Emerging markets
Saudi Arabia’s Neom replaces its CEO amid reports of delays and cutbacks
Digital render of NEOM’s The Line project in Saudi Arabia The Line, NEOM Saudi Arabia’s massive Neom megaproject, a multi-trillion dollar plan to develop a swathe of land the size of Massachusetts, has replaced its CEO in a significant reshuffling as the kingdom faces questions over the economic viability of its ambitions. Neom’s board of […]
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Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia through fintech Lean Technologies
Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million. General Catalyst has $30 billion in assets under management and has backed major U.S. tech companies like Snap, Stripe and AirBnb. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also […]
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Oil giant Saudi Aramco posts 15% drop in third-quarter profit but maintains dividend
Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal Ahmed Jadallah | Reuters Saudi state oil giant Aramco reported a 15.4% drop in net profit in the third-quarter on the back of “lower crude oil prices and weakening refining margins,” but maintained a 31.05 billion dividend. The company reported net income of $27.56 billion in […]
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Foreign investors flock to flagship Saudi economic conference — but face less free-flowing cash
A delegate arrives at the King Abdulaziz Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum. Fayez Nureldine | Afp | Getty Images Thousands of financiers, founders and investors are set to descend on the Saudi capital of Riyadh for the eighth edition of the kingdom’s Future Investment Initiative, […]
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Qatar Airways partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink for high-speed Wi-Fi milestone
Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Al Meer (center) and Qatar Tourism Chairman Saad bin Ali Al Kharji (left) speak with Elon Musk (right) via Starlink on board the flight. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways launched Tuesday its inaugural Boeing 777 flight equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet, paving the way for a new era of in-flight […]
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Putin says BRICS, not the West, will drive global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the BRICS Business Forum in Moscow, Russia October 18, 2024. Alexander Zemlianichenko | Via Reuters The BRICS group will generate most of the global economic growth in the coming years thanks to its size and relatively fast growth compared with that of developed Western nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said […]
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The UAE can guarantee the ‘safety and the security’ of U.S.-made chips, G42 CEO says
The CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ premier AI firm stressed that the Gulf country is a reliable partner to the U.S. when it comes to keeping sensitive technology safe, as Washington reportedly mulls curbs on chip sales to certain countries — particularly those in the Middle East. The UAE has shown it can “guarantee […]
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Satellite imagery shows Iranian oil tankers at country’s major terminal disappearing amid fears of Israeli counterattack
A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal in Iran on March 12, 2017. Fatemeh Bahrami | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Satellite imagery revealed a number of oil tankers vacating the waters around Iran’s key Kharg Island oil loading terminal, amid fears of an Israeli counterattack on Tehran’s energy infrastructure. “The […]
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As Netanyahu vows Iran payback, markets watch for dangers of further escalation
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024 Amir Cohen | Reuters Israel’s government has vowed a severe response to Iran’s unprecedented missile barrage into Tel Aviv, leaving the Middle East on edge as fears rise over a possible all-out war between the two long-time foes. On Tuesday […]
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Saudi Arabia slashes growth forecasts, sees wider budget deficits
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Xavierarnau | E+ | Getty Images Saudi Arabia cut its growth forecasts and raised its budget deficit estimates for the fiscal years 2024 to 2026, looking ahead to a period of higher spending and lower projected oil revenues. Real gross domestic product is now expected to grow 0.8% this year, a dramatic […]
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