Real Estate Super-rich Muslims seek homes in Saudi holy cities Wealthy Muslims are keen to take advantage of golden residency visas in Saudi Arabia to buy nearly $2 billion of property in Mecca, Medina and Riyadh, according to new research. Just over 500 high-net-worth individuals from nine countries with a sizeable Muslim population – Algeria, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Turkey – […] March 14, 2024
Exclusive Real Estate Dar Global spin-off to use AI in real estate marketing Dar Global, the London-listed arm of the Saudi Arabian real estate developer Dar Al Arkan, is establishing a venture dedicated to finding technological solutions to real estate companies’ biggest challenges. Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, told AGBI that the company’s new Propgenuis spin-off would introduce tools aimed at automating social media management for […] March 13, 2024
Opinion Infrastructure Saving the old with the new: how tech can revive historic cities Technology can help protect heritage locations from multiple modern threats March 12, 2024
Opinion Media & Advertising Pay attention to consumers’ changing behaviours during Ramadan Marketers are looking at ways to understand and capitalise on the days and weeks following Eid March 11, 2024
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality Dubai becomes the centre of the Rolls-Royce universe The Gulf's long love affair with the elite motor car is made official March 8, 2024
Analysis Employment Alstom breaks mould as Gulf lags on hiring women as CEOs Dalya Al Muthanna is a member of an exclusive club. In January she became Gulf CEO for the transport giant Alstom, the company behind tram systems in Dubai and Qatar. She was previously a senior executive at GE in the UAE, bucking the trend of men dominating senior C-suite jobs in the Gulf. Just 5 […] March 8, 2024
Video length: 04:50 VIDEO Real Estate Dubai luxury real estate has stabilised, says Deyaar CEO Demand for mid-segment and affordable properties will increase in the coming months as luxury real estate prices start to stabilise, according to Saeed Al Qatami, CEO of the Dubai master developer Deyaar Development. “This is a segment that will see more demand and an increase in prices. Luxury has stabilised,” Al Qatami said. Last month […] March 7, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Health For those who want ‘IVF and a holiday’ … Dubai’s next hotel A fertility clinic-resort is opening soon, thanks to changes in UAE law on assisted reproduction March 6, 2024
Employment UAE to invest $1.7bn to place more Emiratis in private sector jobs The UAE is aiming to add 36,000 Emiratis to the private sector workforce this year and has approved a $1.7 billion budget to support Emiratisation. The number of UAE nationals working in the private sector was about 92,000 by the end of 2023, according to the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council. Nearly 42,000 joined private businesses […] March 6, 2024
Tech Saudi Arabia backs tech startup sector with $888m Saudi Arabia has announced investments worth $888 million to support the local tech startup and venture capital sector. The funds will support industries such as digital payments, e-gaming and artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was made on the second day of the Leap international technology conference taking place this week in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has […] March 6, 2024
Food & Drink Kuwait’s Alshaya lays off Mena Starbucks staff Kuwait’s Alshaya Group, one of the Gulf’s largest franchise owners, is cutting jobs at its Starbucks outlets. The coffee brand has suffered from calls for a boycott since the start of the Gaza conflict. “As a result of the continually challenging trading conditions over the last six months, we have taken the sad and very […] March 5, 2024
Opinion People & Lifestyle Fun of the Fair – the wacky world of Art Dubai The annual culture blast is a good barometer of the emirate's economic fortunes March 1, 2024
Banking & Finance Abu Dhabi courts celebrity investors to make its mark Abu Dhabi is increasingly turning to celebrities, from actors and comedians to boxers and writers, to increase its presence on the world stage. The UAE’s capital has attracted entrepreneurs from around the world who are investing and expanding their businesses in the emirate. Among the latest to announce plans to invest in Abu Dhabi are […] March 1, 2024
Construction Dubai Science Park reveals expansion plans Dubai’s biotechnology free zone is adding 60 percent more offices, laboratories and warehouses over the next few years to cater for an influx of new companies, its senior vice-president told AGBI. Dubai Science Park, part of Dubai-listed Tecom Group, is planning an expansion of 200,000 sq ft of additional storage and logistics facilities at the […] February 23, 2024
Opinion Media & Advertising Message from Saudi Arabia: good journalism is good business The Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh illustrates the kingdom's growing bravado February 23, 2024
Banking & Finance Saudi remittances fall as expats invest domestically Expatriate remittances from Saudi Arabia have fallen over the past two years, despite a rise in the number of overseas workers needed to develop the kingdom’s slate of huge giga-projects. Some experts have predicted the slump in funds sent back home could be as a result of improved investment opportunities inside the kingdom. Yearly remittances […] February 22, 2024
Opinion Health Gulf’s longevity sector has a long way to go Growing lifespans call for a joined-up approach to personalised medicine, preventative care and nutrition February 21, 2024
Media & Advertising Abu Dhabi-backed venture buys UK TV production giant RedBird IMI, partly owned by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments, is buying Britain’s largest independent television producer All3Media in a deal worth £1.15 billion ($1.45 billion). A joint venture between International Media Investments and New York private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI is also currently bidding for the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper All3Media […] February 19, 2024
Media & Advertising Saudi Arabia sets up Big Time film investment fund Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has set up the Big Time investment fund to support pan-Arab cinema, in Riyadh’s latest push to develop soft power through sports and culture. The authority’s head Turki Alalshikh said during a visit to Cairo that the entertainment authority would act as the Big Time fund’s main sponsor along with […] February 19, 2024
Opinion Media & Advertising After Tucker-Putin, some advice for media interviews There are some words and phrases that always announce 'car crash ahead' February 16, 2024
Tourism Wellness resort leads Egypt’s medical tourism push Plans for Egypt’s first wellness resort have been revealed as experts forecast an increase in the number of medical visitors to the country. Maxim Group has signed an agreement with the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones to establish Naya Wellness Resort in Al-Saf, Giza. About $48 million is being invested in the resort, part […] February 14, 2024
Opinion Media & Advertising Middle East neighbours can be digitally very different When it comes to internet usage and social media, the region's countries do not necessarily align February 13, 2024