Construction Saudi’s $500bn Neom targets Berlin and Paris for investment Neom, the $500 billion futuristic city being built in Saudi Arabia, is targeting potential business partners in Europe as part of its ongoing efforts to attract investors. Located in a vast region in the northwest of the kingdom, Neom is at the heart of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 drive to diversify the […] November 16, 2022
Real Estate Riyadh prime offices almost full as foreign firms flock to Saudi Unprecedented demand for prime office space in Riyadh has taken Grade A office occupancy levels close to 100 percent, driven by a massive increase in the number of foreign investment licences issued this year. More than 4,400 licences were issued in the second quarter of 2022, a rise of almost 700 percent on the same […] November 15, 2022
Banking and Finance Fintech Pyypl mulls more fundraising amid investor demand Pyypl, the Middle East and Africa (Mena) focused financial services platform, is mulling plans for a new fundraising drive after closing its Series B raise of $20 million. The company said it is considering opening a second tranche for further investment due to interest from investors. Since inception in 2017, Pyypl has raised almost $40 […] November 15, 2022
Analysis Tourism UAE hotels likely to see record occupancy and room rates in Q4 Hotel occupancy and room rates across Dubai and Abu Dhabi are likely to hit record levels in the remainder of 2022. And the UAE is setting its sights on attracting an extra AED 100 billion ($27.23 billion) in tourism investments by 2031. Key performance indicators continue to show resilient levels, despite total hotel visits still […] November 14, 2022
Exclusive Development Cherie Blair ‘optimistic’ for Middle East entrepreneurial equality Nearly 20 years ago, Cherie Blair CBE, leading King’s Counsel and committed campaigner for women’s rights, predicted that the UAE would lead the Middle East’s drive on gender equality. Her first visit to the GCC region – during her husband Tony’s 10-year stint as British Prime Minister – was promptly followed by the appointment of […] November 14, 2022
Analysis Construction Private sector urged to step up to build homes, schools and clinics The GCC’s private sector should carve itself a bigger role in infrastructure delivery, according to Cyril Lincoln, executive vice president and global head of real estate, finance and advisory at Dubai-based Mashreq Bank. There is plenty of work to go around: the region has more than $121 billion of so-called social infrastructure projects planned or […] November 7, 2022
Exclusive Retail Saudi and Egypt offer ideal stage for UAE’s The Entertainer The Entertainer, a Dubai-based tech company that offers thousands of lifestyle product discounts, is focusing on Saudi Arabia and Egypt for expansion as demand rises amid the current cost of living crunch. New CEO Ahmed Gaber, who was previously general manager of Visa’s operations in North Africa where he was responsible for developing the digital […] November 7, 2022
Analysis Health Region urged to support vaping to deter smoking black market High taxes and outright bans imposed in some Middle East countries on e-cigarettes and vaping products have been blamed for pushing smokers to the black market and slowing the transition away from nicotine products in the region. Black market numbers in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE are “alarming” and can only be resolved by […] November 4, 2022
Analysis Tech Rise of the supercomputers: Gulf invests its oil profits in big tech Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world’s third-largest sovereign wealth fund, has revealed plans to launch ADIA Lab, a centre dedicated to cutting-edge research in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing. From its base in the UAE capital, ADIA Lab will start work on December 2, supporting projects on climate change and energy […] November 1, 2022
Exclusive Retail Kuwait classified giant 4Sale aims to double up on business The oldest form of classified ads can be traced back all the way to 2000BC, when the Egyptians invented outdoor advertising as they carved public notices into steel. This earliest example of the ‘first mover advantage’ strategy is not lost on the CEO of 4Sale, Kuwait’s largest online classifieds platform, which has big ambitions to […] October 31, 2022
Analysis Economy 70 multinationals secure Riyadh licence after Saudi HQ ruling A total of 70 international companies have so far been issued licences to relocate their regional headquarters to the Saudi capital Riyadh as part of a major push to attract more overseas investment. The updated figure, revealed in a new report by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment (Misa), represents a significant increase compared to a […] October 27, 2022
