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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Manal Albarakati

Manal Albarakati

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Dubai marks 10 years of minister of state for happiness

The introduction of the office was part of a broader strategy to create a “young and flexible” government.
Dubai skyline.Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Sale of Safeya Binzagr painting breaks Saudi record

Sotheby’s second Saudi event brought in a total of $19.5 million.
Staff handle Safeya Binzagr’s Coffee Shop on Madina Road at Sotheby’s “Origins ll” in Riyadh.Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Saudi luxury fashion hits Paris runway

Saudi luxury label KML brought an avant-garde take on traditional silhouettes to Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week.
Photo of KML’s Paris showcase.Courtesy of KML

Saudi traditional savings circles go digital

Fintech Hakbah is turning the jameya model into an online platform as Riyadh readies a national push to lift household savings.
Photo showing an example of the Hakbah app interface.Courtesy of Hakbah via Apple Store

Saudi Arabia seeks $64B from investors in private capital push

The new strategy is designed to be more execution-focused and show clearer risk allocation.
A view of Riyadh.Mohammed Benmansour/File Photo/Reuters

Rembrandt’s ‘Young Lion Resting’ drawing on view in Saudi Arabia

It’s the most important drawing by the Dutch painter to hit the auction market in 50 years, with an estimated value of up to $20 million.
Rembrandt’s ‘Young Lion Resting.’

The Gulf is becoming one of gaming’s most lucrative markets

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt had a gaming market worth a combined $2 billion in 2024.

Saudi real estate market opens to foreigners

The aim is to attract international developers, lift the quality of projects, and stimulate the sector’s contribution to non-oil GDP.

Emirates builds out infrastructure for Dubai hiring spree

The airline is planning a “cabin crew village,” a multibillion-dirham development designed to house up to 12,000 staff.

Saudi’s Joy Awards become a national watch party

Hollywood and Bollywood A-listers were fêted in Riyadh over the weekend.

Eric Trump markets $10B in Saudi real estate projects

Rapid sales in the initial Trump-branded luxury development pushed the Trump Organization to launch more projects in the kingdom.

Thrilling ride to ring in new year in Riyadh

The first Six Flags theme park outside North America opens today in Riyadh’s Qiddiya.

DHL sees the Gulf as the next global logistics hub

As the region builds its cities and industries, logistics is emerging as a backbone of growth.

Gulf museum boom faces scrutiny over outsourcing to Western consultants

International consulting firms are deeply embedded in strategy, staffing, and delivery, Artnet reported.

Saudi’s development fund plans bond debut

The National Development Fund is ramping up financing for the kingdom’s rapidly changing economy, the governor says.

Gulf tourism bets on rugged, screen-free luxury

Parvara, a mountain retreat in the northern emirate of Fujairah in the UAE, is the latest resort in the region to offer an alternative to glitzy hotels in capital cities.

Abu Dhabi top financial hub in the Gulf, new ranking finds

A new index of competitiveness from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Stern School of Business placed Abu Dhabi in 12th place, ahead of Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha.

Saudi’s ACWA Power eyes China and green hydrogen

The Saudi giant is scaling up investment at home and abroad.