Sustainability Saudi Arabia to invest $10m in sandstorm warning system Saudi Arabia will invest $10 million over the next five years to support its global sand and dust storm monitoring initiative. The initiative, launched through its United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Cop16 presidency, will expand on existing international sand and dust storm capacity, overseen by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Two billion tonnes […] December 12, 2024
Finance $500bn QIA to go ‘aggressive’ and close big deals says CEO The $500-billion Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will be investing more “aggressively” and closing more “big-ticket” deals, according to a news report. Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, the fund’s new chief executive officer, told the Financial Times that QIA will invest with “more frequency” and undertake a review of its investment strategy. The fund remains bullish on the US, […] December 12, 2024
Business of Sport Saudi Arabia wins 2034 Fifa World Cup bid Fifa, the world football governing body, has officially named Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup. The kingdom submitted its bid to host the event in July under the slogan “Growing. Together” after Fifa invited bids from countries in Asia and Oceania last year. The only country in contention, Australia, did […] December 12, 2024
Infrastructure Parsons signs deal to improve Riyadh’s road network US company Parsons Corporation has won a contract to manage the development of Riyadh’s road network, as the Saudi capital city gears up to host Expo 2030 and the Fifa World Cup 2034. The $53-million three-year contract was awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) to the New York Stock Exchange-listed company, which […] December 10, 2024
Development Abu Dhabi fund backs social housing project in Africa The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) will provide financing of AED183.5 million ($50 million) for a social housing programme in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The first phase of the scheme includes 25,000 housing units and expands ADFD’s geographic reach across the African continent. The investment in critical infrastructure projects will promote sustainable economic and social […] December 10, 2024
Economy Kuwait faces recession but will recover over medium term The Kuwaiti economy is expected to remain in recession through 2024, but is projected to recover over the medium term, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. Real GDP will shrink by 2.8 percent in 2024, primarily due to additional Opec+ production cuts. However, economic activity will rebound in 2025, with a projected growth of 2.6 […] December 10, 2024
Finance Investcorp Capital invests $280m in growth sectors Bahrain’s Investcorp Capital has announced investments exceeded $280 million across various asset classes in the last six months. These potential growth sectors included real estate, infrastructure and corporate investments. The funding aligns with the company’s strategy to pay at least 8 percent dividends in semi-annual instalments, the company said in a bourse filing on Monday. […] December 9, 2024
Infrastructure Morocco’s rail project secures $14bn funding Morocco’s mega railway expansion plan has attracted more than $14 billion (MAD139.8 billion) in investments from global investors, surpassing its initial funding goal of $8.8 billion, according to media reports. The project, led by the state-run National Railways Office (ONCF), has attracted significant attention due to its strategic importance, local media said citing Akinwumi Adesina, […] December 9, 2024
Retail Apple stores to open in Saudi Arabia from 2026 Apple is to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, with plans to open an online store in summer 2025, followed by the launch of multiple Apple Stores from 2026. As part of this expansion, the US tech giant is in the early stages of planning a flagship retail location in Diriyah, a Unesco World Heritage […] December 9, 2024
Oil & Gas Qatar says Trump’s LNG export plan poses ‘no threat’ Qatar’s energy minister Saad Al-Kaabi believes that US president-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to remove the cap on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports will not be a concern for the Gulf nation. Qatar will be able to cope with any competition, Reuters reported, citing Kaabi’s speech at the Doha Forum. However, all LNG projects are driven […] December 9, 2024
Finance Mubadala to focus on Asia investments says CEO Abu Dhabi wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company will focus on investments across Asia, CEO and managing director Khaldoon Al Mubarak has said. “Asia in general, we are under-invested,” Reuters reported, quoting Al Mubarak at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa summit. “You have to take a very strong view on India, you have to […] December 9, 2024
