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Alicia Buller

Comment editor

Alicia is a seasoned business journalist, editor and presenter with over 15 years experience based in the Middle East and the UK. As launch editor of Dubai-based Gulf Business and London-founded AGBI, today she pens and commissions articles illuminating Mena as one of the world’s most dynamic, nuanced and exciting economies. Passionate about the role of technology in sustainably transforming societies, she has previously written for Reuters, The National, the UK Department of Trade, Wired and Computer Weekly.

Alicia Buller

Gulf business insights from 2022 and what to expect in 2023

In the context of the Ukraine war, the energy crisis, rising inflation and supply chain issues, the past year was certainly one of challenges and lessons for companies. Here, a selection of AGBI columnists and Gulf entrepreneurs reveal their business insights from 2022 and what they are looking forward to in the year ahead. Chris […]

Suit, Formal Wear, Clothing

Nick Candy eyes Dubai and Saudi… ‘for work and pleasure’

British billionaire property magnate Nick Candy is all lit up on our Zoom call, speaking from his family office in Mayfair, London. “Dubai… I just love it,” he says, of the emirate he visits at least once a month – sometimes with his actor wife Holly Valance and their two daughters, but also to attend […]

Queen Elizabeth II rides her horse on the grounds of Windsor Castle

Queen’s love of horses forged bond with Sheikh Mohammed

As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, she bequeaths a monumental global legacy as a head of state.  But beyond the pomp, ceremony and duty, she also leaves an indelible mark – just as close to her heart – on the equestrian world. Fittingly, when the Queen turned 96 in April, she […]

Wealthy families from the Gulf still like the idea of a second home in London

Britain’s plunging pound rattles Middle Eastern investors

As Britain battles multiple headwinds of an unstable parliament, spiking inflation and a weakened sterling, global investors have taken note. The pound fell to two-year lows against the dollar this month – trading below $1.19 at one point – and Middle Eastern investors are now looking to spread their UK risk, a senior executive at the […]

US president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid are delighted to have signed the security pledge at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem

Biden’s ‘Jerusalem Declaration’ could slash UAE-Iran trade

The US and Israel pledged today to deny Iran nuclear weapons – a move that could dissuade global trade partners from dealing with Tehran, experts have said. The freshly united stance from US president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid represents a rare show of unity by allies long divided over Iran diplomacy. The […]

Crowd, Person, Human

The Biden-Saudi dilemma: To arm or not to arm?

The Biden administration is reportedly discussing lifting its ban on US sales of arms to Saudi Arabia, but whether the decision is actioned remains to be seen. The internal US deliberations are informal and “at an early stage”, with no decision imminent, four sources told Reuters. But as US president Joe Biden prepares for a […]

Edward Lister, former aide to Boris Johnson, wants discussions to be far-reaching
  • Exclusive

UK-GCC talks must extend beyond tariffs, say top diplomats

The newly-commenced free trade agreement talks between the UK and the GCC have been welcomed by senior diplomats. Lord Udny-Lister, co-chair of the UAE-UK Business Council and a former strategic advisor to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, hailed the FTA discussions as “great news”, but called for a wide and nuanced set of agreements that […]

Ukraine and Gulf announce diplomatic and economic alliance

Ukraine, the Gulf bloc and the Organisation of lslamic Cooperation (OIC) announced on Tuesday the establishment of a special Advisory Council.  The Council, headed by the Ukraine President’s Office and Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will focus on political, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and the Middle East. The Head of the President’s […]

Apple's market capitalisation was over $10bn less than Saudi Aramco's

Aramco takes bite out of Apple as world’s most valuable company

Saudi Aramco overtook US tech giant Apple as the world’s most valuable company yesterday, fuelled by a rise in oil prices   The same global economic drivers that are buoying the energy company’s profits are adding to an inflation surge, dampening demand for technology stocks. Aramco traded near its highest level on record, with a market capitalisation […]

Tie, Accessories, Accessory

Who is Lord Udny-Lister?

Edward Julian Udny-Lister is a special adviser to the UK government, a political strategist and former politician.  One of Boris Johnson’s closest aides, Udny-Lister served as Downing Street chief of staff from 2019 to 2021, primarily advising on strategy. He was the deputy mayor of London for policy and planning between 2011 and 2016 – […]

UK-Gulf deal will be ‘tough nut to crack,’ says top Johnson ally

The co-chairman of the UAE-UK Business Council and former chief strategic adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the upcoming UK-Gulf trade agreements could be delayed but bilateral opportunities remain immense Lord Udny-Lister, co-chairman of the UAE-UK Business Council and one of Boris Johnson’s closest political allies, cuts a distinguished figure amid the sumptuous surroundings […]