IFP Info - News
  • Agrofood
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Environment
    • Food
    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Trending Tags

    • Business & Economy
      • All
      • Business
      • Economy
      • Finance
      • Industry
      • Technology
      • Trade
      • Transport & Logistics
      Aramco, DHL to build procurement and logistics hub for the energy sector

      Aramco, DHL to build procurement and logistics hub for the energy sector

      Second runway of Muscat airport to be ready this year

      Second runway of Muscat airport to be ready this year

      UAE-Oman rail network expected to bring about new era of collaboration and growth

      UAE-Oman rail network expected to bring about new era of collaboration and growth

      Saudi Arabia issues 124 licenses to industrial units in different sectors in January

      Saudi Arabia issues 124 licenses to industrial units in different sectors in January

      Qatar’s economic growth is strong: ICAEW

      Qatar’s economic growth is strong: ICAEW

      Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

      Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

      Trending Tags

      • CES 2017
      • Election Results
      • eSports
    • Construction
      • All
      • Infrastructure
      • Real Estate
      Saudi Arabia real estate: PIF-backed firm signs largest deal valued at $1.5bn

      Saudi Arabia real estate: PIF-backed firm signs largest deal valued at $1.5bn

      Construction works of Egypt’s first eco-sustainable industrial complex kick off

      Construction works of Egypt’s first eco-sustainable industrial complex kick off

      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Trending Tags

      • Energy
        • All
        • Oil & Gas
        • Power & Electricity
        • Renewable Energy
        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        Trending Tags

        • Hospitality
          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

        • IFP Events
          • Event News
          • Upcoming Events
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Agrofood
          • All
          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food
          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Industry
            • Technology
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics
            Aramco, DHL to build procurement and logistics hub for the energy sector

            Aramco, DHL to build procurement and logistics hub for the energy sector

            Second runway of Muscat airport to be ready this year

            Second runway of Muscat airport to be ready this year

            UAE-Oman rail network expected to bring about new era of collaboration and growth

            UAE-Oman rail network expected to bring about new era of collaboration and growth

            Saudi Arabia issues 124 licenses to industrial units in different sectors in January

            Saudi Arabia issues 124 licenses to industrial units in different sectors in January

            Qatar’s economic growth is strong: ICAEW

            Qatar’s economic growth is strong: ICAEW

            Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

            Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Saudi Arabia real estate: PIF-backed firm signs largest deal valued at $1.5bn

            Saudi Arabia real estate: PIF-backed firm signs largest deal valued at $1.5bn

            Construction works of Egypt’s first eco-sustainable industrial complex kick off

            Construction works of Egypt’s first eco-sustainable industrial complex kick off

            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              Trending Tags

              • Hospitality
                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

              • IFP Events
                • Event News
                • Upcoming Events
              No Result
              View All Result
              IFP Info - News
              No Result
              View All Result

              Abu Dhabi weathers economic headwinds and fares better than many of its peers

              OBG

              December 15, 2016
              in Economy
              0
              0
              SHARES
              7
              VIEWS
              Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

              Abu Dhabi has experienced significant change this year as the energy resource-rich emirate faces a second consecutive year of lower hydrocarbons income.

              However, buoyed by ongoing diversification efforts, a recently released five-year plan for 2016-20 and large-scale restructuring of state-owned entities, Abu Dhabi has weathered economic headwinds and fared better than many of its peers.

              While the government continues to rein in spending and tap foreign asset holdings to plug budget deficits in the short term, a sound fiscal position places Abu Dhabi on the path to accommodate a prolonged swing in the commodities cycle.

              Peaks and troughs
              In October the IMF predicted that GDP growth in Abu Dhabi would dip to 1.5% this year, down from 4.3% last year. While some indicators, such as consumer confidence and non-oil growth, demonstrated resilience at year-end, the emirate’s economy remains influenced by commodity prices and associated government spending.

              Key sectors like real estate and hospitality saw moderate declines this year, with rental rates for prime units in Abu Dhabi down 5% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the third quarter of 2016, according to real estate consultancy firm JLL, citing job cuts in both public and private sectors. Average daily rates of hotels also dropped 10% y-o-y to $121 in the third quarter, with occupancy decreasing by 2.3% y-o-y to 70%.