EXCLUSIVE Tech ‘Full support’ for Abu Dhabi biotech tie-up with Israel Abu Dhabi would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Israel to accelerate the development of biotechnology capabilities in the UAE. Dr Dirk Richter, senior advisor and director of health sector innovation with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said the emirate is “really open” to forging a partnership with the likes of the Hadassah Medical […] October 27, 2022
Sustainability Aramco unveils $1.5bn sustainability fund Saudi Aramco has announced the creation of a $1.5 billion Sustainability Fund to invest in technology to support energy transition. Unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative currently taking place in Riyadh, Aramco said it is among the largest sustainability-focused venture capital funds globally. Managed by Aramco Ventures, its venture capital arm, the Sustainability Fund is […] October 26, 2022
Analysis PureGym eyes up to 130 branches as part of Mena expansion UK-based fitness brand PureGym has revealed plans to open branches in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), beginning in the UAE but with Egypt, Kuwait and Oman also on the radar. The company has signed an agreement with its franchise partner, Ektimal, to open at least 130 gyms across the region over the next […] October 26, 2022
Analysis Mena markets buck global IPO downturn The Middle East and North Africa (Mena’s) IPO market continued to “forge its own path” during the first nine months of 2022, showing significant growth while the global landscape remained subdued. According to the latest EY Mena IPO Eye report, the Mena region witnessed a 288 percent year-on-year increase in the number of companies listing […] October 26, 2022
Real Estate Rising business occupancy boosts profits for Tecom Tecom Group, the Dubai-based operator of business parks and free zones, announced today that third quarter revenue rose by 12.5 percent year-on-year, driven by rising occupancy levels. Revenue reached $133.4 million as demand rose across the Tecom portfolio for office, warehouse and worker accommodation. The company, which is owned by the investment vehicle of Dubai’s […] October 26, 2022
Logistics Outlook for global trade remains uncertain, says DP World boss The chairman and CEO of DP World said on Tuesday that the outlook for global trade remains uncertain as the port operator posted a small increase in container volumes. Growth in the third quarter of 2022 was primarily driven by a solid performance across the company’s Asia Pacific, Americas and Australia terminal. Its flagship port […] October 25, 2022
Analysis GCC and South Korea kick off fresh round of trade talks The sixth round of trade talks between the GCC and South Korea has started in Seoul. The negotiations began on Monday and are scheduled to run until Friday. The two sides resumed talks on a free trade agreement earlier this year, following a 13-year hiatus. The agenda for the sixth round includes goods and services, […] October 25, 2022
Analysis Tech IHC sets out plan to create Mena’s largest tech company International Holding Company (IHC), the Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate, plans to create the largest tech holding company in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. IHC said it wants to scale up its IT businesses as part of the long-term strategy to grow its capacity in the tech industry across different sectors. The company added […] October 24, 2022
Analysis Retail Lucid opens first Saudi showroom as regional EV rivalry hots up Lucid Group announced the opening of its first showroom in the Middle East, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as it looks to get ahead of rivals in the regional push for electric vehicles. The Lucid Studio in the heart of the Saudi capital’s Al Nakheel district will offer a “digitally oriented premium experience”, the company […] October 24, 2022
Analysis Food & Drink PIF sets up company to make Saudi a global hub for halal Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is launching a new business, the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), to support the production of halal goods in the kingdom. The PIF company, unveiled today, aims to make Saudi Arabia a major exporter of halal products including food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It also plans to drive innovation and efficiency […] October 24, 2022
Exclusive Real Estate Six Senses sells 75% of branded Dubai units ahead of 2024 debut The first Six Senses Residences in Dubai is planned for 2024 as the CEO of the global luxury hospitality brand reports demand from affluent and existing UAE residents. Neil Jacobs said the progressing construction of Six Senses Residences The Palm, alongside a 61-room hotel, represents a “new milestone for the brand”. “The property price growth […] October 23, 2022
