The Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL) is the Middle East’s premier trade event for the aluminium industry, combining a strategic conference with an international exhibition. As the only conference attended by every primary smelter in the region, ARABAL is a must-attend event for industry professionals. Now in its 25th edition, ARABAL will be hosted by Ma’aden in Riyadh, Saudi…
Abu Dhabi stands at the forefront of the MENA region’s economic growth, boasting a 9.3% growth rate in 2022. Looking ahead, the emirate’s ambitious roadmap, the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, charts a course for economic transformation. A key goal of the roadmap is to substantially reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, with a target of achieving 64% of GDP from non-hydrocarbons sectors by 2030. Th
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed global supply chain inefficiencies, affecting manufacturing and retail alike. Abu Dhabi, as well as the broader UAE, is applying lessons from this era and focusing on self-sufficiency and local supply chains. This approach strengthens local retail and wholesale operations, which are adapting to the 5% value-added tax introduced in 2018. At the same time, enhanced governance,…
Abu Dhabi is creating an environment that supports the growth of the e-commerce segment, backed by evolving regulations, strategic infrastructure initiatives, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Regulatory Development In September 2023 the UAE Cabinet announced a new e-commerce law that aims to boost the country’s digital economy and enhance its economic competitiveness. The…
Desalination is considered an expensive and energy-intensive process. However, mega-projects are seeking to tap renewable resources to limit the cost and environmental concerns associated with this crucial process. In June 2022 ENOWA, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM mega-project, signed a memorandum of understanding with French energy company Veolia and Japanese trading…
As hydrocarbons producers reap sustained revenue from high global prices, national oil companies (NOCs) in the Gulf are accelerating investment in hydrogen; carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS); and cleaner sources of energy to make their activities less carbon-intensive and support the energy transition. Gulf NOCs’ low-cost production advantages and massive hydrocarbons resources mean…
The disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21 highlighted a range of inefficiencies in global supply chains, which had pronounced impacts on manufacturing and retail companies – and, ultimately, consumers. Both manufacturing and the industrial sector have also had to contend with high global inflation, which began during the pandemic but has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, and its…
The UAE and its largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, have embarked on a far-reaching energy transition process that has been accelerated by the start of commercial operations at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, in 2021. These efforts are underpinned by UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which targets an energy mix that combines renewable, nuclear and clean energy sources to meet the country’s…
Interview:Sultan Al Jaber What initiatives is the UAE pursuing to drive the growth of its non-oil economy? SULTAN AL JABER: The UAE’s real GDP is projected to expand by 3.3% in 2023, reflecting a robust economic outlook. Strategic visions are guiding the development of the key sectors that are powering the UAE’s economic diversification, such as tourism, real estate, construction and transport.…
Interview:Khalid Al Marzooqi Which particular challenges and opportunities does the transition to a net-zero emissions economy present for the district cooling industry? KHALID AL MARZOOQI: District cooling is the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solution in high-density cities, and the technology is essential in wider decarbonisation efforts. In hot climates such as the Middle East,…