Saudi Arabia’s real GDP contracts 0.8% in 2023

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP shrinks 0.8% in 2023, oil sector weighs

The latest data shows that the economy contracted by 4.3 per cent in Q4 2023 after a 16.2 per cent year-on-year decrease in oil activities

Etihad Airways

Etihad to fly double-daily flights to Rome soon

The double-daily services will be operated utilising Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft from Etihad’s modern wide-body fleet

Mamou Marianna, the head of Advice Beyond Investing at UBS Chief Investment Office, shares the impact of the global gender retirement gap and it its implications for the Middle East.

The global gender retirement gap and its regional impact

Another important consideration regarding pension allocation and savings for retirement is that women face a higher probability of retiring early

ADQ

Ramadan 2024: Abu Dhabi Police announces change in traffic rules

Traffic patrols will be on high alert across all roads, with additional enforcement through smart traffic systems

UAE - GREECE

UAE-Greece talks: Masdar, Mubadala expand partnership

Trade volumes between the UAE and Greece surged by 6.2 per cent during the first nine months of 2023, underscoring the resilient bilateral economic relations

Saudi Aramco eyes more China investments

Aramco sees China demand growing, eyes more investments

The state-owned energy giant has been ramping up its China presence in a string of deals in refining and petrochemicals

ramadan moon

Ramadan 2024 dates announced by Saudi Arabia, UAE

Saudi Arabia has announced the dates for the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan

Aramco - oil supply to China

Aramco boosts 2023 dividends 30% with second-highest profit on record

Aramco’s shares were up about 1.7 per cent to SAR32.3 a share, slightly above their 2019 IPO price of SAR32

uae weather - school - rain - alef education - IPO

Dubai schools, nurseries can conduct online classes on Monday: KHDA

As a precautionary measure, residents, parents are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and exercise caution when venturing outdoors

parkin

Dubai’s RTA announces Ramadan hours for parking, public transport

The adjustments in service hours ensure parking and public services are accessible for residents and visitors during the month of Ramadan

LNG expansion plans to squeeze out competitors

Saudi Aramco, UAE’s ADNOC in talks to invest in US LNG projects: Reports

Saudi Aramco is in talks to invest in phase 2 of Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG project in Texas

F-16 Block 70 fighter jets

Bahrain receives Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 fighter jets

The F-16 Block 70 jets are equipped with state-of-the-art features including the APG-83 AESA Radar and advanced avionics

Egypt raises minimum wage by 50% as part of ‘urgent’ package

How big are Egypt’s economic challenges?

As many as 60 per cent of Egypt’s 106 million citizens are estimated to be below or close to the poverty line

UAE oman - rain - wet weather

UAE, Oman issue alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms

Authorities in the UAE and Oman have issued a severe weather warning for Saturday, March 9

women chauffer blacklane

Driving change: Blacklane powers gender equality one car at a time

Blacklane’s chauffeur service achieves gender equality with an impressive 50 per cent female chauffeurs within one year of service

Breaking barriers: Logitech’s Loubna Imenchal on women leadership in the tech industry

Gulf Business talks to Logitech’s top executive in the region about collectively shaping a more equitable and compassionate tech industry

AVIATION - DUBAI AIRPORTS

Empowering women in aviation: Insights from Michelle Lee of Dubai Airports

Balancing career and family can be done and Michelle Lee of Dubai Airports explains how in this conversation with Gulf Business

PIF’s Ceer to build $1.3bn EV factory in Saudi Arabia

PIF’s Ceer awards $1.3bn contract for EV factory in Saudi Arabia

The electric carmaker awarded the contract for a production facility spanning more than one million square meters

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ reportedly picks banks for Etihad Airways IPO

The sovereign fund may add more banks later and the final lineup of advisers may change as there is no final decision on the timing of the IPO

Qatar Airways unveils world’s first AI cabin crew

Meet world’s first AI cabin crew: Qatar Airways’ Sama 2.0

Sama 2.0 is fluent in English and the airline said she will expand to Arabic and other languages later this year to cater to its global audience

Saudi Arabia transfers 8% Aramco stake to PIF

Saudi Arabia doubles sovereign fund’s stake in Aramco

The fund has held a 4 per cent stake in Aramco since 2022 and indirectly holds another 4 per cent that was transferred last year to Sanabil

women - hr - IWD 2024

International Women’s Day: Professor Fiona Robson examines progress and struggles for women in the workplace

Professor Fiona offered valuable advice for women aspiring to leadership roles, emphasising the importance of continuous learning, confidence, and seizing opportunities

ARISTA REAL ESTATE

Arista Properties’ Emma Brain talks luxury real estate and being a woman in the built sector: IWD 2024 special

The Arista Properties executive highlights the growing role of women in shaping the future of real estate in the region.

women - law

Celebrating the rise and rise of women arbitrators in Saudi Arabia: An IWD 2024 special

This International Women’s Day, a look at the changing landscape for women in the field of arbitration

Dubai ruler imposes 20% tax on foreign banks

Sheikh Mohammed issues law imposing 20% tax on foreign banks in Dubai

Foreign banks that violate the law face a stiff penalty of not more than Dhs500,000

UAE - WEATHER - RAIN-NCEMA

UAE: NCEMA warns of severe weather event, announces road closures

Authorities have warned of a severe weather event impacting certain parts of the UAE in the coming days

UAE WEATHER

UAE wet weather alert: NCEMA to hold media briefing

Oncoming rainy conditions are forecast for most parts of the UAE

What's On

Industry heavyweights shine bright at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2024

The ceremony was an extra celebration that saw What’s On and Motivate Media Group mark 45 monumental years

Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf.

Tahaluf CEO Michael Champion on LEAP 2024’s explosive growth

In this interview, Tahaluf CEO Michael Champion gives us insight into what it takes to host and organise LEAP 2024 in Riyadh

UAE - SPACE - NASA

Mission-ready: UAE astronauts complete NASA training

The NASA programme further expanded astronauts’ skill set to cover critical areas such as spacewalking, robotics and piloting the T-38 training jet