Middle East M&A rose 19 per cent in H1 2025 to 271 deals, defying a 9 per cent global drop as sovereign wealth funds drive growth in tech, energy and healthcare
Saudi Arabia
Saudi trade
Saudi Arabia and UK sign $5.3bn deals at GREAT FUTURES London summit
Saudi-UK GREAT FUTURES conference in London ends with $5.3bn of deals, new strategic partnership, and plans to boost trade to $40bn by 2030
GCC
GCC labour market grows 25% in four years as Gulf economy beats global average
GCC labour market grows 25% in four years as Gulf economy outpaces global average, with women now making up 40.2% of the workforce
Aviation
Qatar Airways to launch direct Doha–Red Sea International Airport flights in October 2025
Qatar Airways to start direct Doha–Red Sea flights from Oct 21, 2025, linking Saudi’s Vision 2030 destination with Hamad International Airport
FDI
Saudi Arabia FDI inflows jump 24 per cent to $32bn in 2024
Saudi Arabia’s FDI inflows rose 24 per cent to SR119.2bn ($31.8bn) in 2024, exceeding Vision 2030 targets as non-oil investment reached 90 per cent of total flows
branded real estate
Saudi real estate: Chedi launches branded residences in Diriyah with 20 exclusive villas
Chedi Hospitality unveils branded villas in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
JLL
Riyadh and Jeddah office rents surge as Saudi vacancies hit record lows
Riyadh and Jeddah office markets surge in 2025 with record-low vacancies and rising rents, as JLL reports strong occupier demand across Saudi Arabia
FedEx
FedEx launches first nonstop flight from West to Saudi Arabia to boost trade and logistics hub goals
Operating six times per week, the new Boeing 777 freighter connects the Americas and Europe to Riyadh, with onward connections to Guangzhou and Shanghai
GaStat
Saudi Arabia reports 246 workplace injuries per 100,000; stress tops health concerns
Saudi Arabia recorded 246 workplace injuries per 100,000 workers in 2024, with stress the most common health issue, according to new GASTAT data
Great Places to Work
Revealed: 100 Best places to work in Middle East
Top 100 Best Places to Work in the Middle East for 2025 revealed as companies champion employee wellbeing
General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monshaat)
Saudi Arabia launches $400m fund to boost startups and SMEs
Saudi Arabia will refund SAR1.5bn ($400m) in government fees to startups and SMEs through the Estrdad initiative
Retail
Saudi Arabia to add 600,000 sqm of lifestyle retail space by 2027: Report
The growth reflects changing consumer habits and Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a retail destination
football
Saudi Pro League extends international media rights agreement with IMG
Last season’s matches were aired in more than 184 countries on more than 43 global platforms across six continents
McLaren
Late Saudi Billionaire’s stunning McLaren collection sold
Entire rare collection of McLaren supercars once owned by late Saudi billionaire Mansour Ojjeh snapped up by single buyer
SAMA
Saudi bank credit hits record $849bn in June 2025, up 15.8% year-on-year
Saudi bank credit hit a record SR3.18tn ($849bn) in June 2025 — here’s what it means for businesses and investors
Branded residences
UAE holiday, petrol price changes, tax update, Saudi property reforms, new Kuwait laws – 10 things you missed this week
From a new UAE holiday and petrol price changes to a significant tax update, Saudi property reforms and new Kuwait laws — here are 10 big Gulf business stories you may have missed this week
AlUla
Saudi Arabia’s AlUla skies recognised by NASA with Astronomy Picture of the Day
Saudi Arabia’s AlUla gains global spotlight as NASA names its meteor image Astronomy Picture of the Day for its pristine night skies