Economy & Business
Business news, economic analysis, fintech innovations, startup ecosystems, and market trends shaping Saudi Arabia's digital economy and Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia Mobility Leaders Convene in Riyadh to Shape Next Phase of Transport Development
Saudi Arabia’s top mobility leaders gathered in Riyadh to chart the next phase of the Kingdom’s transport development, focusing on autonomous vehicles, regulatory readiness, and Vision 2030 alignment.

Bosch Invests €200 Million in Business Innovations Unit to Build 20 Startups by 2030
Bosch commits €200 million to expand its venture builder unit, targeting 20 new startups by 2030 in software manufacturing, health monitoring, and carbon capture sectors.

Executive Centre Opens New Workspace Center at KAFD in Riyadh
Executive Centre KAFD officially opened KAFD 2.08, a new 9,500-square-meter flexible workspace facility in King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, featuring innovative amenities and full-floor tenant solutions.

Brazil’s CEMIG Deploys LTE 450 MHz Network for Smart Power Grid
CEMIG, Brazil’s largest electricity company, has deployed an LTE 450 MHz private power grid network across Minas Gerais to support its largest investment plan in company history.

Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 Convenes 7,000 Professionals to Shape Urban Development
Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 will convene over 7,000 professionals, 100 speakers, and 75 exhibitors from May 12-14 to address urban development, construction innovation, and infrastructure financing across the region.

Emirates Drug Establishment Concludes Participation in Make it in the Emirates 2026
The Emirates Drug Establishment concluded a successful four-day exhibition participation, securing strategic partnerships and advancing pharmaceutical innovation across the UAE.

du and Abu Dhabi Investment Office Launch Strategic Partnership for UAE Innovation
du and Abu Dhabi Investment Office partner to accelerate digital transformation and innovation across UAE manufacturers and enterprises, combining advisory services and structured funding pathways.

UAE Cyber Security Council and CPX Launch UAE Cyber Factory for National Cyber Sovereignty
The UAE Cyber Security Council and CPX Holding launched the UAE Cyber Factory to advance national cyber sovereignty through AI-powered security solutions. The initiative addresses the country’s rising threat landscape, with over 800,000 cyberattacks recorded daily.

Saudi Arabia Mobility Leaders Align on Vision 2030 Priorities in Riyadh
Mobility sector leaders from Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors met in Riyadh to advance transport development aligned with Vision 2030, discussing autonomous vehicles, infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration.

Mastercard Launches SME Resilience Program Across Middle East
Mastercard launches Built Small. Moving Strong, a regional SME resilience program supporting small businesses across the Middle East with financial tools, policy alignment and digital enablement to navigate supply chain disruptions and financial challenges.

Sanofi and Arabio Launch Himaya Health Initiative at Umrah Forum 2026
Sanofi and Arabio introduced the Himaya health initiative at the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2026 to advance meningococcal vaccination for pilgrims. The initiative positions health protection as fundamental to the pilgrim experience.

Huawei Appoints Corey Deng as Chief Cybersecurity and Privacy Officer for Middle East and Central Asia
Huawei appoints Corey Deng as Chief Cybersecurity and Privacy Officer for the Middle East and Central Asia region. Deng brings 18 years of experience within the company across multiple leadership roles.

ASMO Commences Construction of 1.4 Million Square Meter Logistics Hub at SPARK
ASMO, the Aramco-DHL joint venture, has begun construction of a 1.4 million square meter logistics hub at SPARK with Arcapita funding. The facility will serve the energy and industrial sectors.

GISEC GLOBAL 2026 Cybersecurity Summit Set for Dubai in September
GISEC GLOBAL 2026 cybersecurity conference takes place September 16-18 in Dubai, bringing together regional leaders to address escalating threats to critical infrastructure and financial systems.

LG Electronics Reports Q1 2026 Revenue of $16.24 Billion
LG Electronics achieved record first-quarter revenue of $16.24 billion in 2026, with home appliances and vehicle solutions driving growth to $6.84 billion combined.

BCG’s Jeel Tamooh Enters 8th Year, Nurturing Saudi Arabia’s Rising Leaders
Boston Consulting Group launched the 8th edition of its flagship Jeel Tamooh leadership development program, welcoming over 150 participants with equal gender representation. The program has impacted more than 850 students since 2019, preparing young professionals for influential roles across Saudi Arabia.

IBM and Aramco Announce AI and Industrial Innovation Collaboration
IBM and Aramco announced a collaboration to explore artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced technologies in industrial applications. The partnership builds on nearly 80 years of working together since 1947.

Najm Launches ‘We Care’ Strategy with 20 Initiatives to Strengthen Insurance Sector
Najm for Insurance Services launches its 2025-2030 ‘We Care’ strategy with 20 initiatives aimed at strengthening the insurance ecosystem, reducing traffic accidents by 30 percent, and delivering SAR 15 billion in sector savings by 2030.

SAS Expands AI Agents Portfolio With Supply Chain and Worker Safety Solutions
SAS expanded its AI agents portfolio with new industry-specific solutions designed to address barriers preventing successful artificial intelligence deployment. The Supply Chain Agent and Worker Safety offerings are now available globally.

Saudi Ministry of Hajj Launches Masar Nusuk Platform for Digital Pilgrimage Services
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the Masar Nusuk platform to automate pilgrimage procedures and serve over 51 million users globally with digital services.

Deep Tech Commercialization Bootcamp: KACST Launches Initiative with 50+ Research Teams
KACST and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority launched the Deep Tech Commercialization Bootcamp on May 4, 2026, engaging 50+ research teams to develop skills for bringing prototypes to market.

MENA Fintech Sector Strengthens Structural Foundations Amid Funding Challenges
Arthur D. Little report shows MENA fintech sector strengthened in 2025 despite global funding headwinds, with 77% of leaders rating sector strength positively and venture capital reaching 3.8 billion dollars regionally.
