MENA Outlook: Diversification, AI, and economic integration take centre stage
As the region pivots toward a post-oil future, recent developments across the Middle East and North Africa suggest an accelerating shift—driven by policy ambition, digital reform, and investment recalibration.
UAE central bank cash deposits up by 10.2% in Oct to $187 billion
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) said Thursday cash deposits surged to AED 687.2 billion ($187.2 billion) this October, marking a substantial annual increase of 10.2 percent, or AED 63.7 billion, compared to AED 623.5 billion in October 2022.The Central Bank's cash aggregates statistics reveal...US pushes naval coalition as Yemen rebels vow to attack more ships
The United States pushed to build up a multinational naval task force to protect a key global shipping lane from Yemen's Houthi rebels.. The Iran-backed Houthis say their missile and drone strikes on passing container ships are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war raging between Israel and Hamas...Sharjah’s ‘Mleiha’ and ‘Al Dhaid’ added to Islamic World Heritage
Sharjah, UAE - The Islamic World Heritage Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) added the Mleiha archaeological site and Al Dhaid Fort and Falaj to the List of the Islamic World Heritage.The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has completed the nomination dossier of the Mleiha archaeological...Bayanat, Yahsat to merge
It will benefit from revenue synergies, economies of scale.15% increase in air traffic at UAE airports during COP28, says GCAA
ABU DHABI, UAE – Airports in the country witnessed a 15 percent increase in air traffic during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) held at Expo City Dubai, said Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi.In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM),...ENEC announces completion of Unit 4 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAE's independent nuclear regulator, recently issued the Operating License for Unit 4 to Nawah. This milestone takes the UAE one step closer to full fleet operations at Barakah, the largest single source of clean electricity in the region. Once operational, Unit 4,...79% UAE employees think digital skills crucial for success
Dubai, UAE – About 79 percent of UAE employees believe digital skills are crucial for business success, and 84 percent feel that new technologies are empowering them to reach their potential, according to a latest ServiceNow survey . The survey, which included over 5,500 working adults from the UAE, France, Germany,...Aldar ties up with Yellow Door Energy
They will supply solar power to 45 properties in the UAE.UAE, South Korea look to deepen collaboration in water sector
Dubai, UAE-- The UAE and South Korea Korea are looking to boost ties in the water sector and in this regard the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) received a delegation from Korea’s Ministry of Environment to discuss the latest developments and share experiences in the sector.As part of the...UAE, Oman, Qatar seen as top 2024 property investment destinations
Dubai, UAE – Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, have secured top positions for residential property investment in 2024, the inaugural "Housearch Investment Index" highlighted in its report. The trend underscores the region's appeal as a stable and reliable investment haven, especially amidst cooling property markets in...Navigating the rising tide of cyber threats in GCC
"Critical infrastructure organizations are distinct from other enterprises; their downfall could bring entire sectors of the economy down with them. It is hoped that in the coming year, the industrial control system's security will receive the comprehensive overhaul it so urgently requires," adds Selcuk.UAE issues federal decree on regulating electronic, digital media
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE Government has issued a federal decree which aims to regulate and organize media in the UAE.The decree also aims to promote the UAE as a global media hub and establish an enabling environment to catalyze the growth and prosperity of the sector.The provisions of...GCC media outlets think outside the box to stay afloat
Reeling from a calamitous drop in advertisement revenues and public trust, news media organizations are reworking strategies to create "niche" content.UAE ranks first in Middle East, 4th globally as remote work destination
Dubai, UAE -- The UAE has ranked first in the Middle East and fourth globally as a leading destination for remote work, according to a new ranking by VisaGuide.World.The VisaGuide.World website specialises in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of visa systems.The website also measures countries' progress in providing a conducive...UAE, Kazakhstan sign MoU to combat financial crimes
