.8 billion a year earlier, says the latest Global SWF report.

The year 2022 witnessed several deals involving Gulf nations and leading natural gas consumer countries that seek to secure their LNG supplies in both near and distant future.

A recently reached Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement has further enhanced the historical friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and China.

Banks come second after governments in terms of digital trust since over 60% believe they keep consumers' data confidential, while only 50% trust retailers in the region.

With 283 deals worth $23.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2022, the region’s M&A activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels, a BCG report has highlighted.

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.

Industry experts stress the need for harnessing the momentum the industry has gained after the recovery from Covid setbacks.

With data doubling in size every two years, effective info processing, analysis tools and storage technologies are required along with a defined digital strategy, says an expert.

Both employers and employees stand to benefit from the UAE's recent labor law amendments, Ben Brown, Partner at the law firm Addleshaw Goddard, tells TRENDS.

High inflation and the West's sanctions on Russia for its Ukraine invasion besides the supply chain disruptions caused by China's intermittent Covid-19 restrictions intensify the decline.

Post Covid, professionals are reviewing and updating their skills to stay competitive in the job market where remote work ha becoming increasingly popular, says a report.

A high number of residential and commercial units delivered in 2022 means tenant retention will become more critical, and rental rates across all major assets are expected to rise.

According to a TRENDS poll, fear of being robbed online by fraudsters prowling on the web is keeping many MENA buyers from making their purchase online.

Crypto betting in sports has become a booming market due to the increasing number of sports fans and their desire to wager on athletes and tournaments.

MENA residents' satisfaction and expectations about how services can and should be delivered have been radically altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a PWC estimate, the MENA region's blockchain market would reach $3.2 billion by 2024, and the UAE is working to become a major player in the field.