Analysis Agriculture Morocco aims to become the world’s premier fertiliser producer Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has upset the global agricultural industry in more ways than one – but for Morocco, one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers, it has presented an opportunity. Not only were Russia and Ukraine some of the world’s most important wheat and grain exporters, but they also played a central role in […] November 15, 2022
Analysis Sustainability 30 of the most sustainable companies in the Middle East With Cop27 beginning today in Egypt, we focus on 30 businesses tackling the social and environmental challenges that threaten the region Middle Eastern companies large and small are going green as they realise the environmental and commercial potential of being socially conscious. Governments are also focusing on sustainability, placing green projects at the heart of […] November 6, 2022
Analysis Sustainability Egypt’s Cop27 will see developing nations call for ‘climate justice’ Drought and famine haunt the Middle East. The Dead Sea has fallen to its lowest level in centuries. Starved of food and fresh water, desperate migrants criss-cross the Mediterranean, fomenting social unrest and violence. Within a few decades, a healthy global trade network has collapsed. Every major settlement has been abandoned or razed to the […] October 21, 2022
Sustainability UAE launches think tank to drive net zero 2050 ambitions The launch of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) was announced on Tuesday to drive the UAE’s commitment towards net zero by 2050. The UICCA is a non-partisan, climate action entity that will bring together members of the public and private sector, including academic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In the lead-up to the […] September 21, 2022
Economy Oman to open up new sectors as it targets $29bn investments New investment opportunities will be offered in food security, health, culture and sports sectors by next month, the Oman Daily Observer reported. The investment opportunities are part of the estimated OR 11 billion ($28.57 billion) in total investment, which is being offered to local and international players over the 2021-2025 period, said Aisha Al Saifi, […] September 7, 2022
Opinion Energy How big data will save the planet A clear and trusted data strategy is a must as we progress through a complex and critical energy transition process from carbon to clean August 25, 2022
Analysis Sustainability Beeah: the hero of zero waste is ready for its next mission The emirate of Sharjah is poised to become the Middle East’s first zero-waste city, after building the region’s first waste-to-energy plant. Yet even before the plant’s inauguration in May, Sharjah had the highest waste diversion rate in the region, at 76 percent, thanks to the pioneering efforts of local environmental and waste management group Beeah. […] August 23, 2022
Analysis Food & Drink Gulf serves up locally farmed salmon – and better food security From the old man who dredged up a djinn to the boy who netted an emerald, fishermen populate the folk stories of the Arab world. But the dhow fleets of the Gulf no longer provide a lifeline for local economies. By contrast, aquaculture – the farming of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants – has begun […] August 23, 2022
Analysis Sustainability Make it rain: UAE pins its hopes on cloud seeding Condensation streaming down windows is a familiar sight in Dubai’s summer, an illusion of rain at the hottest time of year. The UAE’s average rainfall is extremely low in August, but in recent years there has been a rise, which some experts attribute to cloud seeding – when a dedicated fleet of planes take to […] August 23, 2022
Analysis Energy Sharjah wins waste-to-energy race as rest of region cleans up its act Dubai had the Gulf’s first “seven-star” hotel and Abu Dhabi hosted the inaugural “day-night” Formula One Grand Prix. The emirate of Sharjah can claim a UAE first too – one that is less glitzy but potentially more transformative – the first waste-to-energy power plant. The Sharjah waste-to-energy facility, officially inaugurated in May, adds another dimension […] August 23, 2022
Exclusive Tech UAE agtech startup aims to disrupt $500bn fodder industry A UAE agtech startup is aiming to disrupt the $500 billion livestock feed industry, as prices rise on the back of supply chain disruptions caused by the Ukraine war. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations reported last week that, while the FAO Food Price Index declined 8.6 percent month-on-month in July […] August 17, 2022
Analysis Kenya general election ‘could delay’ trade deal with UAE The UAE and Kenya are launching talks to form a free trade agreement to boost bilateral economic ties. But political uncertainty in the east African country could hamper efforts to collaborate on shared priorities such as oil, gas, technology and ports, experts say. The two countries signed a joint statement on July 28 pledging to […] August 9, 2022
Opinion Banking and Finance Let’s make it faster and cheaper to send money home Millions of families depend on the funds sent by loved ones overseas. Policymakers and industry must simplify the process now August 2, 2022
Analysis Agriculture Food security report delivers stark warning to import-reliant Gulf GCC governments must step up their efforts to develop agri-food technology and recycle waste, a new food security report has warned. The Gulf is one of the world’s most import-dependent regions. The main food security challenge for the GCC is a natural or man-made crisis that could block one or more countries’ access to imports, […] August 2, 2022
Analysis Food & Drink Poor Arab nations face hunger despite Ukraine grain deal Middle East and African countries dependent on Ukrainian grain face the prospect of crippling food insecurity, hunger and misery, despite a deal to restart exports blockaded amid the Russian war. Moscow’s promises may prove unreliable, while skyrocketing grain prices could spell dire outcomes for the region’s hungriest and most vulnerable nations, experts told AGBI. The […] July 28, 2022
People & Lifestyle 20 MENA innovators to watch Meet the young game changers who have set their sights on transforming the Middle East and North Africa July 20, 2022
Tech Emirates-US joint venture opens world’s largest vertical farm Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and US-based Crop One have announced the opening of Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic farm, backed by an investment of $40 million. The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between the two companies, and is located near Al Maktoum airport at Dubai World Central. […] July 18, 2022
Opinion Sustainability Blockchain is the antidote to greenwashing Reporting ESG investments accurately is complex - companies need to embrace digital transformation July 18, 2022
Opinion Biden Middle East Biden missed the chance to make food security his biggest draw The spectre of hunger stalks many Arab states as grain supplies run thin July 18, 2022
Analysis Development I2U2: America’s answer to curbing China and upping food security Israel, India, the US and the United Arab Emirates came together on Thursday for an historic meeting as the “I2U2” collective. The futuristic name refers to the first letters of the four countries. US president Joe Biden and Israel’s prime minister, Yair Lapid, lent the initiative a maiden boost, joining a four-way call in Jerusalem […] July 14, 2022
Exclusive Tech Red Sea Farms ploughs new ground as investments soar Saudi-based Red Sea Farms is planning to ride the wave of increased global investments in agricultural technology by organising a Series A funding round later this year. The move follows an oversubscribed Pre-Series A round last year of $16 million and also a recent strategic raise of $18.5 million. “The proceeds of our successful fundraise […] July 12, 2022
Exclusive Tech Pure Harvest aims to grow UAE’s next $1bn unicorn startup “Why did such a promising young man leave Silicon Valley to grow tomatoes in the desert?”. It’s a question Stanford University business graduate and former private equity investor Sky Kurtz says he gets asked a lot, even by his own father-in-law. “My wife’s father thought I’d lost my mind. He was literally like, ‘there’s something […] July 4, 2022
