#GCC

Real-time payments

Real-time payments set to underpin economic growth in the GCC

ACI Worldwide lists three main drivers that enable and accelerate the move towards real-time payments in the region

Zurich-YouGov survey

Children’s tuition fees a key concern for GCC professionals in pharma, telecom sector, reveals survey

According to the survey, 71 per cent of UAE parents across these industries don’t have an education savings plan, and spend a significant amount of their monthly income on tuition fees

Gulf deals

Cash-rich Gulf funds splurge on mega deals as liquidity dries up

The region’s largest sovereign wealth funds have been involved in at least $28.6bn worth of acquisitions outside the Middle East and Africa this year

Honor Magic4 Pro

Here’s how Honor Magic4 Pro is transforming user experience

With innovative technologies and compelling features, Honor’s new flagship, the Honor Magic4 Pro is aiming to set new benchmarks in the smartphone industry

Oppo Hasselblad

Cover story: A look at OPPO and Hasselblad’s blend of classic and contemporary

OPPO has enabled cutting-edge imaging technology in its Find X5 series, thanks to its strategic collaboration with veteran camera manufacturer Hasselblad

construction

How digitalisation in construction can foster collaboration

Technology such as building information modelling is improving efficiency in construction by ensuring time savings and cost reductions

UK launches negotiations for free trade deal with GCC

The deal would add at least £1.6bn a year to the UK economy and support new jobs across key industries

GCC smartphone

GCC smartphone market suffers decline as demand continues to weaken

The GCC smartphone market was worth $2.09bn in Q4 2021, a decrease of 4.5 per cent quarter on quarter

central bank

UAE Central Bank raises base rate by 75 basis points

Central banks across the GCC have also raised their interest rates

UAE’s trade surplus with GCC countries equals Dhs134.7bn in 2021

UAE imports from GCC countries in 2021 increased to Dhs56.3bn, compared to Dhs43.8bn in 2020

investment firms

How GCC investment firms can adapt to capture new opportunities

Private equity firms, principal investors, and SWFs in the region need to respond to rapidly evolving societal goals and expectations on sustainability

Middle East IPOs

Middle East IPOs on track for best ever first half as oil surges

IPOs in the Middle East have fetched $11.4bn in the first five months of the year

Arcserve

Arcserve, Ampconnect partner to accelerate business growth in the GCC

The partnership will empower both organisations to meet the growing demand for unified data resilience solutions in the region

Landmarks Of The City Of Riyadh, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia posts $15bn surplus on soaring oil income

The boost was mainly driven by oil revenue, which rose 58 per cent compared to last year

Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco’s profit soars as oil prices and production jump

Aramco’s output averaged 10.2 million barrels a day between January and March, up 20 per cent year-on-year

Dubai

Dubai welcomes 3.97 million overnight visitors in Q1 2022

In the first three months of 2022, hotels across Dubai achieved average occupancy levels of 82 per cent

Dubai

ATM 2022: Dubai receives 630,000 health tourists in 2021

As many as 55 per cent of the international health tourists were men, while 45 per cent were women

Kuwait

Kuwait seeks to invest $750m in Pakistan projects

Kuwait Investment Authority’s Enertech Holding Co. and Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company have applied for a digital bank license and proposed a hydrogen plant and two smart cities

Oil exporters bagging $818bn windfall are cautioned by IMF

The IMF said it expects the bonanza “to improve fiscal and external balances” in a region that includes 13 exporters in total

Emirates to add extra flights

Dubai’s Emirates to add extra flights, more seats across GCC, Middle East

Customers can purchase tickets on the carrier’s website, at its sales offices or via travel and online travel agents

The changing landscape of investment advisory across UAE and GCC

Clients are increasingly seeking the advice of asset managers who possess a rich knowledge of local and regional market dynamics

OPPO launches Reno7 series across GCC

The Reno7 series is available to pre-order from March 16, 2022, across the GCC region with additional gifts worth up to Dhs797

Four trends to reboot the GCC construction sector in 2022

Rising up to these opportunities will not only offer up success, but set early-movers apart as industry role models

Boardroom

The potential consequences of encouraging diversity in boardrooms

A diverse board has some major benefits including better decision-making capability, more effective utilisation of talent, increased corporate reputation and improved investor relations

gcc tourism

The possible growth avenues for the GCC’s tourism market

There is much potential for GCC countries to offer digitally-enhanced experience tourism alongside innovative offerings

Tourism airport

Special report: The power of the GCC as a source market for global tourism

The size and monetary value of the outbound GCC tourism market were never in question – but what are its challenges, opportunities and key growth drivers in the foreseeable future?

Special report: How the GCC is poised to develop as a major destination market for global tourism

The region is building its infrastructure and programmes to transform into a major tourist destination over the next few decades

Qatar

Qatar updates Covid-19 PCR testing rules for inbound citizens and residents

Vaccinated citizens and residents are not required to conduct a pre-departure PCR test before travelling to Qatar, provided that the country they are departing from is not on the red list

Rising momentum of the region’s banking sector

GCC banks are paving the way for a promising year

VisitBritain launches GBP10m global tourism campaign in Dubai

The campaign aims to drive inbound tourism, as Britain gears up for a year of landmark events