Tourism Tourism rebound brings spot of light to lessen gloom for Egypt Egyptian tourism performed strongly in the final quarter of 2022 – and this could have “a multiplier effect” for the country’s economy, analysts have said. Hotel occupancy in Cairo has continued to rebound despite Egypt’s economic challenges, according to the latest report by real estate consultancy JLL. The average occupancy rate for January to November […] January 30, 2023
Tourism Saudi outpaces neighbours as prime tourist destination In the space of only three years, Saudi Arabia has been transformed into the biggest Arab market for international tourists. Religious tourism has traditionally been one of the few ways visitors could enter the kingdom, with 2019 records revealing 9.5 million pilgrims visited the holy cities of Mecca and Medina between the Hajj and Umrah. […] January 26, 2023
Analysis Tech and startups will drive future UAE and India trade growth Growing opportunities in manufacturing, agtech, food processing, healthtech and fintech will support future growth in bilateral trade between the UAE and India. While petroleum products and jewellery remain the most exported goods from India to Dubai as trade is set to touch $88 billion for the current fiscal year, the relationship is changing, with officials […] January 25, 2023
Analysis Banking & Finance Bargain buys and law reforms tipped to drive deal-making When Oman Qatar Insurance and Vision Insurance signed a merger pact in December, it rounded off a busy year of M&A activity in the Middle East. The proposal, which is still subject to approval from regulators and shareholders, was one of hundreds of deals struck across the region. Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright predicts […] January 25, 2023
Analysis UK seeks North Africa trade boost after Cairo deal The British export credit agency has signed a deal with Egyptian engineering and construction company Hassan Allam Holding to increase cooperation on projects across the Middle East and North Africa. The agreement, signed at the British embassy in Cairo, aims to secure inward investment into the UK and promote cooperation on financing projects and encourage […] January 24, 2023
Analysis Korea prospects high as President Yoon courts GCC free trade deal Negotiations are continuing on a free trade deal with GCC countries which will make “enormous contributions” to expanding relations, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has said. “I hope that the Korea-GCC FTA will become a forward-looking agreement that contributes to our two countries’ joint endeavours of responding to new challenges including climate change, supply […] January 24, 2023
Banking & Finance Payments firm optimistic after World Cup and Saudi launch Digital payments giant Network International expects to find its revenues grew by more than a quarter in 2022 following the expansion of operations in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Africa. Preliminary audit results will be released in March but the company believes earnings for last year will reach $438 million. The Dubai-based firm, which operates in […] January 23, 2023
Exclusive Food & Drink Cashless economy is at the door, says food delivery boss A cashless economy in the UAE is no longer just an ambition, according to Tatiana Rahal, managing director of food delivery giant Talabat UAE. “The future in the UAE is digital and we see cashless payments as the primary currency,” said Rahal, the company’s first MD who has previously worked on data analytics for brands […] January 23, 2023
Analysis Retail E-commerce delivers the goods for region’s retailers A Dubai free zone has set up an e-commerce platform to help drive growth in the Mena market, as new data reveals 91 percent of regional consumers bought products online in the past year. One in five shoppers said they purchased more online in the past 12 months compared to the year before, with fashion […] January 20, 2023
Analysis Tourism Four Seasons reveals new hotel as Morocco’s tourism sector recovers Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to transform a former military hospital in Rabat as Morocco’s tourism revenues continue to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The luxury hospitality company is partnering with Atlantic Coast Hospitality, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based real estate development firm Q Holding, to create Four Seasons […] January 18, 2023
Energy Tunisia steps up solar ambitions with launch of new tenders Tunisia has released tenders for two solar power projects as the North African country seeks to deliver 35 percent of its energy needs through renewables by the end of the decade. The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy is seeking companies to implement the solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power projects (IPPs). Both will have capacity […] January 18, 2023
Banking & Finance Egypt’s banks can cope with sharp currency drop, say experts Egyptian banks can withstand the impact of further currency depreciation as they are supported by “healthy internal capital generation”, analysts say. Fitch Ratings report that large private sector banks are better placed to deal with a weaker pound than the two largest public banks, National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr, due to their higher […] January 18, 2023
Analysis Lattes and logistics drive growth in UAE-Canada trade Tim Hortons coffee shops are the most visible symbol of the trade relationship between the UAE and Canada. The chain has just opened its 250th café in the Gulf – in City Centre Mirdif, Dubai – halfway to its target of 500 outlets in the region. “This milestone is representative of the UAE’s position as […] January 18, 2023
Banking & Finance Qatari bank Dukhan set to list on Doha’s main market Dukhan Bank, Qatar’s fifth-largest bank, is planning to go public and list on the Doha stock exchange. The bank, which has total assets in excess of QR100 billion ($27.5 billion), agreed the proposal at an extraordinary general assembly meeting on Sunday. Its share capital will be listed on the main market of the Qatar Stock Exchange […] January 17, 2023
Sustainability Adnoc calls on Earthshot Prize winner for decarbonisation pilot Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) announced on Tuesday a partnership to pilot technology that permanently mineralises carbon dioxide within rock formations found in the emirate of Fujairah. Adnoc is partnering with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Oman-based 44.01. The project, announced at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, […] January 17, 2023
Analysis Energy UK and Saudi eye investments in space-based solar power The UK and Saudi governments are exploring closer collaboration to invest in what could be the next era of renewable energy: space-based solar power. Grant Shapps, Britain’s business and energy secretary, met Abdullah Al Swaha, chairman of the Saudi Space Commission and minister of communications and information technology, for talks last week. A potential collaboration […] January 17, 2023
Analysis Energy GCC poised for starring role in global hydrogen market The GCC is set to play a key role in the global hydrogen market, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman looking to become leaders in the export of clean fuel. As industry experts come together in Abu Dhabi this week for the World Future Energy Summit, a report from Frost & Sullivan paints a […] January 16, 2023
EXCLUSIVE Retail Saudi Arabia’s bid to be the next global fashion powerhouse It will not be long before Saudi Arabia produces a global fashion powerhouse brand to rival Louis Vuitton and Chanel, according to the man tasked with fulfilling the kingdom’s catwalk ambitions. “I have no doubt about that, the sky is the limit,” Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission told AGBI as designers from […] January 15, 2023
Analysis Tourism Gulf in sustainable tourism push as legislation looms When the first tourists arrive to experience the Red Sea Global sustainable tourism destination in Saudi Arabia later this year, they will touch down at an airport run entirely by renewable energy and designed to include shaded areas and natural ventilation that minimises reliance on air conditioning. They will continue their journey to a resort […] January 12, 2023
Analysis Economy Why the Middle East is now a ‘must’ for top UK companies The Middle East’s contribution to revenues of major UK-listed companies is predicted to rise to record levels in 2023 on the back of an acceleration in green energy, industrials and infrastructure sectors. Lumina Capital Advisers report that money generated from the region this year will deliver an additional £1.6 billion ($1.9 billion) to UK Plc […] January 11, 2023
Analysis Indian exports to GCC boom ahead of free trade talks Indian exports to the GCC are booming, with nearly $30 billion of business in the first seven months of the fiscal year – and analysts are predicting more growth as talks resume on a free trade deal. The GCC is already India’s largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade valued at over $154 billion in […] January 11, 2023
Construction Top UAE university launches tender to house students Companies have been invited to bid for a new public private partnership tender to deliver the accommodation and associated facilities for 3,250 students in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), in collaboration with Khalifa University, launched the tender as part of a framework for expanding the role of the private sector in delivering […] January 11, 2023
