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

22 Pitch Decks That Convinced VCs to Write Cheques in 2026
Effective pitch decks convince VCs by combining data-driven strategies, team expertise, and realistic projections. Twenty-two funded presentations in 2026 secured capital commitments across technology sectors through validated customer evidence and clear market analysis.

McDonald’s Saudi Arabia Contributed SAR 3.6 Billion to GDP in One Year
Oxford Economics report reveals McDonald’s Saudi Arabia economic impact generated SAR 3.6 billion in GDP contributions and supported 22,500 jobs from April 2024 to March 2025, demonstrating significant economic multiplier effects across sectors.

HONOR Opens Largest Overseas Service Centre in Saudi Arabia
HONOR service centre Saudi Arabia opened its largest overseas facility in Riyadh, featuring an 180-square-meter facility designed for faster service turnaround. The opening includes promotional offers and marks a major expansion milestone in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia Presents AI Governance Model at UN Commission on Science and Technology
Saudi Arabia’s AI authority presented its governance model at a UN commission in Geneva, outlining the Kingdom’s approach to regulating artificial intelligence and building reliable systems.

Alphabet Commits $40 Billion to Anthropic as AI Demand Overwhelms Infrastructure
Alphabet increases funding to Anthropic by $40 billion and commits 5 gigawatts of power as the AI startup struggles to meet surging customer demand for Claude.

Dalil and e7 Group Sign MoU for Strategic Investment in Idenex
Dalil Holding and e7 Group PJSC have signed an MoU to collaborate on Idenex identity management, aiming to create a UAE identity management champion with global reach.

Saudi Arabia to Host Fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in September 2026
Saudi Arabia will host the fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Riyadh from September 14-17, 2026, co-hosted by SDAIA, UNESCO, and ICAIRE. The event reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in responsible AI development.

Saudi Government Sukuk Added to J.P. Morgan and Bloomberg Emerging Markets Indices
Saudi government sukuk indices have been included in J.P. Morgan’s GBI-EM and Bloomberg’s Emerging Market Local Currency Government Index, effective 2027. The dual inclusion reflects confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economic resilience and supports the Kingdom’s financial sector development goals.

xAI in Talks With Mistral and Cursor for Three-Way AI Partnership
Elon Musk is exploring a strategic three-way partnership between xAI, Mistral, and Cursor to challenge OpenAI and Anthropic’s dominance in artificial intelligence.

Orange Reports 12.7% Revenue Growth in Middle East and Africa Operations
Orange’s Middle East and Africa operations drove first-quarter growth with a 12.7% revenue increase, while the company pursues European expansion through acquisitions.
Most read in Economy & Business
- Saudi Businesses Expand Investment in Agentic AI for Enterprise Operations
- Bupa Arabia Concludes Bupa Padel 2026 Tournament in Riyadh
- iSolution Earns Great Place to Work Certification in Saudi Arabia and UAE
- Fortinet and Aramco Sign Agreement to Expand Industrial Cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia
- ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC PSP and Sinohydro Sign $2.2B Rabigh 2 IPP Expansion Contract

Klay Group Appoints Gaurav Gupta as Managing Director for Asia Operations
Klay Group appoints Gaurav Gupta as Managing Director for Asia, based in Singapore. The appointment reflects the firm’s expansion strategy amid growing demand for institutional-quality wealth management solutions.

BurjX Expands Stablecoin Infrastructure Across Multiple Blockchain Networks
BurjX stablecoin infrastructure expands across multiple blockchain networks under ADGM regulation, enabling multi-chain settlement with AED banking integration for institutional and retail clients.

LG Electronics Partners With Green Riyadh to Support Saudi Environmental Goals
LG Electronics partners with Green Riyadh on Earth Day 2026, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s environmental goals through tree-planting initiatives and energy-efficient technology contributions.

ADCB Reports Record Q1 2026 Profit of AED 3.781 Billion, Up 30% Year-on-Year
ADCB Q1 2026 earnings achieved record profit before tax of AED 3.781 billion, up 30 percent year-on-year, marking 19 consecutive quarters of profit growth. The bank’s strong performance was driven by diversified revenue streams and operational efficiency gains.

Saudi Government Agencies Boost Emerging Technologies Adoption to 76.04%
Saudi government agencies increased emerging technologies adoption readiness to 76.04% in 2026, up from 74.69% in 2025, with 54 agencies participating in the Digital Government Authority’s latest assessment.

King Saud University Showcases Four Medical Patents at Innovation Exhibition
King Saud University displayed four medical patents during its World Creativity and Innovation Day exhibition, including innovations in medical bandages, dental crowns, implant research, and anesthesia tools.

AlfaNow Partners with Al Fardan Exchange to Expand Cross-Border Payments in UAE
AlfaNow and Al Fardan Exchange launch partnership enabling cross-border payments to 125+ countries through 92+ UAE branches and digital channels.

Ericsson and Saudi Arabia Expand Digital Infrastructure Partnership
The Ericsson Saudi Arabia partnership expands its digital infrastructure scope, focusing on 5G networks, cloud services, and artificial intelligence investments in the Kingdom.

Loylogic Launches Redesigned Website for Global Rewards Marketplace
Loylogic launches a redesigned website reflecting the shift from traditional loyalty programs to marketplace-driven engagement. The platform enables organizations to deliver rewards at scale across 190 countries.

Survey Reveals Shadow IT Risks Leave Saudi Organizations Vulnerable to Cyberattacks
Kaspersky survey finds 45% of Saudi professionals view cybersecurity policies as excessive, while 25% install software without IT oversight, exposing organizations to significant security risks.

BHM Capital Approves 20% Dividend Distribution for 2025
BHM Capital approved a 20% dividend distribution for 2025, comprising 5% cash dividends and 15% bonus shares, backed by strong financial results including AED 205.98 million in revenues.

Dubai South Partners With Emirates NBD to Support SME Growth
Dubai South and Emirates NBD sign partnership to support SME growth through streamlined banking services and tailored financial solutions within the major development.
