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    Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

    Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

    Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

    Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

    Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

    Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

    Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

    Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

    Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

    Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

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    • Business & Economy
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      Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

      Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

      Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

      Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

      Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

      Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

      Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

      Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

      Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

      Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

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      • CES 2017
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      Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

      Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

      Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

      Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

      Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

      Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

      Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

      Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

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        NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

        NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

        Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

        Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

        Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

        Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

        UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

        UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

        Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

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        • Hospitality
          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          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

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        • Agrofood
          • All
          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food
          Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

          Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

          Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

          Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

          Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

          Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

          Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

          Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

          Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

          Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Industry
            • Technology
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics
            Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

            Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

            Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

            Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

            Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

            Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

            Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

            Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

            Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

            Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

            Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

            Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

            Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

            Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

            Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

            Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

            Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

              NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

              Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

              Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

              Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

              Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

              UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

              UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

              Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

              Trending Tags

              • Hospitality
                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                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

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              Bahrain moves to strengthen ICT services

              OBG

              June 30, 2016
              in IT & Telecom
              0
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              Providing countrywide high-speed internet service is the overarching aim of Bahrain’s latest master plan for the kingdom’s ICT industry.

              Launched on May 8 and set to run over the next three years, the fourth National Telecommunications Plan (NTP) targets improving connectivity and data transfer speeds across the kingdom, while also providing universal fiber optic coverage through stronger infrastructure.

              Shoring up services
              The newest master plan builds on the achievements of the previous three programs, which facilitated the liberalization of Bahrain’s ICT sector by laying the groundwork for the development of a digital economy and addressing shortfalls in hard infrastructure and the regulatory framework.

              In a policy shift welcomed by key industry stakeholders, Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications will oversee the implementation of NTP, rather than the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

              “The TRA shouldn’t be expected to act as both regulator and enforcer,” Rashid Al Snan, CEO of Etisalcom Bahrain, an ICT services provider, told OBG. “Enforcement is bound to be more efficient and effective when overseen by a ministry.”

              The NTP also seeks to enhance Bahrain’s status as a regional ICT center, as it strengthens electronic communications security and boosts the international connectivity of the country’s telecoms networks.

              Fiber going further
              Under the new plan, Bahrain will expand its fiber optic network to offer full coverage nationwide within three years, with the aim of providing affordable, high-speed access to fixed-line broadband services.

              Veer Passi, CEO of Kalaam Telecom, Bahrain’s second-largest internet services provider for corporate services, welcomed the plan’s objectives, telling OBG that they indicated “a clear sense of seriousness about developing the Bahraini ICT market”.

              “The development of one network with all fiber infrastructure under one roof and standard pricing is especially significant,” he added.

              The investment and development program will also ready Bahrain for the deployment of 5G technology, which marks the next step in the evolution of mobile telecoms.

              Operators in Bahrain are eyeing a rollout of 5G services by 2018 at the latest. The NTP foresees allocating new spectrum to service providers, which will be required for a future 5G launch.

              While there has been a steep downturn in average revenue per user over the past eight years, earnings from broadband have increased, with the number of broadband subscribers rising from 1.63m in 2013 to 2m in the first quarter of 2016, according to the TRA.

              Mobile services now make up 50% of all broadband usage and account for more than a third of all broadband revenues.

              Stronger infrastructure and comprehensive fiber optic coverage should help shift this balance, with advanced connections to the home and workplace generating higher demand for content and data services to fixed platforms.

              Competitive marketplace
              Competition in Bahrain’s ICT market is fierce, with the main industry players competing for market share with a rising number of internet firms offering communications and data services.

              Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco), recorded a 33% year-on-year (y-o-y) drop in net profits in the first quarter of 2016, while Kuwait-owned mobile telecommunications company Zain’s net profits were also down 10%. Viva, a subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company, meanwhile, saw its net profits for the quarter slip 5% y-o-y.
               
              Zain cited tougher domestic competition and foreign exchange volatility among the contributing factors, according to international media reports.
               
              All three firms, however, noted positive trends when it came to acquiring customers.

              Zain continued to gain market share, recording an increase in its customer base compared to the previous quarter, while Viva’s client list had reached 2.4m by the end of March. Batelco saw its broadband client base rise by 8%.

              Ihab Hinnawi, group CEO of Batelco, attributed the strong growth to rising demand for television and other value-added services, fueled by increased investments in infrastructure, according to local press reports.

              Supporting SMEs
              Higher broadband take-up also reflected the growing needs of Bahrain’s business sector and rising demand for advanced digital solutions.

              “Cloud capabilities, [over-the-top] TV services, fiber to the home and delivery of superfast broadband are the areas we are tightening our focus on during 2016,” Hinnawi said, when announcing the company’s first-quarter results.

              NTP also comes at a time when there is growing awareness about the advantages of ICT as an economic tool.

              Improved IT services will be pivotal in helping small businesses grow, according to Ahmed Alhujairy, chairman and group CEO of Gulf Future Business, a corporate services and ICT consultancy firm.

              “The Bahraini market is too small to support growth across small and medium-sized enterprises, so a strong IT infrastructure has a key part to play in enabling these businesses to scale up quickly in preparation for expanding into neighboring GCC markets,” he told OBG.
              Oxford Business Group
              30 June

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