Other Briefings
The UAE F&B Market: Opportunities for Businesses
The UAE’s F&B market, the Gulf’s second-largest after Saudi Arabia, thrives on consumption driven by an affluent local population, large expat presence, and the country’s role as a regional commercial hub attracting millions of global visitors yearly.
Dubai Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Began on January 1
Dubai has introduced a phased ban on single-use products in its market, starting with single-use plastic bags from January 1, 2024. We list key details for businesses to pay attention to for compliance.
Delays Anticipated to Oman-India FTA Over Duty Concessions on Petrochem Products
Customs duty concessions on petrochemical products, utilized heavily in the plastics industry, are raising concerns among Indian stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia Upgrades Digital Platforms for Visa Applications
Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its visa application process to promote ease of access, boost tourism and business travel, and enhance transparency with regards to labor management.
Oman-India FTA Talks Expected to Conclude in January: Latest Updates
Oman and India have continued to keep pace with fast moving negotiations to their bilateral free trade deal. We discuss the key issues in brief.
Shaping ASEAN-GCC Investment Dynamics in 2024
By Michael Barantschik The global economic landscape is continuously shaped and reshaped by the dynamic interactions between various regional blocs. Among these, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stand out for their unique contributions and growing interdependence in trade and investment.
QIA Secures 4.26% Share in Kingdee, Injecting $200M Investment
On December 10, Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd, (0268.HK) announced that Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will make a strategic investment of around US$200 million in consideration for approximately 4.26 percent of Kingdee’s total issued ordinary shares, subject to a lock-up period of 180 days.
NIO’s $2 Billion Funding by CYVN: Catalyzing New Narratives for China and the Middle East
On December 18, 2023, China’s Nio (NIO) revealed it received a US$2.2 billion (RMB 15.55 billion) investment from Abu Dhabi’s CYVN for 294 million new shares. With this deal, CYVN will hold a 20.1 percent stake in Nio.
Saudi Mutual Fund Opens Doors to Chinese Investors for the First Time
U.S.-backed Huatai-PineBridge Fund Management Co. Ltd. has applied to establish the first mutual fund accessible to Chinese mainland investors, tracking the Saudi Arabian stock market and marking a potential milestone in cross-border investment.
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia Collaborate to Elevate the Assurance of Halal Products
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Halal product assurance cooperation in addition to the mutual recognition of each other’s Halal certificates. The agreement was signed between Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