Construction Dubai unveils master plan for pedestrian-friendly city Dubai has ambitions to transform into a pedestrian-friendly city, including a 6,500 km network of walkways across 160 areas of the emirate. The Dubai Walk master plan, unveiled by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will feature uninterrupted pathways and expanded green spaces. The plan includes constructing 3,300 km of new walkways and […] December 8, 2024
Economy PIF secures $10bn from French export credit agency Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has signed an agreement with Bpifrance Assurance Export, a French export credit agency, to seek funding for up to $10 billion. The five-year pact will focus on projects supporting Vision 2030 and is aligned with the fund’s strategy to grow build long-term global partnerships. The agreement will unlock new opportunities for French […] December 6, 2024
Economy Saudi Arabia extends $3bn loan to Pakistan Saudi Arabia has renewed its $3 billion deposit with Pakistan’s central bank for another year. The deposit renewal with the State Bank of Pakistan will boost Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthen its economy, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) said. The initial agreement was signed in 2021 and rolled over in 2022 and […] December 6, 2024
Oil & Gas Adnoc Gas strikes LNG supply deal with Petronas State-backed energy major Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has signed the second sales and purchase agreement for its Ruwais liquified natural gas (LNG) project at Al Ruwais Industrial City. The 15-year contract was signed with Malaysia’s Petronas to supply one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG. Deliveries are expected to start in 2028 […] December 6, 2024
Aviation Middle East airlines report lowest demand rise Middle Eastern carriers reported a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand in October, the lowest across all regions, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Capacity increased 2.5 percent, while the load factor fell marginally lower at 80.2 percent year on year, Iata reported. Asia-Pacific airlines reported the highest year-on-year increase in demand […] December 6, 2024
Economy Libya in talks to print $6.25bn new bank notes The Central Bank of Libya has engaged British currency printer De La Rue to print 30 billion dinars ($6.25 billion) to resolve the country’s cash liquidity crisis. Governor Naji Issa met De La Rue CEO Clive Vacher on Wednesday to discuss the contract related to printing various denominations of Libyan currency, the bank said in a statement. […] December 6, 2024
Agriculture Almarai to foray into food segments beyond dairy Almarai, the largest dairy producer in Saudi Arabia, will launch seafood and red meat facilities to help achieve the Vision 2030 goal of becoming food self-reliant. The company is building domestic production facilities for seafood and beef and lamb, which will become operational in two years, Bloomberg reported, citing CEO Abdullah Albader. In March, Almarai […] December 5, 2024
Retail Perfume sales propel Dubai Duty Free to $2bn 2024 target Dubai Duty Free (DDF) recorded sales of AED7.13 billion ($1.94 billion) in the first 11 months of 2024, as it closes in on the $2 billion annual target. The airport retailer reported sales of $205.7 million last month, marking the fifth-best month ever, propelled mainly by perfume sales, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported. […] December 5, 2024
Tech Mubadala-led group buys stake in US company Zelis A consortium led by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company is to acquire a minority stake in Zelis, a US-based financial technology company. The other partners are Norwest and HarbourVest. Parthenon and Bain Capital remain the majority owners in Zelis. Zelis is helping to streamline the US healthcare financial experience, which is complex and needs technology-driven solutions, […] December 5, 2024
People & Lifestyle Almoosa Health to raise up to $450m from Saudi IPO Almoosa Health Company expects to raise between SAR1.63 billion and SAR1.69 billion ($433.80-449.7 million) from its initial public offering (IPO) on the Saudi stock exchange. The company set the offering price range between SAR123.00 and SAR127.00 per share as the institutional book-building period started on Wednesday and will end on December 10. The offer price […] December 5, 2024
Finance Egypt to list military-linked companies says PM The Egyptian government will reveal plans next week to list military-affiliated companies on the local stock exchange, prime minister Mostafa Madbouly has said. Local media reports said three to four companies will be listed on the Egyptian stock exchange. No company names were given. The listings will attract investment and promote economic development, he said […] December 5, 2024
