Op-eds

How the private sector can add diversity to MENA region’s workforce potential

Diversity, equity and inclusion is strategic necessity for sustainable growth and community wellbeing

UAE virtual assets: New tax guide clarifies crypto regulations for free zones

The new guide specifies that the holding of shares and other securities for investment purposes now explicitly includes cryptocurrencies

Why MENA business leaders must prioritize mental health in their strategy

PwC’s Hopes and Fears report reveals that only 33 percent of employees in the Middle East feel their well-being is a priority at work

Institutional custody of cryptocurrencies: Beyond the ‘not your keys’ myth

Digital asset custody for institutions is a game of operational resilience, multi-layer security, and audit trails

Is Bitcoin a bubble? Sure, if bubbles could last for decades

Unlike classic bubbles, Bitcoin's value proposition doesn’t rely entirely on price hype

Decentralized vs. traditional finance: Is integration inevitable?

In a truly hybrid future, we might see a financial system that uses DeFi's technology to underpin TradFi’s infrastructure

Bitcoin: A divisive asset the world can’t ignore

The crypto is now within striking distance of surpassing Alphabet's $2.2 trillion valuation

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms fuel M&A market

Privatization of key state-owned assets and consolidation in select sectors boosts market further

UAE and Rwanda: A growing partnership for Africa’s future

The UAE has become a pivotal partner for Rwanda, with trade between the two nations exceeding $1.1 billion in 2023

New UAE labor law brings both challenges and opportunities for businesses

Amendments focus on improving dispute resolution, increase penalties for illegal recruitment practices

Building on ambition and innovation

Real estate sector plays an essential part in the region’s ambitious yet imperative economic diversification journey

OPEC and IEA diverge widely on oil demand projections through 2050

OPEC has lowered its 2024 oil demand growth forecast to below 2 million bpd, while the IEA projects even lower demand growth at under 1 million bpd

The enduring appeal of physical payment cards in the UAE’s digital future

67 percent of country’s residents still carry two or more physical cards

Stablecoins: The future of payments or a looming threat?

In 2023, the global market capitalization of stablecoins exceeded $130 billion

How will the US election affect the stock market and trade: Insights and impacts

Global markets may experience shifts following the election, but investors should focus on long-term fundamentals

What makes Egypt a popular real estate market for GCC investors

As many as 94 percent of wealthy GCC investors have expressed a desire to invest in Egypt

Technology and trends defining GCC fintechs

Payments, blockchain and AI, among others, are shaping the region’s financial sector

Middle East transformer market: The hurdles and driving forces

By 2030, the Middle East is anticipated to add over 600,000 MVAs in transmission capacity, driving the demand for power transformers in the region

Why financial inclusion of the youth is important for our economies

Financial products and services that could help young adults are sometimes out of reach due to governing frameworks and societal biases

Family offices: How their focus and approach have evolved with time

Family offices are now more willing to take illiquidity risk in order to achieve greater potential long-term returns

Middle East is betting big on tech

The region's view of a tech-driven future is expanding, fueled by strong public-private synergy

How technology is increasingly powering the global economy

Productivity, trade and income distribution heavily influenced by technological advances

Building resilience for growth: The role of insurance in Saudi Arabia’s historic construction boom

Combining traditional products and alternative risk transfer mechanisms with proactive risk management strategies is key to a thriving construction business

The role of lawyers in digital transformation projects

Legal guidance essential to ensure compliance, manage risks and facilitate smooth implementation of digital transformation initiatives