(ONA)-


The Sultanate of Oman is participating this week in the ministerial meeting in Manila commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On the sidelines of the meeting, Oman will also hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings aimed at advancing political and economic partnerships, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and strengthening cooperation on regional priorities of mutual interest.

Oman’s participation reflects its growing engagement with Southeast Asia and reinforces its role as a trusted partner connecting ASEAN with the Gulf, Africa and wider international markets. The meeting also provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation across priority sectors, including logistics, maritime transport, energy and green hydrogen, food security, tourism, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

The participation also supports Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening international partnerships, attracting quality investment and reinforcing the Oman’s position as a globally connected trade and logistics hub.

Relations between Oman and ASEAN member states continue to grow steadily across trade, investment and people-to-people ties. Collectively, ASEAN represents one of the world's most dynamic economic regions, with a population of more than 684 million people and trade in goods exceeding USD 3.8 trillion in 2024, presenting significant opportunities to deepen Oman's economic partnerships across Southeast Asia.

Bilateral trade with Singapore reached approximately RO 511 million by the end of October 2024, while Thailand's PTT signed a long-term agreement to purchase 300,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually from Oman LNG beginning in 2025. Oman is also home to around 50,000 Filipino nationals, whose contributions across healthcare, aviation, hospitality, construction and professional services reflect the deep and enduring human ties between the two regions. These growing economic and people-to-people links provide a strong foundation for expanding collaboration in trade, investment, innovation, education, research and cultural exchange.

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) was signed in 1976 as ASEAN’s foundational framework for promoting peaceful relations, dialogue and regional cooperation. Oman acceded to the Treaty in 2022 through Royal Decree No. 7/2023, reaffirming the principles that have long guided its foreign policy, including dialogue, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, adherence to international law and constructive international engagement. These shared principles continue to underpin closer cooperation between Oman and ASEAN member states in support of regional stability, sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

Supported by its strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes, integrated logistics ecosystem, world-class ports and free zones, and competitive investment environment, Oman offers ASEAN businesses a gateway to the Gulf, Africa and wider international markets.

(ONA)-


SOHAR Port and Freezone celebrated the official start of construction of the USD 50 million (approximately RO 19.2 million), zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues Recycling Industrial Park being developed by Oman Zinc (FZC) LLC, Oman Zinc Group.

The groundbreaking marks another milestone in SOHAR Freezone's continued success in attracting strategic industrial investments that support Oman's industrial diversification ambitions.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Saif Khaled Al Risi, Member of the Shura Council.

Located on a 100,000 square meters site within SOHAR Freezone, the project will establish an integrated zinc recycling and processing operation spanning material recovery, refining, SHG zinc ingot, and SHG zinc oxide production and export.

Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of refined zinc ingots and 50,000 tonnes of zinc oxide annually for customers across the GCC, India, Pakistan, and wider international markets.

“This project represents another important step in strengthening SOHAR's integrated metals ecosystem through advanced manufacturing, downstream value creation, and greater resource efficiency,” said Dr. Raid Al Rubaiey, CEO of SOHAR Freezone and Deputy CEO of SOHAR Port. “By connecting zinc recovery with refining, manufacturing, and export through one integrated ecosystem, we are creating stronger industrial linkages, supporting the more productive use of resources, and expanding Oman’s participation in global metals value chains. The speed at which this project has progressed from agreement to construction also reflects SOHAR’s ability to translate international investor confidence into tangible and sustainable industrial growth.”

The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will introduce zinc-bearing materials / zinc residues processing and pilot-scale SHG zinc ingot production. The second phase will establish a full-scale SHG zinc ingot refinery and SHG zinc oxide production plant, expanding the operation from initial material recovery into higher-value industrial processing.

“Breaking ground on Oman Zinc facility marks a significant milestone in Oman Zinc Group’s international growth and our long-term commitment to the Sultanate of Oman,” said Lin Feng Chairman of Oman Zinc Group. “SOHAR offers a distinctive combination of industrial infrastructure, global maritime connectivity, and access to important growth markets. Through this investment, we aim to build a competitive regional platform for zinc recovery and processing while contributing to the development of Oman’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.”

