#GCC

china-arab states expo

China-Arab States Expo closes with $24bn worth of deals

The fifth edition of the biennial China-Arab States Expo was held in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from August 19-22

Education 2.0: How the GCC’s academic landscape is moving forward

With the education sector having gone through a metamorphosis in the past year and a half, what does the future hold?

Here’s why GCC investors should be looking at Uzbekistan

The country has embarked on an ambitious economic transformation strategy as it transitions to ‘New Uzbekistan’

Ntechlab

NtechLab expands into GCC with its face recognition tool

The company has announced the opening of its Gulf representative office in Abu Dhabi

Explainer: Are physical events making a comeback in the GCC?

Events that are the leaders in their sector will probably recover quicker as customers will reduce the number of exhibitions they attend, opines Andy White, senior vice president, dmg events

Esports Valorant

Strike Arabia Championship, region’s first Valorant competition launched

The competition will see local teams qualify for Europe’s last chance qualifier mega event

Saudi Arabia Riyadh

Saudi Arabia issues highest-ever number of foreign investor licences in a single quarter

It issued 478 licenses in Q1 2021, a 36 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year

digital

Riding the wave of digital transformation 2.0

As we embark upon a new month of working in full-remote or hybrid environments, many organisations are realising that the workplace will likely never look the same again

Developer of UAE National Rail Network completes excavation of the GCC’s longest rail tunnel

The 1.8km tunnel cuts through the Hajar Mountain towards emirate of Fujairah

Responsible AI

The path to responsible AI

Hundreds of billions of dollars in commercial AI revenue is expected to flow to the Middle East by 2030, and contribute heavily to double-digit GDP growth

Manama Bahrain

IMF says Bahrain needs ‘urgent fiscal adjustment’ after virus

The fund projects Bahrain’s economy will grow 3.3 per cent this year

Crossborder alliances: What does the future hold for the regional cleantech sector

Asher Fredman, CEO of Gulf-Israel Green Ventures, discusses all thing sustainable with Gulf Business in the aftermath of the Abraham Accords

Cover story: Mastercard’s regional head on developing a financially equitable future

In this exclusive interview, Raghu Malhotra, president of Mastercard Middle East and Africa speaks of the importance of financial inclusion, of leveraging key technologies and offers advice to leaders on handling a crisis

Swiss medical tourism

Why the Swiss medical tourism sector is looking to tap into the GCC

A delegation of medical operators from Switzerland recently visited the UAE to explore opportunities to grow the Swiss medical tourism sector

Oman

Oman: Complete lockdown declared for Eid Al Adha 2021

The sultanate also issued a revised list of countries from where entry will be banned as a precautionary measure

GCC: How can digital government services seize opportunities to accelerate trust

GCC governments must build data management trust, develop data governance policies, engage with end-users to ensure they are continuously informed, and drive sustained digital service delivery improvements

Here’s how you can allocate your investment portfolio in the current market

It is important to maintain liquidity while also diversifying your assets, according to AIX Investment Group

Explainer: Is data the new oil in the GCC?

Technology has now become a key driver of economic growth in the GCC, with data already defining the region’s future, opines Maurits Tichelman, VP – Sales, Marketing, and Communications and GM – Global Markets and Partners, EMEA at Intel

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa to eliminate single-use plastics in SIMs and recharge cards

It is aiming for its operations to become carbon neutral by the end of 2021

joshua jahani

Trends that will govern the regional wealth management space

Joshua Jahani, managing director of investment bank Jahani and Associates (J&A), provides an overview of the current wealth management landscape and evolving trends

Bahrain entry ban

Bahrain suspends entry of non-residents from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The indefinite entry ban has gone into effect from May 24, 2021

The future of wealthtech in the GCC

Older generations are also becoming more exposed to technology solutions that commoditise product offerings

GCC countries should prioritise economies, citizens and innovation in a post-Covid world

GCC governments need to pursue an aspirational future and bring it to life in a holistic and integrated way

Lebanon Foreign Affairs Minister Charbel Wehbe

UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Kuwait condemn Lebanese foreign minister’s comments on ISIS

Several GCC states summoned the Lebanese ambassador to their respective countries to protest the statements

DEWA to provide free charging to non-commercial electric vehicles in Dubai under new initiative

As of February 2021, the number of electric cars in Dubai has increased to 2,473

How interfaith relations will pave the way for an inclusive future in the Middle East

Rabbi Marc Schneier has been working tirelessly to champion the cause of interfaith relations and build bridges between the GCC and Israel. And slowly but surely, that journey has fructified

Google startup accelerator

Google opens registrations to MENA tech startups for accelerator programme

The three-month long programme will commence in mid-July 2021 and is for ‘Seed to Series’ startups in the region

Vox Cinemas to reopen The Avenues multiplex in Kuwait this month at 50% capacity

Moviegoers will have to be vaccinated and registered on Kuwait’s Immune App to be able to enter the cinema

Can GCC banks withstand further shocks due to the pandemic?

GDP growth in the GCC countries will slowly recover from last year’s sharp recession

Kuwait Airways

Kuwait indefinitely suspends passenger flights from India

All passengers arriving from India either directly or via another country will be banned from entering unless they have spent at least 14 days outside of India