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Analysis

How the global shipping industry works to lower its environmental impact
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As environmental concerns become increasingly pressing for governments and businesses alike, the shipping industry is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. In August 2021 Danish shipping company Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping line, announced that it had ordered eight new vessels from South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Heavy Industries to be powered by methanol, rather than…

Analysis

How incentives are supporting industrial development in Oman
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Oman’s free zones, special economic zones and industrial zones have a central role in advancing Oman’s industrial development through a combination of incentives and targeted efforts to attract investors. The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) was established in August 2020 to oversee three free zones in Salalah, Sohar and Al Mazunah – a key node on the border…

Analysis

MENA region poised to lead global steel decarbonisation
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As the global industry sector seeks to reduce or eliminate its carbon footprint, a number of MENA countries are investing in green steel production to capture market share and help meet emissions targets. Industry generates 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, with the steel manufacturing segment accounting for the largest share, at 7%, due in part to a reliance on coal to heat smelting…

Analysis

GCC countries invest in downstream chemicals export capacity
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Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has reignited international debate about the pace of the global energy transition and the risks of relying on oil and gas imports from countries with opposing agendas. In the Gulf it is largely framed around how to extract maximum benefit from the remaining hydrocarbons wealth, while also playing a responsible role in global efforts to both mitigate climate…

Analysis

How e-commerce driving recovery of Oman’s retail sector
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As Oman’s retail sector recovers from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, government efforts are under way to boost the contribution of local producers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Indeed, while wholesale and retail trade began to decline in 2015 – with negative macroeconomic trends and headwinds being compounded by the pandemic in 2020 – forecasts for future…

Analysis

Construction industry prioritising sustainable architecture
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As the construction industry redefines its priorities to ensure sustainability, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of regenerative architecture as a means of lowering emissions. According to the “2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction” published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related greenhouse…

Analysis

How 5G rollout will unlock productivity gains in the GCC
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With connectivity widely recognised as a key driver of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, GCC countries are poised to expand their 5G networks. 5G in the GCC The UAE unveiled its Industry 4.0 initiative in October 2021 to increase innovation and productivity, lower the industrial sector’s carbon footprint and add some $6.8bn to the economy by 2031. The programme is a cornerstone of the government’s…

Analysis

How Oman’s digital economy supports start-ups and innovation
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As part of its efforts to develop the digital economy, the government of Oman launched the National Digital Economy Programme (NDEP) in October 2021 to accelerate the sultanate’s technological transformation and build on the National ICT Strategy established in 2017. The programme is designed to aid the country’s progress in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, the country’s blueprint for…

Analysis

E-sports growth supports GCC diversification plans
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As Gulf countries continue to pursue plans to diversify their economies and unlock job creation for their relatively young populations, they are increasingly investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as electronic sports (e-sports). The MENA gaming market is expected to expand by some 19% between 2019 and 2025, according to strategic consultancy RedSeer, to reach a value…

Analysis

How governments are responding to rising cyberthreats
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused disruptions across the global economy, prompting an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks. According to a poll of 800 chief audit executives by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought the war in Ukraine had elevated cybersecurity and data-security risks. Senior cybersecurity analysts…