Opinion Media & Advertising In-app model paying off for GCC advertisers In a region where the smartphone rules, in-app ads give GCC advertisers new options In a region glued to its phones, in-app advertising presents plentiful opportunities for consumer engagement Austyn Allison, Middle East advertising expert
Opinion Banking & Finance Bahrain’s fiscal discipline bodes well for its capital markets The Achilles’ heel of the Bahraini economy is its public debt-to-GDP ratio, the highest in the GCC Banking and finance now contributes 17 percent of the country's GDP Matein Khalid, Chief investment officer
Opinion Employment Private sector may not solve Oman’s rise in unemployment Omanis don't apply for jobs that fail to match the attractive packages of the civil service Less pay and longer working hours are not something young graduates are very keen on Saleh Al-Shaibany, CEO, Al-Safa Press & Publishing
Opinion Economy Russia’s resilient economy means war is the ‘new normal’ Western sanctions have failed: Russia is still managing to export vast quantities of oil and gas Putin’s recent hubris has caused some in the West to think again about the efficacy of its sanctions package Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Banking & Finance The Gulf is ripe for fintechs to serve the underserved Providing financial products for unbanked consumers is an untapped opportunity in the Gulf Expanding financial inclusion offers an opportunity for savvy innovators Rabia Yasmeen, Senior consultant, Euromonitor International
Opinion Energy Booming Baku gears up for critical Cop29 I get the impression that Baku is well aware of the challenges that will be coming its way at Cop29 Azerbaijan faces all the challenges the UAE overcame at Cop28 – and some more Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Video length: 05:11 Opinion Trade Oman and UK remain firm friends in uncertain times As Oman attempts to make its mark, it must pay more than lip service to its business ecosystem Britain is well positioned to lend knowledge-based services and training Alicia Buller, Comment editor, AGBI
Opinion Trade The GCC will benefit from a US-China chill The GCC and its Middle East hinterland is an increasingly important partner for China The Gulf's expanding strategic links with Asia mean higher growth at home Nasser Saidi, Economist, Nasser Saidi and Associates
Opinion Oil & Gas Opec+ meetings spring just enough surprises for the oil markets The UAE's special treatment was just one surprise from the latest Opec+ meetings The phasing out of voluntary cuts begins this year – how will the speculators react? Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI