Media & Advertising Abu Dhabi raises TV and film rebate to lure studios Abu Dhabi is hoping to attract the best of Hollywood, Bollywood and the Arab world to the emirate via an increased TV and film rebate that could save studios as much as $10 million on each production. Abu Dhabi Film Commission increased its refund for productions from 30 percent to 35 percent in October as […] December 30, 2024
Finance Dubai busts global money laundering gangs Dubai has broken up two major international networks conducting money laundering operations worth a total of AED641 million ($174.5 million). The Dubai Public Prosecution referred an Emirati national, 21 British nationals, two Americans, a Czech national, and two companies owned by the Emirati national to the Criminal Court of First Instance at Dubai Courts. The […] December 27, 2024
Real Estate Abu Dhabi & Qatar to help fund Indonesian housing Abu Dhabi and Qatar have committed to support Indonesia’s plan to build 15 million houses, according to the head of the housing task force Hashim Djojohadikusumo. Djojohadikusumo said the Qatari government will finance the construction of five million houses, while an unnamed philanthropist from Qatar will contribute towards a further one million houses. He added […] December 27, 2024
Tourism Abu Dhabi records 26% rise in international visitors Abu Dhabi welcomed almost five million guests to its hotels in the year through to October. The latest figures from the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi show that the number of international guests was up 26 percent year on year over the 10-month period. Visitors mainly came from India, China, Russia, the […] December 27, 2024
Trade Saudi Arabian non-oil exports increase by 13% Non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia increased by almost 13 percent to SAR25.38 billion ($6.76 billion) in October compared to the same month last year, according to the latest government trade report. Chemical products made up 26.8 percent of non-oil exports over the month, followed by plastics and rubber products at 23.7 percent, the General Authority […] December 27, 2024
Business of Sport Prince sells English football club to US consortium Saudi Arabia’s United World Group, led by Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has sold its interest in the English Championship side Sheffield United. The club, currently sitting at the top of the table heading into the busy Christmas schedule of fixtures, has been taken over by the American consortium COH Sports for […] December 24, 2024
Development Qatar reveals commitment to help rebuild Syria Qatar says it will play a central role in the reconstruction of Syria,and has plans to invest in sectors including energy and port infrastructure. Qatar’s state minister for foreign affairs, Mohamed Al-Khulaifi, made the commitment this week in what was the Gulf country’s first official visit to Syria in more than 13 years. In a […] December 24, 2024
Analysis Aviation Middle East airlines expected to ride out delivery delays Aircraft delivery delays will continue to dog Middle East airlines in 2025, according to the International Air Travel Association (Iata). The issue will have little bearing on the bottom line, however, and the industry is expected to continue growing regardless. Globally, Iata forecasts that 1,802 aircraft will be delivered over the next 12 months, down […] December 24, 2024
Real Estate Real estate fund behind billion-riyal Medina development A billion-riyal mixed-use project has been launched in Medina as the inaugural development of a new Saudi real estate fund. The development fund is a collaboration between the Knowledge Economic City Company (KEC), Sidra Capital and Ravel Properties. The fund will develop a 33,2300sq m plot of land along King Abdulaziz Road, which is located […] December 23, 2024
Manufacturing Alba and Ma’aden delay merger to Q2 2025 The deadline on a potential merger between Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and subsidiaries of Saudi Arabia’s Ma’aden has been extended into the second quarter of 2025. It had been hoped that a deal between the two manufacturing giants could be completed in the first quarter, according to Alba’s chief executive, Ali Al Baqali. But a note […] December 23, 2024
Aviation BA’s suspension of Abu Dhabi flights likely to push up fares British Airways’ decision to suspend daily flights from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi is likely to push up airfare prices and have an impact on tourism demand in the UAE capital. The UK flag carrier announced on Wednesday that flights from the west London airport will stop from March 30 next year through to October […] December 19, 2024
Transport Dubai’s Parkin signs tech deal with Saudi group BATIC Parkin, the largest parking management group in Dubai, aims to expand into Saudi Arabia after signing an agreement with the Riyadh-based conglomerate BATIC. The proposed collaboration with BATIC’s Smart City Solutions subsidiary will focus on technologies to improve traffic flow. It will also enhance the parking experience for Saudi motorists, the companies said in a […] December 16, 2024
Finance Brics currency branded ‘fantasy’ as Trump threatens tariffs Suggestions that the UAE would drop its dollar peg in favour of a Brics currency have been described as “fantasy” by the head economist at Standard Chartered bank. The UAE, along with Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, joined the non-Western-aligned Brics group – named for its earliest members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – […] December 16, 2024
Development Syria upheaval could be a sign of progress for the region The removal of the Assad regime in Syria is a “step in the right direction for the region”, according to a leading economist from Standard Chartered. Eric Robertsen, managing director of global head of research and chief strategist at Standard Chartered, was discussing the fallout of a series of geopolitical crises during a media round […] December 13, 2024
Business of Sport Manchester City reports record revenues Despite a recent slump in form on the pitch, the Abu Dhabi-backed English football team Manchester City is thriving commercially, its annual report revealed this week. The club has announced record-breaking revenues of £715 million ($903 million) for the past year, with profits of £73.8 million. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Our focus remains on […] December 13, 2024
Analysis Tax Oman delays introduction of personal income tax Oman’s plan to introduce personal income tax for high earners has been put on hold following a meeting on Wednesday of the sultanate’s State Council. Under the initial draft bill, first introduced in 2022, foreign nationals in Oman who earn over $100,000 would be taxed between 5 to 9 percent from 2026. Omani citizens would […] December 13, 2024
Markets ADX ripe for international investment, say asset managers The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange remains a sleeping giant for international investors despite the huge sums raised from recent ADX listings, speakers said this week at the emirate’s annual financial showcase. There have been 23 notable initial public offerings of UAE companies since the start of 2021 – 14 on the ADX and nine on […] December 11, 2024
Tourism Morocco reports 20% rise in tourists this year Morocco has reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase in tourists through to the end of November, welcoming close to 16 million visitors. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s minister of tourism, described the numbers as an “historic achievement”. “This achievement isn’t just a number, it’s a testament to the success of our roadmap and confirms we’re on track […] December 11, 2024
Education Mergers and acquisitions to fuel Saudi education growth Mergers and acquisitions will play a vital role in the future of Saudi Arabia’s lucrative education sector, which could offer returns in the region of high double-digits, according to an industry expert. There has been a flurry of M&A activity in education in recent weeks. Maarif, one of the largest education companies in the country, […] December 9, 2024
Analysis Lifestyle Dubai losing its lustre for squeezed expat middle classes Dubai, renowned for its lavish luxury and five-star everything, could be getting too expensive for expatriate middle-market workers, as costs continue to increase and pay rises become rarer. The emirate’s tax-free status and higher wages have long held a strong appeal for expatriates from all corners of the world. But as the cost of living […] November 28, 2024
Finance IHC stands by Adani investments despite US indictment Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) is standing firm on its outlook for investments in the Adani Group despite an indictment against its billionaire owner Gautam Adani and seven others in the US. The conglomerate, led by its chair and the UAE’s national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been one of […] November 28, 2024
Analysis Oil & Gas Aramco’s debt push threatens Saudi banks’ liquidity Saudi Aramco’s plans to keep tapping the local debt market could place further liquidity pressures on the country’s banking sector, as the government looks for new ways to raise cash for its economic development plans. The oil giant’s chief financial officer Ziad Al-Murshed told Bloomberg last week that plans were underway to take on more […] November 26, 2024