The facility's refined zinc ingots and zinc oxide will support a range of downstream industries, including galvanizing, alloy production, batteries, and specialty chemicals, complementing SOHAR's established metals cluster while creating opportunities for future industrial investment.

The project will also support more circular industrial practices by recovering zinc-bearing residues and converting them into commercially usable products. This reduces the loss of recoverable industrial materials, supports more efficient resource use, and creates additional economic value from industrial by-products.

Beyond direct production, the facility is expected to generate demand across logistics, maintenance, technical services, industrial support, and specialist contracting, creating additional opportunities for local suppliers and supporting the continued growth of SOHAR's industrial ecosystem. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the Oman Zinc project further reinforces SOHAR Port and Freezone's position as a globally connected industrial and logistics hub that continues to attract high-value manufacturing investments, strengthen industrial integration and create long-term economic value for Oman.

(ONA)-


Data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated a slight decrease of 0.8 percent in the number of active private enterprises in the Sultanate of Oman during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 265,918 enterprises, compared to 268,033 enterprises during the same period in 2025.

Medium enterprises recorded the highest growth rate during the first quarter of 2026 at 6.7 percent, reaching 1,987 enterprises, compared to 1,862 enterprises during the same period last year.

Small enterprises ranked second with a growth of 4.8 percent, reaching 31,369 enterprises compared to 29,932 enterprises during the first quarter of last year. Large enterprises also recorded a 4.5 percent growth, reaching 762 enterprises, compared to 729 enterprises during the first quarter of 2025.

In contrast, the number of micro-enterprises decreased by 1.6 percent, reaching 231,800 enterprises, compared to 235,510 enterprises during the same period last year.

On the economic performance front, the total value added of the enterprises decreased by 1.7 percent, amounting to RO 8,105.2 million during the first quarter of 2026, compared to RO 8,247.5 million in the first quarter of 2025.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a decline of 2.0 percent, reaching RO 10,293.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to RO 10,500.7 million during the same period last year.

Regarding the value added according to enterprise size, micro-enterprises topped the growth rates, recording a 6.2 percent increase to reach RO 841,200,000, compared to RO 792,400,000 in the first quarter of 2025.

Small enterprises came in second with a growth of 5.2 percent, with their value added reaching RO 702,200,000, compared to RO 667,200,000 during the same period last year. Medium enterprises also recorded a 3.1 percent growth in value added, reaching RO 654,900,000, compared to RO 635,300,000 in the first quarter of 2025.

Conversely, the value added of large enterprises decreased by 4.0 percent, reaching RO 5,906.9 million compared to 6,152.6 million during the same period of the previous year.

As for the number of workers, the total number of workers in active private enterprises increased by 0.9 percent during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 1,822,317 workers, compared to 1,806,245 workers in the same period of 2025.

Medium enterprises led the growth in the number of workers with an increase of 7.9 percent, bringing their total workforce to 165,195 workers, compared to 153,094 workers during the first quarter of 2025. They were followed by small enterprises in second place, achieving a 6.3 percent growth, with the number of workers reaching 570,663 compared to 537,079 workers in the same period last year.

Large enterprises also recorded a 3.5 percent growth in the number of workers, with their total workforce reaching 453,708 workers, compared to 438,212 workers in the first quarter of 2025.

In contrast, the number of workers in micro-enterprises decreased by 6.7 percent, reaching 632,751 workers, compared to 677,860 workers during the same period last year.

(ONA)-


Muscat Stock Exchange "MSX 30" index today closed at 7,407.09 points, down 73.5 points, or 0.98 percent, from the previous session's close of 7,480.61 points.

Trading value stood at RO 24,644,802, representing a decline of 6.9 percent from RO 26,480,621 recorded in the last session, according to the MSX's report.

Market capitalization decreased by 0.427% percent from the previous trading day to approximately RO 37.89 billion.

Non‑Omani investors recorded purchases worth RO 2.146 million, accounting for 8.71 percent of total trading value, while sales reached RO 3.879 million, or 15.74 percent. Net non‑Omani investment consequently fell by RO 1.733 million, or 7.03 percent.

