Renewable Energy Tunisia signs green hydrogen deals to step up production Tunisia has signed six agreements with international companies to develop green hydrogen production as it seeks to expand its clean fuel production capacity. The North African country aims to produce 8.3 million tonnes of green hydrogen and its derivatives by 2050 under its green hydrogen strategy, which was released in October 2023. Much of the […] July 31, 2024
ANALYSIS Industry Made in Morocco – industrial giants just keep on investing Rabat's deals with manufacturers from the US, Europe and Asia provide a model of co-operation for the Arab world July 30, 2024
Opinion Oil & Gas Oil traders’ view from the beach is not entirely sunny There's a lot to think about over the summer, from luxury handbags to China's economy July 29, 2024
Opinion Business of Sport Hosting the Olympics is set to be a marathon for Gulf bidders If Qatar and Saudia Arabia bid for 2036 they face a race against time to train medal-winning talent July 29, 2024
Analysis Tourism Corporate travel rising as Dubai plays perfect host Dubai has won 175 deals so far this year that will boost the emirate’s corporate and business travel sector over the next four years. The events, representing an increase of almost a quarter year on year, include international conferences, congresses and meetings. They’re expected to bring more than 92,000 delegates to the city, according to […] July 29, 2024
Opinion Aviation Flynas saves the best for last at Farnborough Airshow This year the headline-grabbing deals arrived later than expected July 26, 2024
Renewable Energy Masdar buys stake in Spanish utilities company Endesa The UAE’s state-owned clean energy company Masdar has agreed to acquire a minority stake in Spanish electric utility business Endesa to partner for 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy assets in Spain. Under the agreement, subject to regulatory approval, Masdar will invest nearly $890 million to acquire a 49.99 percent stake in Endesa, with an […] July 26, 2024
Analysis Real Estate Canary Wharf’s evolution is a nod to QIA change of strategy The futuristic designs for the former HSBC Holdings headquarters in London’s Canary Wharf may provide a glimpse into the strategy in recent years of one of its major shareholders – the Qatar Investment Authority. Reportedly a casualty of the Covid pandemic and subsequent shift to remote working, 8 Canada Square is to be turned into […] July 26, 2024
Economy Tunisia approves $54m loan from Italy Tunisia has officially approved a €50 million ($54 million) loan from Italy to support its state budget for the current financial year. The loan was originally signed in April. It will be repaid over 40 years with a 31-year grace period and a zero percent interest rate. Tunisia’s current account deficit narrowed to 2.3 percent […] July 24, 2024
Retail ADIA considers $1bn funding in Nestlé ice cream Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is considering a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) investment in a French company that was set up as a joint venture with Nestlé. The investment would be into Froneri, an ice cream manufacturer that was established in 2016 as a partnership between Nestlé and PAI Partners, a private equity company. The […] July 24, 2024
Oil & Gas Analysts optimistic on oil but the price stays steady Global hedge funds and money managers have become increasingly optimistic about the short term outlook for oil prices in recent months, despite the oil price remaining flat at around $80 a barrel. The net length held by hedge funds and other money managers in WTI (West Texas Intermediate) futures and options has risen to its […] July 23, 2024
Media & Advertising UAE’s RedBird IMI hopes for speedy sale of The Telegraph Nadhim Zahawi, the former chancellor of the UK, is fronting one of seven bids to buy the Daily Telegraph newspaper and The Spectator magazine, which is owned by RedBird IMI, a US investment group backed by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments. The deadline for the first round of bidding was completed on Friday, although more offers […] July 23, 2024
Opinion Business of Sport Gulf countries vie to add Olympics to the trophy cabinet Qatar and Saudi Arabia are keen to bid despite sky high costs July 22, 2024
Analysis Sustainability Morocco lures manufacturers to avoid EU carbon taxes Morocco is looking at investing in carbon dioxide capture and storage to attract manufacturers to the country who want to avoid the EU’s upcoming carbon tax on imports. The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will come into effect in 2026, will tax imports of goods such as steel, cement and fertilisers into […] July 22, 2024
Video length: 04:06 VIDEO Banking & Finance GCC investors in UK warned of new tax liabilities The newly elected Labour government is expected to introduce a range of tax changes that will impact British expatriates living overseas, non-doms and the UK’s community of wealthy foreign investors. Tax consultants suggest that GCC investors considering selling their UK assets should do it “sooner rather than later” to escape the hikes that could significantly […] July 17, 2024
Aviation Iraq given boost in plan to lift European flight ban Iraq has moved a step closer to returning its flag carrier to European skies after receiving the support of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Iraqi Airways was originally banned from Europe in 1991 due to safety concerns. Restrictions were briefly lifted in 2009 but enforced again in 2015 as the airline failed to meet […] July 17, 2024
Tourism Near-space balloon flights to start from Abu Dhabi next year European space exploration company Eos-X Space will begin operating balloon flights to the edge of space from Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of 2025, as it aims to gain a bigger stake in the $9 billion space tourism industry. The UAE capital will host the launch facility and spaceport, including a hotel complex on […] July 17, 2024
Oil & Gas Italy’s Saipem awarded Aramco contracts worth $500m Saipem, an Italian oil services company, has been awarded contracts for two offshore projects worth $500 million from Saudi Aramco as part of its existing long-term agreement with the Saudi oil giant. The first project’s work scope involves engineering, procurement, construction and installation of a crude trunkline for the Abu Safa field. The second project involves […] July 16, 2024
Manufacturing Henkel expands Gulf presence with Riyadh factory German consumer goods group Henkel has opened a beauty care production facility in Riyadh amid a localisation drive by the Saudi government. The facility in Riyadh will produce a range of products under the Pert brand, including shampoos, conditioners and other specialised items. No details were given on the production capacity and cost of the facility. […] July 16, 2024
Opinion Finance The Thames Water crisis makes waves for the UK’s Labour Party A government bailout is no longer unthinkable and Gulf investors will have grave concerns July 15, 2024
Sustainability Bahrain signs ship recycling deal with Maersk Bahrain has signed an agreement with Danish shipping and logistics company A.P. Møller-Mærsk to create a ship recycling plant in the country. Maersk – the parent company of APM Terminals Bahrain and operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) – will supply old vessels to the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company, which will dismantle […] July 15, 2024
Business of Sport Saudi PIF ups stake in Newcastle United to 85% Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund – the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – has increased its stake in Newcastle United football club to 85 percent from 80 percent. PIF and RB Sports & Media, the sporting arm of the UK-based Reuben Brothers, will together acquire PCP Capital Partners’ shareholding in the club, the stake co-owned by […] July 15, 2024