Introduction of long-term residency options, like the Golden Visa, has been instrumental in boosting investor confidence
Bahrain
Abu Dhabi
Ramadan 2025 announced in GCC; 50 UAE megaprojects; Best and most expensive schools in Dubai; Real estate price analysis – 10 things you missed this week
Ramadan start dates announced, UAE megaprojects, top Dubai schools, real estate analysis and more of the top stories this week
Moon-Sighting Committee
Bahrain announces Ramadan 2025
Bahrain has announced the start of Ramadan 2025 after moon-sighting
Al Salam Bank-Bahrain
Al Salam Bank offers free talabat pro subscription during Ramadan
Benefits include unlimited free delivery on food and grocery orders and exclusive discounts for 12 months; available to first 3,500 customers
Investcorp
Investcorp to invest in Italian alternative payments enabler Epipoli
The Bahrain-based company has deployed $280 million in investments since the beginning of the financial year
Bahrain real estate
GCC real estate transactions hit $383bn; apartment yields in Saudi, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman revealed
GCC real estate investments see healthy yields for apartments in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman
Revealed: Best workplaces in Bahrain 2025
Great Place to Work announces best workplaces in Bahrain 2025
GCC
GCC healthcare spending to hit $159bn by 2029; Saudi and UAE lead growth as hospital beds to pass 140,500
Healthcare spending in GCC countries will grow by between 4 and 8.8 per cent in the next five years with UAE and Saudi Arabia seeing most growth
acquisition
ACWA Power expands in Gulf with $693mn deal for Bahrain, Kuwait assets
Under the terms of the agreement, ACWA Power will acquire ENGIE’s shares in the four key operating assets
International Astronomical Centre
Probable Ramadan 2025 start date announced
International Astronomical Centre reveals expected start of Ramadan 2025
bahrain steel
Qatar and Bahrain announce $1.3bn steel deal
Qatar Steel and Bahrain Steel announced the signing of an agreement worth $1.266bn
EY
MENA IPOs raised $12.6bn last year, more growth expected in 2025
IPOs in the MENA region were dominated by UAE and Saudi and further growth expected in 2025
Al Salam Bank-Bahrain
Al Salam Bank net profit rises 48.7% for Q4 and 39.8% for the year
Net profit attributable to shareholders for Q4 2024 is $44.3 million, while that for the full year 2024 is $156.5 million
GaStat
GCC targets $188bn tourist spending as visitor numbers boom
GCC countries attracted more than 68m visitors in 2023, up almost 43 per cent on 2019
Saudi non-oil trade with GCC partners hit $2.5bn in November
Saudi trade with GCC countries soared by 43 per cent last year as UAE is top partner
Bahrain
Bahrain announces shrimp fishing ban
Six month ban on shrimp fishing and sales from Saturday, February 1
Bahrain Bourse
Dubai’s BHM Capital joins Bahrain Bourse as external market maker
The company said it will offer innovative solutions that improve market efficiency and increase investor appeal