Opinion Finance Lessons for the Gulf’s insurance industry from April’s extreme weather Recent events underscore the insurance industry's need to innovate and improve modelling Clearer insights into these phenomena will help enable organisations to prepare and protect themselves Atish Suri, CEO, Guy Carpenter IMEA
Opinion Oil & Gas The fascinating complexity of China’s Middle East energy ties Iraq is perhaps over-dependent on China, but its contractual models deter everyone else Saudi Aramco is seeking to anchor its position in the Chinese market, and particularly in petrochemicals Robin Mills, CEO, Qamar Energy
Opinion Economy Kuwait’s political crisis adds to economic uncertainty Kuwait's disputes have real consequences for the long-term welfare of its citizens The country's latest standoff is deeply concerning for both the near and long term Andrew Cunningham, Middle East banking consultant
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality When the saxophonist appears, it’s time to pay the bill The noise in Dubai's restaurants is the single biggest obstacle to enjoying a night out The noise in Dubai's restaurants is the single biggest obstacle to enjoying a night out Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Media & Advertising Outdoor advertising, now making more impact indoors The Mena region is fertile ground for creative outdoor advertising and unconventional ideas Old-fashioned billboards still attract plenty of eyeballs – and now they're shared online Austyn Allison, Middle East advertising expert
Opinion Aviation Direct domestic flights are dull but critical Even though direct domestic flights are not particularly attractive, they do generate cash Even though at-home routes are not particularly attractive, they can and do generate cash John Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Opinion Infrastructure Sponge cities are the low-hanging fruit of flood mitigation Sponge cities can require about a quarter of the costs of retrofitting a city with traditional drainage The question of what this arid desert country can do to avoid a repeat of April 16 is an urgent one Valentina Pasquali, Senior editor, AGBI
Opinion Mining The Gulf has solid reasons to intervene in BHP’s bid for Anglo There is a persuasive logic to the notion of an Arabian 'white knight' riding to Anglo's rescue Anglo's board has rejected two offers. A 'white knight' could step in – and become a force in mining Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Trade The Gulf must harness the potential of new economic blocs We're moving from a situation where markets shape politics to one where politics shape markets Middle Eastern states must leverage their resources and geography as new partnerships develop Adel Alfalasi, Head of UAE, Oliver Wyman
Opinion Real Estate In Dubai’s new Uptown hub, all the talk is of diamonds The global diamond trade is coming to Uptown Dubai and the debate should be lively Ahmed bin Sulayem prepares for a critical meeting of the Kimberley process Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Banking and Finance Catastrophic floods are a wake-up call for insurers Superstorms have battered the Gulf – and its insurance industry. Processes must change Regional insurance penetration needs to be higher and policies must be overhauled Akshata Kamath, Business and finance journalist
Opinion Business of Sport Qatar faces tough rivals in fight for sporting dominance Qatar must build on its World Cup success and now has rugby and Olympics plans Qatar must build on its football World Cup success and has rugby and the Olympics in its sights Simon Chadwick, Professor of AfroEurasion sport
Opinion Finance Strong regional deal growth underpinned by wealth funds Oil price volatility and lower revenues have barely dented confidence, thanks to supportive policies Middle Eastern markets have remained resilient, due to supportive government policies Imad Matar, Transaction services leader, PwC Middle East
Opinion Trade Food can transform the Gulf’s trade relations with Africa The Gulf is a business capital for African states, and food security offers a further opportunity The Gulf's food safety expertise could become a vital part of its trade with African countries Martin Keulertz, Lecturer, University of the West of England
Opinion Lifestyle Raising Saudi Arabia’s quality of life is a work in progress We invite people to join us in forging partnerships that help strengthen Saudi civil society Saudi Arabia's QOL programme is spurring investment in culture, heritage, entertainment, tourism and sport Abdulrahman Alanbar, Director of partnerships, Quality of Life Programme
Opinion Oil & Gas Biden administration blunders again with Opec collusion allegations The US acts to the oil industry's detriment while reaping its own benefits Scott Sheffield, who helped save the oil industry in 2020, has been banned from the board of Exxon Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Sustainability The Gulf superstorm is a climate change omen Climate change's costs and risks require urgent action from both public and private sectors As GCC nations diversify their economies, it is critical that new policies are green by design Nasser Saidi, Economist, Nasser Saidi and Associates
Opinion Economy In times of conflict, spare a thought for the non-Gulf economies Positive news for non-GCC Arab economies has been in short supply – but some has emerged Confidence and growth have taken hits – but the tide is turning for some nations, if not all James Swanston, Mena economist, Capital Economics
Opinion Banking and Finance Spinneys IPO – like selling one-dirham steaks The Spinneys IPO attracted $19bn of demand, suggesting not enough shares on offer, the price was too low, or both The grocery store is a Dubai institution – but are its shares too cheap? Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Economy Is it back to the 1970s as global macro storm clouds loom? Even the rises in US Treasury bond yields and dollar have not derailed the bull market in gold Even the rises in US Treasury bond yields and dollar have not derailed the bull market in gold Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Aviation The grand plan for DWC finally gets the go-ahead If DWC’s reality turns out to be half as good as the initial plans, it’s going to be very, very special After years of waiting, we have a timescale for delivery of what will be the world’s largest airport John Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Opinion Banking and Finance Bahrain bank mergers are good news for the kingdom and the Gulf Bahrain's consolidation of its banking system is good news for both the kingdom and the Gulf It is likely that a merger of NBB and BBK would take the new bank into the top 30 Andrew Cunningham, Middle East banking consultant
