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  • Saudi best in MidEast for doing business
     

    Saudi Arabia is the best country in the Middle East for doing business, according to a new study published by the World Bank. The Gulf kingdom, the world’s largest oil producer, was ranked 22nd globally in the ‘Doing Business 2013’ report, ahead of neighbour the UAE which placed 26th. Elsewhere in the GCC, Qatar came […]

     
  • The Saudi Economy: Still Shining
     

    A recently released October 2012 economic report by Jadwa Investment finds that a recent flow of data has been generally stronger than expected, and as a result of high oil production (which elevates the hydrocarbon sector growth to 6.1 percent for the year) Jadwa raises its projections for Saudi Arabia’s budget and current account surpluses. […]

     
  • Energy policy: What we need to talk about
     

    For starters, the United States is already over 80 percent (up from 70 percent a decade ago) self sufficient when it comes to energy production and use. We are routinely described as the Saudi Arabia of coal, and have the largest nuclear fleet in the world. We are the world’s largest natural gas producer and […]

     
  • Randa Hudome: How do I get my business over to the Middle East?
     

    In addition to featured speakers such as President Bill Clinton and Mr. Abdullah Alireza the recent C3 Summit in New York City presented a number of compelling panel discussions addressing commercial and trade issues related to doing business in the MENA region.

     
  • Saudi oil sales to U.S. robust despite refinery upsets
     

    Saudi Arabia appears to be keeping its pledge to ensure global markets are well supplied with oil, barely letting up in shipments to the United States even after two of its biggest refining customers suffered crippling glitches. A Reuters analysis of U.S. import data shows sales to the world’s top oil consumer have dipped less […]

     
  • Public policy considerations in Saudi Arabia’s new Arbitration Law
     

    We see plenty of coverage these days of Saudi Arabia’s growing economy; and justifiably so.  Expansionary government spending, elevated oil prices, a strong banking system, a maturing private-sector, increasing diversification, growing foreign investment and other factors contribute to an exciting period for Saudi Arabia. While elevated oil prices have fueled Saudi Arabia’s impressive recent growth, […]

     
  • Dubai and Saudi Chambers seek stronger ties
     

    To share expertise and best practice across the GCC region, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation led by the Council of Saudi Chambers at its head office recently. The group of 17 senior officials from various Saudi chambers of commerce, led by Omar A. Bahlaiwa, Secretary General of the Council of Saudi […]

     
  • Saudi market opening to take ‘a while’ as conditions debated
     

    Saudi Arabia — the largest, most liquid and yet least accessible stock market in the Arab world — is considering opening its stock market to foreign investors in a move that could help turn the local market into a regional trading hub. But when the kingdom will make its final decision on this proposal, which […]

     
  • Jadwa Investment: Shifts in Foreign Investor Flows and the TASI
     

    A recently released Jadwa Investment report discusses shifts in foreign investment in the Saudi stock market, also known as the TASI. “Big changes in foreign investment in the Saudi stock market tend to come ahead of moves in the TASI, meaning that local investors can benefit from tracking what foreign investors are doing. In six of the seven […]

     
  • High capital/solid profitability: Saudi banking system remains stable
     

    The outlook for Saudi Arabia’s banking system remains stable, says Moody’s Investors Service in a new Banking System Outlook. The key drivers of the outlook are (1) a benign operating environment; (2) low problem loan levels; (3) strong loss-absorption capacity, underpinned by high capital buffers and solid profitability; and (4) the sector’s stable, low-cost deposit […]

     

MUST-READS

  • UAE’s Masdar to acquire renewables firm Saeta from Brookfield for $1.2bln

    UAE's renewable energy company Masdar is set to acquire Saeta Yield, a renewable power company, from Brookfield for an implied enterprise value of $1.4 billion as Abu Dhabi’s clean energy pioneer looks to add to its European portfolio. The transaction consists of a portfolio of 745 megawatts (MW) of predominantly wind assets - 538MW of wind assets in Spain, 144MW of wind assets in Portugal and 63MW solar PV assets in Spain - and includes a 1.6 gigawatt (GW) development pipeline.

  • OPEC is highly bullish on long-term oil demand growth. Not everyone agrees

    The oil producer group’s 2024 World Oil Outlook report, released Tuesday, predicts strong energy demand growth of 24% globally between now and 2050. It also forecasts “robust medium-term growth” in oil demand reaching 112.3 million barrels per day in 2029, an increase of 10.1 million barrels per day compared to 2023.

  • OPEC boosts long-term oil demand outlook, driven by developing world growth

    OPEC raised its forecasts for world oil demand for the medium and long term in an annual outlook, citing growth led by India, Africa and the Middle East and a slower shift to electric vehicles and cleaner fuels. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in its 2024 World Oil Outlook published on Tuesday, sees demand growing for a longer period than other forecasters like BP (BP.L), opens new tab and the International Energy Agency, which expect oil use to peak this decade.

  • The shifting foundations of Gulf-US ties

    For context, let us remember that in 2008, US oil production was below 4 million barrels a day while imports from Saudi Arabia hovered above 1.5 million barrels. The US now produces 13 million barrels a day — 4 million more than Saudi — and imports less than 500,000 barrels from the kingdom. Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s biggest oil markets are now based in the East, with China and India leading the way.

  • Gaza’s Suffering Is Unprecedented

    The Palestinian people had never experienced this level of day-to-day suffering. Although periods of intense violence have occurred, especially at the height of the Second Intifada and during the 2014 war in Gaza, the norm has been low-intensity conflict. In a Palestinian context, the current war in Gaza is unprecedented.

  • How a Saudi startup is pioneering the cultivation of algae in the desert

    Hashem’s Jeddah-based startup is pioneering new methods to grow algae in the desert, using innovative outdoor cultivation systems that rely on advanced monitoring technology to overcome the environmental challenges of Saudi Arabia’s arid climate. His journey began in Boston, where he earned a degree in chemical science before pursuing a master’s in organic chemistry at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

  • How the convergence of AI and 5G is transforming Saudi Arabia’s smart technologies

    According to a recent PwC report called “The Smarter Phone,” AI-enabled smartphones are already integrating with daily activities, leveraging predictive analytics to automate routine processes and provide real-time solutions. AI-powered assistants, image recognition and voice command systems are increasingly becoming integral parts of mobile devices, enabling more intuitive user interfaces and features such as facial recognition, automated photo sorting and smart scheduling.

  • Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test

    Hundreds of non-native speakers have been tested on their Arabic language skills in Saudi Arabia’s new standardized language test this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency. A total of 315 candidates from 22 countries took the Hamza Arabic Language Test in person, which was conducted by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with seven Saudi universities.

  • Chip Giants TSMC and Samsung Discuss Building Middle Eastern Megafactories

    Two chip-making giants have discussed building huge factory complexes in the United Arab Emirates that could transform the industry in the coming years and become a cornerstone for artificial-intelligence investments in the Middle East. Top executives at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. TSM 0.39%increase; green up pointing triangle, the world’s largest chip maker, have visited the U.A.E. recently and talked about a plant complex on par with some of the company’s largest and most advanced facilities in Taiwan, according to people familiar with the interactions.

  • New Iran president’s entourage in NY signals Iran preparing to negotiate

    The message the Iranian diplomatic entourage suggested is that Iran is trying to best position itself to renew diplomacy with the west when the other side is ready. Six weeks before the US presidential elections, it seems unlikely that the Biden administration will try to pursue direct negotiations with the new Iranian team. But it seems plausible that the entourage may have a chance to speak with expert contacts and perhaps some former officials to update each other on how they are thinking and help lay the groundwork for future talks when a new U.S. president takes office.