(BNA)-


Bahrain All Share Index has closed at 1,961.58 points, marking a decrease of 23.28 points below the previous closing.





This decrease was due to a drop in the communications services sector, the financials sector, the materials sector and the real estate sector.





Bahrain Islamic Index has closed at 907.14 points, marking a decrease of 25.09 points below the previous closing.





Results indicated that 145 equity transactions took place with a volume of 2,915,235 worth BD 719,889.

SPA-

The Kuwait Stock Exchange closed trading today with its general index down 46.67 points, or 0.54%, to reach 8617.85 points. Trading volume reached 246.3 million shares, executed through 17,271 cash transactions, with a total value of 58.4 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately US$189.3 million).

The main market index fell 97.61 points, or 1.10%, to 8756.31 points, with 144.2 million shares traded through 9,312 cash transactions, valued at 23.7 million dinars.

The premier market index declined 38.23 points, or 0.42%, to 9035.64 points, with 102.1 million shares traded through 7,959 cash transactions, valued at 34.6 million dinars. In parallel, the (Main 50) index decreased by (130.29) points, by (1.28%), to reach a level of (10070.37) points, through the trading of (108.4) million shares, through the execution of (6,191) cash transactions, with a value of (17.9) million dinars.

SPA-

The Egyptian stock market closed mixed today, with the market capitalization of listed companies declining by approximately EGP 1 billion to reach EGP 3.886 trillion. Total trading volume reached approximately EGP 17.3 billion, while individual stock market transactions amounted to around EGP 10 billion.

The benchmark EGX 30 index fell by 0.7% to 52,560.1 points, while the EGX 70 index for small and medium-sized enterprises rose by 1.25% to 17,263.26 points. The broader EGX 100 index also climbed by approximately 0.85% to 23,081.76 points.

The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index closed down 3.46 points today, settling at 10,716.82 points, with a trading value of SAR 2.3 billion.

According to the Saudi Press Agency's daily economic bulletin for the Saudi Stock Exchange, 130 million shares were traded. Shares of 65 companies rose, while shares of 190 companies declined.

The top gainers were Knowledge City, Enaya, Amac, Al-Ittihad, and Saleh Al-Rashed, while the biggest losers were Rasen, Smasco, Thimar, Maharah, and Saudi Re. The percentage changes ranged between a gain of 9.99% and a loss of 3.60%. Petro Rabigh, Americana, Saudi Aramco, Knowledge City, and Maharah were the most actively traded stocks by volume, while Petro Rabigh, Al Rajhi, Saudi Aramco, Bahri, and Red Sea were the most actively traded by value. The Saudi parallel stock index (Nomu) closed today down by (82.98) points, to reach a level of (22156.33) points, with trading valued at (13) million riyals, and the volume of traded shares exceeded (1.7) million shares.

(QNA)-


The population of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose to an estimated 62.8 million in 2025, an increase of 6.2 million people compared with 2022, representing an average annual growth rate of 3.5 percent, according to the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat).

According to the center, the GCC population increased from 56.6 million in 2022 to 59.1 million in 2023, then to 61.5 million in 2024, with the 2025 population estimated at 62.8 million.

The center said the GCC accounts for approximately 0.8 percent of the world's population and projected the population to reach around 83.6 million by 2050, an increase of about 33.6 percent from 2025.

The center noted that the GCC continues to have a relatively young population. Of the 61.5 million people recorded in 2024, around 23.5 million were aged between 15 and 34 years, accounting for 38.2 percent of the total population.

The working-age population (15-64 years) accounted for 76.7 percent of the total, while children under the age of 15 represented 20.6 percent. People aged 65 years and above made up just 2.6 percent, reflecting the region's youthful population structure.

The data also showed that there were 168 males for every 100 females in the GCC in 2024, while population density stood at approximately 25.5 people per square kilometer.

The center said the total demographic dependency ratio stood at 30.4 dependents per 100 working-age people in 2024, comprising 27.0 children and 3.4 older persons. The figures indicate that children account for the larger share of the dependency burden, reflecting the region's youthful population.

