Trade Trade flourishes between Israel and Arab states Israel’s trade with Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Morocco and Bahrain grew in the year to the end of May despite regional tensions and the Gaza war, a think tank report has revealed. The figures, compiled by the Abraham Accords Peace Institute (AAPI), rely on data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics. Israel’s trade with […] July 2, 2024
Renewable Energy BP joins Masdar in Egyptian green hydrogen project BP, the British oil and gas company, has agreed to join a consortium including Masdar, the UAE’s state renewable energy company, and others to develop a multi-phase green hydrogen project in Egypt. The plans come as Reuters reports suggest that BP has frozen new offshore wind projects, as it renews emphasis on oil and gas […] July 2, 2024
Trade Saudi shipping line to link Jeddah with Chinese ports The Saudi Ports Authority has launched a new shipping service, CBS, at Jeddah Islamic Port in partnership with China’s NewNew Shipping Line, strengthening trade links between the two nations. The arrangement also aims to improve Saudi Arabia’s position on the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, increase operational efficiency at ports, and strengthen the country’s connectivity with […] July 2, 2024
Real Estate Dar Global to launch luxury Trump Tower in Jeddah London-listed real estate developer Dar Global and The Trump Organization have announced a new luxury real estate project in Saudi Arabia. The company partnered with the Trump Organisation in 2022 to use the former president’s name for its $4 billion master development in Muscat, a joint venture with Oman Tourism Development Company. Ziad El Chaar, […] July 1, 2024
Tech Yahsat taps Musk’s SpaceX for next satellite launches The UAE’s satellite provider Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has chosen Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to launch its next-generation geostationary satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5. The two communications satellites are due to be launched into orbit in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Under the deal – part of an AED3.9 billion ($1.1 […] July 1, 2024
Giga-projects Neom offers financial guarantees to lure private investors Neom is adopting stabilisation guarantees and varied financial arrangements to encourage private sector investments, according to a senior executive. The $1.5 trillion giga-project, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is a linchpin in Saudi Arabia’s move away from oil dependency. Dr Manar Al Moneef, chief investment officer at Neom, said it plans to offer […] June 28, 2024
Energy Saudi Arabia ‘is and will remain the kingdom of energy’ Saudi Arabia will sustain its status as a global leader in oil and gas while spearheading green energy initiatives, the country’s minister of investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih has said. The country “is and will remain the kingdom of energy,” Al Falih, who was previously CEO and president of state oil giant Aramco, told […] June 26, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Tech Aramco adopts heat-sensing construction helmets Saudi Aramco is deploying advanced safety helmets equipped with heat stress sensors to protect workers on some of its construction sites, a critical concern in the Gulf region’s scorching climate. The helmets, developed by Dubai and Saudi Arabia-based construction tech startup WakeCap, utilise internet-of-things (IoT) technology that monitors worker attendance, location, and safety incidents in […] June 23, 2024
Infrastructure US firm wins $46m contract to boost Iraq infrastructure US engineering giant KBR has won a five-year $46 million contract to support Iraq’s infrastructure development and future energy projects, including mega-projects. The company is expanding its presence in Iraq, establishing a new office in Baghdad and said it is also considering the creation of a design centre to enhance local engineering skills. NewsletterGet the […] June 21, 2024
Banking and Finance Bahrain attracts a record $6.8bn in foreign investment Bahrain has set a new record by attracting $6.8 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023. This is a 148 percent increase from the previous year’s $2.8 billion, according to the latest World Investment Report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development. Kuwait emerged as the top contributor, accounting for 36 percent of […] June 21, 2024
Tech Abu Dhabi-backed chipmaker Cerebras plans IPO Cerebras Systems, an Abu Dhabi-backed chipmaker looking to compete with Nvidia, the world’s top chip company by market value, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, according to reports. Based in California’s Silicon Valley, Cerebras is also planning to offer preferred shares at a significant discount, aiming to attract private investors before the IPO, […] June 21, 2024
Infrastructure Floods prompt Abu Dhabi to issue urban planning tender Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport has issued a tender for studies to aid the city’s urban planning efforts, including infrastructure resilience during storms. The tender for consultancy services opened last month and closes on July 4. It emerges after UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered an urgent review of the […] June 19, 2024
Health Mubadala-backed US startup working on AI cancer care A US genomics startup, backed by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, is working with ChatGPT creator OpenAI to improve cancer screening and treatment using artificial intelligence models. Color Health, which uses data science and machine learning for genetic testing and counselling in hereditary cancer and heart conditions, has developed an AI assistant, or “copilot”, […] June 18, 2024
Tech Nvidia stocks are all the rage in UAE as trading surges 50% Retail investors in the UAE have significantly ramped up their holdings in Nvidia – now the world’s most valuable company. Trading activity in the Emirates for the AI chipmaker’s stock jumped 50 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to data from a global trading and investment platform. Nvidia is now worth $3.34 […] June 18, 2024
Real Estate Construction begins at Expo City Dubai site Construction has begun on the first residential properties at Expo City Dubai, part of a mixed-use master plan to repurpose the legacy site after the world fair came to a close two years ago. Master developer Expo City Dubai announced last week that it has awarded four key contracts for its Mangrove Residences. UAE-based USF […] June 17, 2024
Retail Chalhoub Group in venture with Italian luxury brand Luxury distributor Chalhoub Group has entered into a joint venture with Italian fashion conglomerate OTB Group to expand the brand’s footprint in the Gulf. OTB (which stands for Only The Brave) owns the Diesel, Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor&Rolf brands, the Staff International and Brave Kid companies, and holds a stake in the […] June 17, 2024
Opinion Economy Modi’s coalition era: a new chapter for Gulf ties? The BJP must now share power, potentially complicating relationships with crucial partners like the UAE June 17, 2024
Finance EU woos Emirati investors while keeping UAE on ‘grey list’ The European Union is intensifying efforts to attract investment from the UAE despite keeping the Emirates on its “grey list”, a marker of heightened scrutiny and potential obstacles for investors. An EU delegation visited Abu Dhabi last week to promote the bloc’s Capital Markets Union (CMU) plan. A single market for capital, harmonising exchange regulations […] June 11, 2024
Logistics Dispute forum vital for trade corridor to work, says law officer A robust forum for resolving disputes will be vital to the success of the planned India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, a senior official from the Indian Supreme Court told delegates at an event in Abu Dhabi. Seven countries signed an agreement during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi to establish an economic corridor connecting the Middle […] June 7, 2024
Trade What Modi must do for India-UAE relationship to thrive While Narendra Modi claims a rare third term as India’s prime minister, a raft of issues must be addressed for economic relations with the UAE to thrive. Despite the strong foundations laid, experts highlight ongoing concerns such as bureaucratic red tape, protectionism, sluggish investment and trade growth. The Modi-led Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won […] June 5, 2024
Analysis Economy 642 million votes counted … now India can get back to business Narendra Modi has claimed victory in India’s election – and many in the Gulf will be delighted at the prospect of a third Modi term. The prime minister’s pro-business credentials and economically liberalising tendencies remain credible, if battered, after 10 years in office. His Bharatiya Janata Party did not perform as well as expected, however, […] June 5, 2024
Real Estate Trump’s convictions no problem in Gulf, says Saudi partner Donald Trump’s felony convictions in New York last week are not a deterrent to his potential business interests in the Gulf, a leading Saudi developer has said. Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes on May 30 when a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges […] June 4, 2024