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN – UAE and the Republic of Kazakhstan signed an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in the combating of financial crimes.UAE’s Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (EO AML/CTF) and the Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan (FMA) have formally inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The MoU...UAE leads humanitarian efforts in Gaza, seeks truce
"The Gulf country will continue its efforts to achieve peace through tangible steps and a roadmap for a two-state solution. This solution envisions an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and negotiated between the two parties with full international backing," he adds.UAE, Turkey explore ways to enhance bilateral relations
Abu Dhabi, UAE - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral ties with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey.The two explored boosting cooperation to achieve further prosperity for the UAE and Turkey, local media reports said.Al Nahyan and Erdogan also exchanged views on various regional and international...ADQ and Azerbaijan’s AIH set up joint-investment platform
Abu Dhabi, UAE--ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH), a strategic sovereign wealth fund located in Baku, have announced the formation of a joint venture with the aim of investing in sectors of mutual priority and interest, such as agriculture, technology, pharmaceuticals and energy...UAE to strengthen digital infrastructure in Azerbaijan
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE and Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure in Azerbaijan with a focus on the development of data centers. The MoU was signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment of the UAE, and Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of...IEA boss says COP28 bid farewell to fossil fuels
PARIS, FRANCE - While the UN's COP28 climate summit marked a pivot moment, when the world pledged to say "goodbye" to fossil fuels, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol told AFP on Friday, it needs to now urgently boost finance for the energy transition in developing countries.Birol welcomed the landmark agreement...ADNOC to buy stake in Fertiglobe
ADNOC to buy OCI’s entire shareholding in Fertiglobe.ENEC, CNNC sign MoU
Both the firms will offer their expertise in the sector.Dubai records $3.51 billion in weeklong real estate deals
Dubai, UAE -- The real estate and properties transactions valued at 12.9 billion ($3.51 billion) in total during the week ending 15 December 2023. The sum of transactions was 3,888.A total 304 plots were sold for AED 3.53 billion, 2,744 apartments and villas were sold for AED 7.15 billion. The top...UAE GDP set to double in 2024 from oil and non-oil boost: report
Dubai, UAE - The UAE’s GDP is expected to double in 2024 to 4.8%, up from 2.4% year-on-year in 2023, according to the latest Economic Insight report commissioned by ICAEW and compiled by Oxford Economics. While near-term growth may face constraints due to OPEC+ production quotas, the UAE's higher reference...Gulf expects no change in oil export despite deal at COP28
Dubai, UAE - An agreement to "transition away" from fossil fuels may be a landmark moment but don't expect quick changes among the major producers of the Gulf, where the deal was hammered out.After the UN's COP28 climate talks in Dubai, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman immediately played down...Tabreed gets US$163m Green Revolving Credit Facility
ABU DHABI, UAE - Tabreed on Thursday announced the successful closure of its inaugural US$163 million (AED600 million) Green Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) as the Green Coordinator, alongside Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and Emirates NBD.This financing agreement, spanning five years, aligns...ADCB, EIH sign agreement
ADCB to sell 80 percent stake in ADCP to Nine Yards Plus.UAB concludes $200m term loan
Proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes.GCC countries follow US Federal Reserve’s lead in holding interest rates
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Central Banks of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have chosen to maintain their current interest rates, in a coordinated move echoing the US Federal Reserve's recent decision, underlining a synchronized approach to monetary policy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.UAE's Monetary Policy StanceThe...Andalusia Labs secures $48m funding
The company deals in risk management infrastructure for digital assets.GCC media outlets think outside the box to stay afloat
Reeling from a calamitous drop in advertisement revenues and public trust, news media organizations are reworking strategies to create "niche" content.World Bank to expand climate funding in MENA by $10 billion
Brhane said the World Bank integrated climate into all its work across the MENA region and is on track to align 100 percent of new operations with the goals of the Paris Agreement.G42’s split from China could spur other GCC firms to follow suit
