UAE and Nigeria

UAE resumes visa issuance to Nigerians

The development follows the resumption of flights between the two countries in May, which were halted for over two years, due to a payment backlog

Saudia-Grp-1

Saudi’s investment ministry and Saudia Group sign deal to boost investment

The agreement aims to provide a slew of benefits tailored for global companies seeking to relocate to the kingdom

Egypt lowers 2025 wheat self-sufficiency target to 51%

Egypt lowers 2025 wheat self-sufficiency target to 51%

The government buys wheat internationally and locally in order to offer tens of millions of its citizens subsidised bread

Riyadh named among top 15 cities in Savills growth hubs index GettyImages

Riyadh ranks among the top 15 fastest-developing cities, shows index

Riyadh is the only non-Asian city featured in Savills Growth Hubs Index and its potential is linked to a forecasted 26 per cent population growth

UAE-Japan sign MOUs

UAE, Japan strengthen strategic partnership, sign MoUs

The two sides reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative, focusing on joint projects aimed at sustainable economic growth

Abu Dhabi non-oil gdp grwos by 59 per cent over a 10-year period GettyImages-1146024499-1-e1704043948632

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP sees 59% growth in 10 years

In the past decade, Abu Dhabi’s construction sector has grown by 22.6 per cent, finance and insurance by 39 per cent, and manufacturing sector by 102 per cent

Gen Z - Green jobs

‘Eco-anxious’ Gen Z want to work in green jobs but don’t have the skills: Study

A recent survey found that only 1 in 20 Gen Z workers possess the “green skills” necessary to combat the climate crisis

UAE law on counterfeit goods and services - anti-commercial fraud law

Understanding UAE’s new law on counterfeit goods and services

This new legal framework intends to safeguard consumers from deceitful practices and ensure that the UAE’s commercial environment remains fair and competitive

Egypt sees progress on loan program

European firms sign 20 deals with Egypt as EU looks to bolster ties

European officials say they want to help Egypt become more resilient by boosting investment in the private sector

Dubai approves Dhs25bn in new investment incentives

Dubai announces Dhs25bn in new investment incentives

The foreign investment development programme is designed to attract Dhs650bn of investments to the emirate over the next ten years

Emiratisation UAE

MoHRE sets June 30 deadline for Emiratisation targets compliance

MoHRE commended the companies that have already met the required growth in Emiratisation

CBUAE adjusts inflation forecast for 2024, outlook remains positive

UAE central bank adjusts inflation forecast for 2024

In April, food and beverage inflation declined to 2.3 per cent, down from an average of 3.3 per cent seen in the first quarter

Abu Dhabi launches first-of-its-kind Family Business Index

Abu Dhabi launches first-of-its-kind Family Business Index

The index will provide a deeper understanding of the role and impact of family businesses on the economy and society

GCC’s non-oil sector sees robust growth despite production cuts

GCC’s non-oil sector sees robust growth despite production cuts, ICAEW says

The overall GCC budget position is projected to remain somewhat in surplus this year, driven by robust financial standings and favourable credit ratings

Egypt

World Bank announces $700m in financing for Egypt

The World Bank projects that the support programme will create jobs, strengthen the economy, and enhance Egypt’s resilience to environmental and economic challenges

Bahrain attracts recordbreaking FDI flows in 2023 Getty-Images-1471641887

Bahrain attracted record FDI inflows of $6.8bn in 2023

The top countries contributing to Bahrain’s FDI stocks as part of a diverse portfolio include Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

UAE - Millionaire

Wealth Migration Report 2024: The UAE remains a millionaire’s favourite country

The report shows a significant increase in HNWI migrations, highlighting a growing trend of millionaires seeking stability and opportunity in favourable jurisdictions

UAE DUBAI cost of living

Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking: How expensive is Dubai?

The ranking highlights how cities around the world fare in terms of living expenses for expatriates

G7 ITALY

What’s on the G7 agenda?

The summit is due to kick off on June 13 with a discussion about Africa, climate change, and development

interest rate

CBUAE holds interest rate at 5.40%, mirroring US Fed’s decision

The US Fed’s decision to pause rate adjustments comes as inflation levels, although declining, has not required drastic changes in the economic landscape

Saudi Arabia’s Q1 GDP contracts by 1.7%

Saudi Arabia’s Q1 GDP shrinks estimated 1.7% YoY

Oil activities were down 11.2 per cent in the first quarter versus the previous year, while non-oil GDP grew 3.4 per cent year on year

Egypt sees progress on loan program

Egypt will have access to about $820m subject to IMF Board approval, fund says

The IMF said its Executive Board would consider the staff agreement and disbursement in the coming weeks

Emiratisation UAE

UAE government records revenues of $18.03bn in 2023

The figures were part of the consolidated financial statement published by the UAE’s Ministry of Finance

midday break - mohre

UAE announces midday break from June 15 to September 15: What you need to know

Daily working hours, in the morning and evening shifts, shall not exceed eight hours during the months of the midday break

Bahrain

Bahrain’s credit rating ‘stable’ at B+/B amid economic challenges: S&P

S&P’s affirmation of Bahrain’s credit ratings and stable outlook highlights the country’s ongoing fiscal reforms and support from GCC allies

Egypt’s central bank keeps key interest rates unchanged

Egypt’s central bank keeps key interest rates unchanged

The monetary policy committee left the lending rate unchanged at 28.25 per cent and the deposit rate at 27.25 per cent

UAE

UAE economy grew 4.3% in fourth quarter of 2023

Financial and insurance activities, transportation and storage, real estate and construction sectors were among the top growth sectors

IMF sees UAE’s GDP expanding by 4% in 2024

UAE economy to grow by 4% in 2024, says IMF

The fund had projected in April that the country’s economy would grow by 3.5 per cent this year

Egypt-ras al-hekma-UN-HABITAT

Egypt receives second payment of $14bn from UAE

The deal with Abu Dhabi sovereign fund ADQ to develop the peninsula 200 km west of Alexandria includes a total of $35bn in investments

CEO and board of directors

In the dark hours: 5 challenges haunting Middle East CEOs

A recent survey of over a hundred CEOs and board members in the Middle East highlights concerns about leadership attraction, development, and planning