The GE 2016 Global Innovation Barometer from Saudi Arabia unraveled the emerging and vibrant innovation ecosystem in the kingdom that is significantly contributing to the economic growth and diversification of the country’s economy. The research covered about 200 C-level business executives and informed members of the public who have a presence in the innovation ecosystem. Read More »

Despite challenging conditions in global financial markets, Qatar Reinsurance Company LLC (Qatar Re), the reinsurance arm of Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), achieved improved profitability in the first half of 2016. The company increased its gross written premiums to $654 million, up 41 percent year-on-year from $464 million. Read More »

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention is announcing another round of price reductions for prescription drugs made by several dozen pharmaceutical companies around the world. The latest price cuts are the seventh, and last, is a series of reductions, some of which were even more extensive. This latest round, the ministry said, will translate to relief of $75.9 million to consumers. Read More »

The Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, made a sizable investment last month in a real estate investment trust with assets that include the Empire State Building in New York. The move has generated some rather mild national press, but it is attracting scrutiny from some who have questions about this kind of foreign investment in U.S. infrastructure. Read More »

In an attempt to stabilize its national economy, Bahrain is reaching out to the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development with financing agreements for over $1 billion for infrastructure and housing projects. Along with pursuing financing, Bahrain’s leadership is also amping up its solar program.What role will renewables play in the new economies of the GCC nations with oil below $50 a barrel? Read More »

In Qatar, a company with ties to the government is looking to invest in solar energy in a big way as part of a larger trend toward renewables and away from oil. News reports this month said the company, Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTech) is working with the German companies SolarWorld and Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG to roll out more impressive arrays of solar panels. Read More »

The telecommunication sector in the Middle East offers lucrative business opportunities, and many companies are vying to gain a substantial market share by introducing innovative technologies. The latest example of this trend is the entry of India’s leading mobile technology service provider, mCarbon, to the Middle East market by establishing its headquarters in Dubai. Read More »

A company in the Persian Gulf called Fathima Group is seeking to unveil seven new, superstore-style commercial structures with an investment of 200 million AED. Read More »

At a landmark event slated for Sept. 8-12, Sony is going to be showing off new products and services as part of promoting what's new at the established entertainment and electronics company.  Read More »

It seems like every time you turn around, there's a new restaurant going into a neighborhood in Dubai. As this cosmopolitan city continues to reinvent itself, all sorts of chains and independent restaurants are targeting customers in the area, with renowned chefs and established restaurateurs sinking a lot of money and effort into serving customers. But how do these restaurants get their start? Read More »

A recent investment report by Al Masah Capital (AMC), an alternative asset management and advisory firm focusing on the MENA region, said the UAE economy is "cruising along" while others in the region struggle to maintain growth, and it also noted that Dubai is rowing at a faster rate than Abu Dhabi amid the new reality of low oil prices. Read More »

In what could be considered a historic trade move, the Israeli government has opened the door to exporting natural gas resources to Egypt. However, there are several obstacles to the deal and it's likely that a finalized trade agreement will take some time. A Reuters press release said the Israeli government is planning to sell 5 billion cubic meters of gas to Egypt over a period of seven years. Read More »

The Report: Sharjah 2016, an in-depth analysis of the economic scenario of Sharjah, will be published by the UK-based global publication firm Oxford Business Group later this year. The report is likely to be the most comprehensive English-language economic review on the emirate’s market, covering recent policy developments and opportunities for investment. Read More »

At Education City in Qatar, locals can get a degree from schools such as Northwestern, Georgetown, Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth and Cornell, all without ever taking a trans-atlantic flight. Read More »

As part of Saudi Arabia's bold new plan to modernize the kingdom, known as Vision 2030, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is taking steps to identify sites for renewable energy projects within the country. Some cast the new focus on renewable energy as part of a plan to diversify the economy, while others see it as a move to improve the environment and combat global warming. Read More »

Jordan has been chosen for the first time as the venue of the 6th edition of the Arab Aviation Summit, which will take place under the patronage of Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab on Dec. 5 and 6. Known as the voice of the industry, the Arab Aviation Summit has grown to become the most prominent gathering of aviation and tourism executives in the region. Read More »

The teenager whose mocked-up clock was mistaken-for-a-bomb that alarmed, outraged and fascinated the nation, and who now is suing his school's former principal over the incident, won't be returning to MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas this fall, according to various published reports. Read More »

Will Kuwait be able to take a bite out of a budget gap by setting higher prices at the pump? Kuwait Ministry of Finance Assistant Undersecretary for General Accounting Abdul-Jaffar Al-Awadi recently revealed a total budget deficit of approximately $7.9 million for the first quarter of the fiscal year. He also noted a move by national leaders who plan to increase fuel prices. Read More »

As UAE leaders continue to highlight different initiatives for international partnerships to boost the national economy, officials from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry's international office in Azerbaijan visited Russia to promote collaboration there. Dubai Chamber said recently it participated in a Russian trade event called Innoprom 2016 in Yekaterinburg. Read More »

New research in the desert of Qatar is helping scientists understand more about future space exploration. Reports from July show scientists operating an Audi Lunar Quattro in Qatar’s Zekreet Desert. The project is part of a competition for the Google X Prize, where the first group able to travel 500 meters on the moon and bring home the proof will win $20 million. Read More »