Dubai, UAE - With the UAE-based G42's decision to align with US directives by severing ties with Chinese tech partners early this month, the spotlight now shifts to the actions anticipated from other technology firms across the GCC region. The question now is whether more companies in the region will...Nasdaq Dubai lists Philippines ‘ROP Sukuk Trust’ worth US$1bn
Dubai, UAE--Nasdaq Dubai has welcomed the first Sukuk listing by the Republic of the Philippines, "ROP Sukuk Trust", underscoring the exchange's reputation as the preferred choice for sovereign issuances.The Republic of the Philippines has chosen Nasdaq Dubai to list its maiden sukuk worth US$1 billion of Trust Certificates due in...CBUAE joins the Gulf payments system AFAQ
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) joined AFAQ Payments System, which is operated by the Gulf Payments Company (GPC) and owned by the GCC Central Banks. “AFAQ”, a system linking payment systems in GCC countries, offers the service of executing financial transactions in local currencies to customers...Digitalization has high environmental costs, says UNCTAD meet
DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate action and its environmental costs. Data-driven technologies like the Internet of Things, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance climate change monitoring, optimize energy use and production processes, and promote...Global trade likely to decline in 2023 due to changing trade patterns, geopolitics
DUBAI, UAE - The outlook for 2024 remains “highly uncertain and generally pessimistic,” UNCTAD says in the Global Trade Update, citing factors like ongoing geopolitical tensions, escalating debt and widespread economic fragility.Other elements weighing on trade include lower demand in developed countries, less trade in East Asia, an uptick in...COP28 goes into overtime as negotiators wrestle over fossil fuel
COP28 has debated a historic first-ever global "phase-out" from oil, gas and coal, the main culprits in a planetary crisis of warming. A draft put forward on Monday by COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber fell well short, instead presenting reductions in fossil fuels as one of several options.UAE, Korean firms ink pact
The partnership will utilize low-cost indoor farming solution.PureHealth offer price $0.89 per share
The IPO witnesses demand of over AED 265bn ($72.15bn).Google releases the top trending searches of the year in MENA
Dubai, UAE - Google on Monday released the top trending searches of 2023 for the Middle East and North Africa. The annual lists reveal the most trending search queries which experienced a higher volume of search over a sustained period in 2023 compared to 2022. The lists included the top...Silal and MBZUAI sign MoU
The agreement will bring AI innovation to food production.Protecting nature may avert $2.7trn global economic losses: World Bank
Dubai, UAE-- Protecting nature could avert global economic losses by 2030 of US$2.7 trillion per year, or 2.3 percent annually, according to Valerie Hickey, Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy at the World Bank.Speaking to media at COP28, she said that low-income countries could lose around 10...Netanyahu’s political survival at stake amid Gaza crisis
Israeli PM confronts one of the most challenging periods of his tenure as it intensifies military actions in Gaza amid mounting casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis.PM issues law forming Dubai Investment Fund to oversee government investments
DUBAI, UAE – Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No. (25) of 2023 establishing the Dubai Investment Fund as an independent public entity operating on a commercial basis.The law also endows the Fund with the financial and administrative independence...ENEC, X-energy sign agreement
The firms will collaborate on nuclear energy technologies.EasyLease buys 60% stake in Fully Charged
Fully Charged has expertise in EV charging technology.ITFC looks to ramp up green financing to 30% of its portfolio
Dubai, UAE-- The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is looking to ramp up its sustainable and green financing to nearly 30% of its total financing portfolio.This was stated by Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the ITFC, affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank Group.Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM)...UN climate talks home in on fossil fuel deal
Negotiators have failed to produce a new draft agreement since the last text was released on Friday. The document includes four different paths out of fossil fuels, but it also has a fifth option: leaving the issue out of the final deal.Cloud security challenges haunt firms in UAE and KSA
Rapid cloud adoption in the two GCC countries is accompanied by increased security risks, leading to costly data breaches, reveals a latest study by Illumio.