Retail PIF launches Saudi Arabia’s first duty-free retailer The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Saudi Arabia’s first duty-free operator as the kingdom targets 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade, according to a statement. Al Waha Duty-Free Company (Al Waha), a wholly owned unit of the sovereign fund, aims to secure a “large” share of passenger spending to boost […] March 11, 2025
Finance Asset securitisation in the Gulf takes its first baby steps Asset securitisation, a $14 trillion business in the United States, seems to be finally gaining ground in the Gulf. Last week the UAE lender Deem Finance sealed a $400 million asset securitisation deal with JP Morgan. Emirates NBD of Dubai and Rasmal Ventures in Qatar have also co-invested $7.6 million in the Turkish startup TeamSec, […] March 11, 2025
Renewable Energy Acwa Power bolsters renewables presence in China Saudi Arabian energy company Acwa Power has opened a renewable-energy innovation centre in Pudong New Area in Shanghai. The move is part of the company’s aim to expand its renewables presence in China, according to a statement. The new facility will focus on five areas: photovoltaics, wind, energy storage, green hydrogen and seawater desalination, Acwa […] March 10, 2025
Finance Derayah share price soars on first day of trading Shares in the online brokerage Derayah Financial rose by 30 percent on their first day of trading, the maximum allowed for newly listed companies, the Saudi stock exchange said. Derayah, the third-largest broker in Saudi Arabia, floated 20 percent of its shares on the Tadawul, the main market of the Saudi Stock Exchange, in a […] March 10, 2025
Opinion Aviation Schedule shift signals a busy summer for Middle East airlines As airlines prepare to switch timetables, the Gulf looks set for growth, new routes and cautious optimism March 10, 2025
Aviation AirAsia raises $226m but stays quiet on PIF The parent company of Malaysian budget airline AirAsia has raised 1 billion ringgit ($226 million) to complete its reorganisation plan, according to a news report. “We have a 1 billion (ringgit) placement,” Capital A group CEO Tony Fernandes said at a press conference. “Don’t ask me questions on PIF’s placement order book – we are not […] March 10, 2025
Oil & Gas UAE and Saudi Arabia cut prices of flagship crude State-owned oil companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have lowered their benchmark crude oil prices. Saudi Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, lowered crude oil prices for Asian buyers in April for the first time in three months, in line with market expectations and after Opec+ agreed to gradually increase supply in the same […] March 10, 2025
Analysis Finance Canada must do more to capitalise on billion dollar Saudi projects Canada and Saudi Arabia have made progress towards ending a five-year diplomatic spat and mending trade and economic relations. However experts say that more could be done to deepen exchanges and investment ties – especially as US President Donald Trump kicks off a tariff war that may encourage Ottawa to widen its circle of trading […] March 7, 2025
Telecoms Abu Dhabi’s Thuraya enters satellite smartphone market Thuraya Mobile Satellite Communications Company, a unit of Abu Dhabi’s Space42, is moving into the smartphone market, hoping to access a global satellite-capable smartphone business that could be worth as much as $15 billion within a decade. Led by the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE federation is investing in its capabilities in space. Combined, […] March 7, 2025
Mining Ma’aden to invest billions after profit surge The Saudi state mining company Ma’aden is looking to invest between SAR8.6 billion and SAR10.6 billion ($2.3 billion to $2.8 billion) this year as profits bounce back after a three-year low. It announced an 82 percent year-on-year increase in profits for 2024 to reach SAR2.87 billion, according to a disclosure made to the Saudi Stock […] March 7, 2025
Opinion Economy Aramco’s $40bn dividends drop highlights Saudi spending The shortfall is a blow to ambitious projects and reducing dependence on the oil giant's profits March 7, 2025
Analysis Oil & Gas Aramco focuses spending on gas and Jafurah fields Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company by value, has said it is focusing its spending on developing natural gas over oil reserves because of higher returns. The Saudi kingdom, the world’s second-largest oil producer after the US, is developing its gas reserves to supply its petrochemical and fertiliser industries and to power its electricity-generating […] March 7, 2025
Opinion Business of Sport Saudis play the long game with focus on new sports and formats Saudi Arabia is determined to emerge victorious in the new sporting world order March 7, 2025
Aviation PIF plans major investment in Malaysia’s AirAsia Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is to invest $100 million in Malaysia’s Capital A-owned budget airline AirAsia, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Middle East investment forms the majority of AirAsia’s approximately one billion ringgit ($225 million) fundraising target, with the company also in discussions […] March 7, 2025
Trade Trump plans Saudi Arabia visit to reach $1trn deal US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is likely to make his first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia to seal an agreement for Riyadh to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment. Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he would probably travel there in […] March 7, 2025
Renewable Energy Gulf companies win slice of $32bn Morocco hydrogen projects The Moroccan government has selected companies from the UAE and Saudi Arabia to help develop hydrogen projects worth MAD319 billion ($32 billion) in the country’s southern province, the prime minister’s office has announced. A government committee finalised five local and global investors to build six projects, said a statement from the office of Aziz Akhannouch, […] March 7, 2025
Retail Ramadan sharply boosts Saudi consumer spending Saudi consumers increased spending to one of its highest ever weekly levels as they rushed to build up food supplies ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, local figures show. Consumer spending in the largest Arab economy soared by 35 percent to 17.6 billion riyals ($4.7 billion) in the period February 23 to March 1, […] March 6, 2025
Business of Sport Saudi Arabia signs deal with TKO for boxing promotion Saudi Arabia could land a blow to boxing traditionalists after the launch of a new promotion. TKO Group, the US media conglomerate that has World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under its banner, has entered a multi-year agreement with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, vowing to implement widespread changes to how boxing […] March 6, 2025
Business of Sport Saudi-backed Newcastle United narrows losses to $14m Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle United Football Club has reported an £11 million ($14 million) loss for the last financial year, despite a 30 percent increase in revenues. The deficit at the Public Investment Fund majority owned English Premier League club was reduced by £60 million year on year, attributed largely to the money gained from qualifying […] March 6, 2025
EXCLUSIVE Aviation US startup Doroni to bring recreational flying cars to Gulf Doroni Aerospace, a US developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, last week secured an additional $150 million from a Saudi investor. The investment came only days after the company announced an initial $30 million deal with Kingdom Aero Industries (KAI). Florida-based Doroni was launched in 2017 and is working to manufacture US […] March 6, 2025
