Analysis Banking and Finance Oman banks ink deal as Mena mergers defy global headwinds HSBC Bank Oman and local rival Sohar International Bank have entered into a binding agreement to consolidate operations as merger and acquisition activity in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) continues to defy global headwinds. The two lenders said on Wednesday that all assets and liabilities of HSBC Oman will be transferred to Sohar […] November 16, 2022
Analysis Retail Gulf shop tills set to ring up $297bn of sales this year Retail sales across the GCC are likely to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by a revival of the region’s tourism industry, according to new research. Alpen Capital’s latest report on the retail sector projects year-on-year growth of 15.7 percent, to reach total revenues of $296.8 billion. The industry is expected to record a compounded […] November 16, 2022
Opinion Sustainability Mena investment community is moving to fund climate action With a concerted effort, Mena investors can stimulate conversation and fund technological solutions to help bring about real climate outcomes 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
Opinion Tech The digital world increasingly feeds into the real world Gaming and digital innovations are feeding into the real world with the rise of trends from virtual status symbols to mentor and mentee connections November 14, 2022
Analysis Banking and Finance Wealthy fintechs will find it hard to buy Gulf banks, says expert Wealthy financial technology (fintech) companies won’t find it easy to buy banks in the Middle East or other developed economies, no matter how much money they’re willing to put on the table. A top banking executive expressed this view as reports that Binance, the world’s biggest crypto exchange, may go on a $1 billion acquisition […] November 11, 2022
Analysis Construction Design changes mean Middle East has world’s worst project delays Construction projects in the Middle East are facing some of the longest delays of any region in the world, with average overruns adding more than 80 percent to timelines, and dispute claims increasing costs by more than a third. Despite the prevalent availability of cash reserves in the region, due to the high oil price […] November 8, 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
Opinion Media & Advertising Nine ways to grow your network (without spamming) How to make friends and influence people: avoid spamming and follow these tips to grow your network authentically and organically November 7, 2022
Analysis Sustainability 30 of the most sustainable companies in the Middle East With Cop27 beginning today in Egypt, we focus on 30 businesses tackling the social and environmental challenges that threaten the region Middle Eastern companies large and small are going green as they realise the environmental and commercial potential of being socially conscious. Governments are also focusing on sustainability, placing green projects at the heart of […] November 6, 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
Exclusive Banking and Finance Jobs at risk as private equity slows hiring in the Gulf The looming global recession is pushing private equity firms to freeze hiring in the Gulf, with layoffs likely to be on the way, an executive at a UAE-based global investment company has said. Major Wall Street firms are already beginning to rein in expenses amid a slump in deals volume on the back of repeated […] November 4, 2022
Economy China-GCC free trade agreement in ‘final and critical’ stage The China-GCC free trade agreement negotiations have entered the “final and critical stage”. The two sides have agreed on most issues and are putting the final touches on the agreement, according to WAM, the UAE state-owned news agency, citing a top Chinese diplomat. 200 billion reasons why the Gulf is China’s hottest trading partner UAE […] November 4, 2022
Analysis Energy Middle East under pressure to fill oil gap left by Russia The Gulf states are in prime position to plug the global energy gap caused by the Ukraine war, but other countries must also step up, experts said this week at Adipec, the region’s top energy event. In recent months, the UAE and Qatar have been in talks with Europe to sell gas to those who […] November 4, 2022
Analysis Economy Gulf rate hike: Good for gold and bonds, bad for credit Gulf companies have been able to absorb rising interest rates but as regional central banks follow the US Federal Reserve’s latest hike, borrowing appetite is likely to be subdued. It may, however, be good for gold, bank deposits and fixed income. Four of the Gulf states announced on Wednesday that they would increase their key […] November 3, 2022
Economy UK exports to Arab countries up 20% to $38bn in 2022 The UK’s exports to Arab countries have posted a 20 percent year-on-year increase, standing at £33.6 billion ($38.26 billion), and are expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels. “While exports have remained broadly flat between 2020 and 2021, we have seen a 20 percent recovery so far this year and we anticipate that our total trade […] November 3, 2022
Banking and Finance UBS to wind down Mena advisory and dealmaking operations UBS Group AG is planning to wind down its dealmaking and advisory operations in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources. The division’s last senior banker in the region has tendered his resignation recently, they said, adding a decision to retreat from in-person operations was taken in recently. Bankers and […] November 3, 2022
Banking and Finance Gulf central banks raise interest rates after US Fed’s move Most Gulf states said on Wednesday they would increase their key interest rates after the Federal Reserve raised its key policy rate by three-quarters of a percentage point for the fourth straight time. While the US central bank’s policy decision was motivated by its desire to lower stubbornly high inflation in the United States, it […] November 3, 2022
Opinion Banking and Finance Islamic insurers face a turbulent year While growth prospects of Islamic insurers in the GCC remain favourable, weak profitability has been an issue for the sector November 2, 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