              Other sectors like financial services faced challenges as well, with banks experiencing liquidity pressure as deposits from government entities slowed.

              Across the board, however, many positive announcements bucked regional trends, including a series of mega-mergers, a number of tenders awarded by Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) for infrastructure development projects, new supply deals in the emirate’s growing aerospace industry and the unveiling of bankruptcy legislation set to be operational early next year.

              In July ratings agency Fitch maintained the emirate’s investment grade at “AA”, citing its ability to weather weak oil prices through robust foreign sovereign assets and low debt levels.

              Restructuring efforts
              2016 has also seen a series of high-profile consolidations, as companies moved to strengthen their balance sheets and achieve integration across business units.

              The first major announcement was the merger between National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank, which was approved by both boards in July and is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2017. The companies will join to become one of the largest bank by assets in the MENA region with Dh642bn ($174.8bn).

              The deal could potentially trigger further consolidations in the UAE’s financial services sector, where approximately 50 lenders compete in a market of 9m people.

              Meanwhile, two of the emirate’s largest sovereign investment funds – Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company, and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) – announced plans to merge, creating a single entity with more than $135bn in assets and $42bn in debt, international media reported in June.

              More recently, in October the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced the consolidation of its offshore subsidiaries, the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company and the Zakum Development Company by the end of 2017, while three of ADNOC’s marine and shipping companies – the Petroleum Services Company, the Abu Dhabi National Tanker Company and the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company – will combine operations, also by the end of next year, the company said.

              The education sector has also seen restructuring, with authorities approving the unification of the Petroleum Institute, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Khalifa University in October. The recent move is aimed at harnessing resources to develop a stronger, research-based institution.

              Abu Dhabi at 50
              This year marks the 50th year anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council – the executive branch of the local government responsible for setting and monitoring the implementation of general policy and the emirate’s development plans, as well as authorizing projects and decrees.

              In 1966 the Council drew up the emirate’s first five-year Abu Dhabi Plan, emphasizing economic development and infrastructure, including education, health and transportation links.

              These initial plans laid the groundwork for the emirate’s rapid expansion seen in ensuing decades, with GDP increasing from nearly Dh3.3bn ($898.5m) in 1970 to Dh960bn ($261bn) in 2014, and population rising from 66,700 in 1970 to 2.8m in mid-2015, according to figures from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi.

              The newest five-year instalment of the Abu Dhabi Plan – which supports the emirate’s long-term Economic Vision 2030 – was released in mid-2016 and focuses on five main areas: social development; economic development; infrastructure and environment; security, justice and safety; and government affairs. Within these sectors, the Abu Dhabi Executive Council has outlined 25 specific policy priorities, such as environmental sustainability and food security.

              The newest plan includes social goals such as reducing unemployment by half – which stood at 3.7% last year, according to government figures – by focusing on creating jobs in Al Ain and ensuring all children are literate by 2020. Authorities also aim to expand the volume of foreign direct investment and increase tourism revenues under the plan.

              The Abu Dhabi Plan provides an overarching policy direction for the emirate, with government entities aligning their objectives to those of the plan.
              Oxford Business Group
              15 December

              Previous Post

              Students boost innovation in GCC’s $2 trillion construction industry

              Next Post

              Qatar’s budget for 2017 ensures major projects go ahead as scheduled

              Next Post

              Qatar’s budget for 2017 ensures major projects go ahead as scheduled

              News Letter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              Filter By Country

              IFP Info – News

              The resource of credible, industry-specific updates

              Categories

              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Energy
              • Event News
              • Hospitality
              • Interviews

              Countries

              • Bahrain
              • Egypt
              • Iran
              • Iraq
              • Jordan
              • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
              • Kuwait
              • Lebanon
              • Oman
              • Other Africa
              • Other GCC
              • Other Middle East
              • Qatar
              • Syria
              • United Arab Emirates
              • Worldwide

              Newsletter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2023 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Energy
              • Hospitality
              • IFP Events
                • Event News
                • Upcoming Events

              © 2023 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com