Opinion Retail UAE Ramadan shopping combines tech and tradition Ramadan shoppers are gravitating towards brands that align with their own ethical and cultural values Consumers have been navigating a complex shopping landscape during the holy month Monique Naval, Senior research analyst, Euromonitor
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality Navigating business opportunities during Ramadan Crafting campaigns that resonate with Ramadan’s themes can boost customer engagement Successfully engaging during Ramadan comes down to cultural understanding and sensitivity Adam Taylor, Marketing director, IFZA freezone, Dubai
Opinion Economy Economic diversification is the GCC’s top priority Saudi Arabia has taken great steps to diversify its economy – Kuwait must now follow suit Saudi Arabia has taken great steps to diversify its economy – Kuwait must follow suit Nasser Saidi, Economist, Nasser Saidi and Associates
Opinion Economy In the Gulf, the age of the petrodollar will not be ending soon The GCC pegs have survived several stresses – the age of the petrodollar has not ended GCC currency pegs have provided stability for 40 years. The dollar remains the best bet for oil exporters Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Oil & Gas The IEA and Opec: 50 years of prickly co-existence The 50-year relationship between the IEA and Opec is beginning to look a little strained The two organisations were managing to get along until climate change entered the equation Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion People & Lifestyle 6 essential tips for journalists at Ramadan There are challenges for non-Muslims during Ramadan, especially for us in the media The holy month is a wonderful time but presents challenges for media Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Lifestyle Ramadan, a time for business reflection Ramadan offers businesses an ideal backdrop for strategic planning and reflection Companies can respectfully capitalise on the holy month by optimising their operations Alicia Buller, Comment editor, AGBI
Opinion Transport Art, beaches, culture: Jeddah commute makes sense to me Commuting to Riyadh from Jeddah you can avoid the traffic jams that bedevil the capital Riyadh may be where the action is but serenity is found in Saudi Arabia's port city Justin Doherty, Chairman, Hemington Consulting
Opinion Tourism Craving for community sets travel trends for Ramadan Many yearn to experience Ramadan as a communal event, part of the worldwide ummah European Muslims are increasingly keen to travel to Islamic countries to celebrate Ufuk Seçgin, CMO, HalalBooking
Opinion Economy Oman’s blame game threatens economic progress Oman’s private sector must stop the blame game and take proactive measures instead Instead of waiting for contract awards, businesses must seek opportunities and be more innovative Saleh Al-Shaibany, Journalist, Al-Safa Press & Publishing
Opinion Oil & Gas Oil traders ponder Putin’s reaction to Moscow attack, and decide: buy The prospect of Russia lashing out in revenge is a destabilising factor in a volatile oil market Russia's response can only mean upward pressure on crude markets Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Transport If EVs can make it here, they can make it anywhere As choice and range improve, electric vehicles will become the default choice in the UAE The battery powered car is on the up, even in the oil-soaked Gulf Robin Mills, CEO, Qamar Energy
Opinion Economy Egypt and Turkey turn a corner but Lebanon flounders Turkey and Egypt may have turned a corner but Lebanon’s recovery will be more protracted The phrase 'two out of three ain't bad' offers no solace for a struggling nation Scott Livermore, Chief economist, ME, Oxford Economics
Opinion Media & Advertising ‘Can you change it online?’ Six things a flack should never say to a hack PRs do have their annoying little habits, which I’ve been studying over many decades here Journalists and PRs are on the same side, kind of – but there are red lines Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Economy Egypt must deal with its fundamental challenges Pessimism is easy, but one does have to step back and recognise the long-term progress Abu Dhabi's cash injection offers short-term relief but serious budgetary issues remain Andrew Cunningham, Middle East banking consultant
Opinion Agriculture The memory of water: Saudi Arabia’s troubled history Saudi Arabia decided to become an exporter of wheat. And wheat is a thirsty crop Growing crops and preserving water is a balancing act for Saudi Arabia Martin Keulertz, Lecturer, University of the West of England
Opinion Aviation Etihad’s IPO is a risky proposition However impressive the Etihad operation, it’s got a few challenges to stay competitive There is no doubt competition is going to get tougher in the Middle East aviation market John Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Opinion Sustainability Carbon capture isn’t a silver bullet but it’s part of the answer Investment in carbon capture, storage and usage must grow at warp speed The priority for the energy transition should be to reduce emissions. Systems integration can do this Charles McConnell & Osama Abazeed, Energy experts
Opinion Lifestyle Abu Dhabi is getting serious in its bid to lure the wealthy Country club membership? There are better reasons to set up an HQ in Abu Dhabi Competition with Dubai is about more than country club fees Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion People & Lifestyle Ukrainians in the UAE reflect on two years in geopolitical limbo Ukrainians will remain grateful to the UAE, but they are keen to get back to their country They are living the best life they can in tragic circumstances not of their choosing Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Economy The stars are aligned for Oman’s economic resurgence Many factors could jointly raise Oman's real GDP by 3% in 2024 – this is a goldilocks moment The sultanate could command a healthy share of the Gulf's IPO surge in the next two years Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Tech Think local: the best weapon in the fight to topple an e-commerce giant E-commerce will be shaped not just by the products offered but by the people behind them A Mena startup can outwit a global behemoth if it uses its insider knowledge of its customers Dawei Wang, Head of editorial and insights, Manara Global
