Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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Kuwait arrests 800 expats for residency, labour violations
Authorities in Kuwait have arrested 800 expats for violating residency and labour laws during a security crackdown. Police also arrested three defendants linked to a drugs case in Hawalli, reported The Times Kuwait. They also registered five drugs and alcohol cases in Farwaniya and took two others into custody following reports of absconding. In the
‘Energy City’ announced to help realise Saudi Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia has revealed plans to set up an “Energy City” with state-of-the-art infrastructure as part of Saudi Vision 2030, a senior official has said. Khalid Al-Falih, minister of energy, industry and mineral resources said that the aim of the new project is to attract major companies in energy-related industries to the city. He also
Qatar: The Shape of Tomorrow
Doha: Plastic and ready-made, it’s a city built for Jeff Koons. When I run into him in March at the elevator bank at the W Doha Hotel, it feels staged. House music plays at a tasteful volume for nine o’clock in the morning. Koons’s smile is cartoonish and his gray skinny tie impeccably knotted. A frequent
June 20, 2016
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The Gulf states’ double expat dividend
How should policymakers in the Gulf states manage their countries’ large expatriate workforces? In Saudi Arabia, foreign nationals account for roughly one-third of the population. In Qatar and the UAE, nine out of every ten residents is an expatriate. Should these governments continue to invest heavily in developing indigenous labour forces, with the aim of
June 20, 2016
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Swedish retail giant IKEA inks deal for Jeddah mall anchor store
Arabian Centres, the Saudi-based developer, owner and operator of shopping malls, announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a tenancy agreement that will see Swedish giant IKEA open in Jeddah. The deal has been signed with Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Furniture Trading Co Ltd and IKEA Saudi Arabia to open an anchor store in
Expats Outnumber Saudis in Jeddah & Jubail: Learn More
The number of expats in the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Jubail is reportedly higher than that of Saudi nationals, according to reports from the kingdom. The revelation prompted calls for the Vision 2030 to include plans to curb the number of expats in some cities, with one researcher claiming cultural identities and traditions
Qatar looks to attract foreign investment with free zones
Ministers have approved a draft law setting out regulations for special economic zones aimed at attracting inward investment in Qatar, it was reported on Thursday. Qatar’s cabinet has referred the bill to the Advisory Council, Qatar News Agency (QNA) was quoted as saying. Its provisions stipulate that the cabinet can establish one or more economic
Oman’s population increases to 4.44m in May
Oman’s total population exceeded 4.44 million in May, posting a 0.3 percent increase over the previous month, according to the latest data published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Expatriates numbered over 2.02 million, forming 45.5 percent of the total population, according to news agency WAM, which cited information from Oman News
Opera’s Middle Eastern conquests
DUBAI, renowned across the world for its oil wealth, now wants to forge a reputation for the arts. In recent years, the emirate has built several contemporary art galleries including Artspace and the Mottahedan Projects. Now, construction crews are putting the final touches on a striking building designed by Janus Rostock, a Danish architect. Featuring
June 17, 2016
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