#middle east

OPEC cuts oil demand outlook as it starts to curb production

OPEC expects that it will need to pump an average of 28.92 million barrels a day of crude to satisfy demand during the fourth quarter

PIF partners with Blackrock to explore investments in Saudi Arabia, Middle East

The two entities will collaborate to attract regional and international investors, and boost foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia

KFC

Gulf KFC operator seeks up to $1.8bn from Saudi, UAE IPO

The final offer price is expected to be announced on November 23 and trading on both exchanges will start December 6

Saudi Arabia commits $2.5 bn for Middle East Green Initiative

Saudi Arabia commits $2.5bn for Middle East Green Initiative

The Middle East Green Initiative was launched by the Crown Prince last year as part of efforts to reduce regional carbon emissions

Kuwait starts commercial operations at new Al-Zour mega-refinery

Kuwait starts commercial operations at new Al-Zour mega-refinery

Comprising three mini refineries, Al-Zour is the biggest of several oil-processing facilities being added across the Middle East

Web3 Middle East

Web3: Transforming the Middle East business landscape

The ability for blockchain to be adopted at a national level is a huge opportunity for it to step into the spotlight as the rightful pioneer in the Web3 space

Saudi Stock Exchange CEO Sees Strong IPO Pipeline in Busy Year

Saudi stock exchange CEO sees strong IPO pipeline in busy year

The Middle East is having a banner year for IPOs on the back of high oil prices, investor inflows and strong demand for share sales

Dubai district cooling firm Empower to sell 10% stake in IPO

The firm has said it expects the minimum dividend to remain at $231m annually for two years after the IPO

In conversation with Radisson Hotel Group’s Elie Milky

The vice president of business development shares Radisson Hotel Group’s plans in the Middle East, its growing focus on Saudi Arabia and upcoming openings

digital health

The dawn of digital health in the Middle East

Digitalisation can either replace human input totally or just facilitate or help a human to do a job easily and efficiently

Patricia Keating and Dr Antoine Khadige

Writing the next chapter in the region’s fintech success story

Greater private sector involvement is imperative if fintech is to grow and become stronger

Samuel Joy, founder of Huntr

Recruitment platform Huntr aims to enable increased transparency for job seekers

Samuel Joy, the founder and CEO of Huntr, explains how the tech application is automating the process of sourcing migrant candidates in the blue-collared space, making it easier and more transparent for both the candidates and companies

Insights: Ireland’s growing influence in the Middle East

The relationship with Ireland is strong and enduring at both a Federal and Emirate level

Emirates announces changes to commercial teams

Dubai’s Emirates announces changes to commercial team across Middle East, Europe, other regions

The new appointments will be effective from November 1

Hani Weiss Majid Al Futtaim CEO

How customer-centric technology is reshaping retail industry

Hani Weiss is the CEO at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, we spoke to him about how under a strategy of omnichannel retail, the challenges of digital transformation can be turned into opportunities

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Marriott International to open over 20 properties across the Middle East

Marriott International’s current portfolio across the Middle East comprises 150 properties with more than 40,000 rooms across 21 brands, in 11 countries and territories

Lazard names a woman as Saudi chair to grow Mideast advisory unit

Sarah Al-Suhaimi was named chair of the Saudi stock exchange in 2017

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister and the secretary general of the Digital Cooperation Organization in Riyadh

Digital Cooperation Organization to establish HQ in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Djibouti, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Jordan and Rwanda are member states of the organisation founded to drive collaboration in digital transformation

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

Fugro

Geo-data solutions provider Fugro expands its presence in the Middle East

The facility will host a remote operations centre expanding the company’s remote and autonomous capabilities, transforming the maritime sector

Crypto Oasis

Crypto Valley Association, Crypto Oasis team up to boost blockchain development in the Middle East

The alliance with Crypto Oasis will help build bridges, share knowledge and enable an exchange between crypto-passionates in Switzerland and Middle East

Digital Banking

Insights: The three elements of a successful digital banking strategy

While omnichannel and digital services aren’t new to banks, many institutions have struggled to keep up with the rapid changes and the scale of demand during the pandemic

Tech Awards

Nominations now open for GB Tech Awards 2022

The awards will be held on October 12 at Headlines, Dubai alongside the region’s largest tech event Gitex Global

Middle East to face airline pilot shortages within the next two years

Middle East to face airline pilot shortages within next two years: Oliver Wyman

The regional shortage could start as early as the end of this year, reaching an estimated 3,000 pilots by 2023 and 18,000 by 2032

Oil

Oil extends weekly drop as traders weigh more Iranian supply

A stronger dollar has also added to headwinds for commodities

Explainer: How companies in Middle East approach diversity, equality and inclusion?

Current efforts are not limited to just hiring, but also include investing in developing female talent to build up diverse pipelines, opines Maliha Jilani, member of the global social impact practice and partner at Heidrick & Struggles (Dubai)

Middle East cyberattacks

Top 3 security tips for Middle East businesses to prevent cyberattacks

Microbyte has urged businesses to be vigilant of threats posed by cyberattacks, emphasising the importance to invest in a robust infrastructure system for their day-to-day operations

How the Middle East can fund its green transition

Three opportunities stand out, including harnessing high public spending, leveraging huge SWFs and capitalising on the strength of state-owned enterprises

Regional director

Delinea appoints new regional director for Middle East

Mohammad Ismail joins from Shifra bringing with him deep knowledge of the company’s privileged access management portfolio

Wilson Varghese, GM and head of operations, Zurich insurance

Zurich Insurance’s Wilson Varghese on key healthcare trends and how the insurance industry has leveraged technology

Varghese, the company’s general manager and head of operations, shares the importance of consumer awareness and critical illness cover in the light of the pandemic and its impact