The center said the old-age dependency ratio is expected to increase gradually in line with projected demographic changes.

It added that the continued high share of the working-age population, accounting for more than three-quarters of the total, provides a strong foundation for economic growth and higher productivity. The data also highlight the importance of investing in and empowering young people as a key driver of development across the GCC.

(QNA)-


Qatar Oman Investment Company (a Qatari public shareholding company) reported a 15% increase in net profit for the first half of 2026 to QR 4.63 million, compared with QR 4.01 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

According to financial results published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website on Sunday, earnings per share (EPS) rose to QR 0.026 for the first six months of 2026, up from QR 0.022 in the same period last year.

(QNA)-


The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index closed Sunday's trading session down 148.38 points, or 1.47%, to settle at 9,954.84 points.
A total of 127,630,498 shares were traded during the session, with a total value of QR 322,968,485.121 across 30,594 transactions in all sectors.
Shares of eight companies advanced, while 44 companies ended the session lower.
Market capitalization at the close of trading stood at QR 597,832,873,602.256, compared with QR 608,820,631,434.920 in the previous session.

(QNA)-


Qatar Islamic Insurance's net profit dropped by 13.4% in H1 2026 to reach QR 59.8 million, compared to QR 69.1 million in H1 2025.
Data released by the company and published on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) website on Sunday showed a decrease in earnings per share to QR 0.40 for the period ending June 30, 2026, compared to earnings per share of QR 0.46 for the same period of the previous year.

(WAM)-


Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement (Tawazun) and UTAC, the French company specialising in vehicle testing, validation and certification, have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore opportunities for cooperation and assess the potential for establishing a commercial presence for the company in the UAE.

The LoI was signed by Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and Connor McCormack, Group CEO of UTAC.

The LoI aims to evaluate potential areas of cooperation in vehicle testing, performance validation, approval, and certification, as well as research and development and related mobility services, supporting the development of an advanced and integrated vehicle-testing ecosystem in the UAE.

Under the Letter of Intent, the two parties will exchange expertise and information on their respective capabilities and strategic objectives, assess demand and market opportunities for advanced vehicle-testing services in the UAE and the wider region, and explore potential cooperation with national entities on future projects.

The LoI also provides for an assessment of the potential establishment of a specialised vehicle test centre in the UAE, which would support the requirements of the defence, security and industrial sectors and enhance the country’s capabilities in testing, validation, and certification in line with international standards and best practices.

Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Kaabi, CEO of Tawazun Quality and Conformity, said that the signing of the LoI reflects the council’s commitment to developing national capabilities and supporting the establishment of an advanced and globally competitive defence and security ecosystem.

"Our discussions with UTAC will enable us to evaluate opportunities related to knowledge transfer, the development of specialised capabilities, and the enhancement of vehicle testing, validation and certification services in the UAE," he said.

Al Kaabi added that the development of advanced testing infrastructure would support the requirements of national entities and industrial partners, while contributing to strengthening the UAE’s position as a destination for specialised technology, research, and industrial development.

McCormack said, “This Letter of Intent reflects a shared ambition to advance vehicle testing, validation and certification capabilities in the UAE and the broader region."

He added that UTAC has extensive technical expertise and an impressive track record for international expansion, skills that it will leverage to support innovation, safety & industrial development in the region.

This step forms part of Tawazun’s efforts to develop advanced national capabilities, enhance the competitiveness of the UAE’s defence and security industries, and attract leading international expertise and specialised companies. It also supports knowledge transfer, technology localisation and the development of a sustainable national industrial ecosystem.

(WAM)-


ADGM Academy (ADGMA), the knowledge of Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, has published its 2025 Annual Report, demonstrating its role as a strategic enabler of the human capital aspect within the “Capital of Capital” – Abu Dhabi, strengthening the growth of its knowledge economy.

The annual report highlighted ADGMA’s measurable progress in developing national talent and strengthening industry capability by equipping professionals, institutions and future leaders with the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic and globally connected financial landscape.

During 2025, ADGM Academy further expanded its national impact by training 2,244 UAE nationals, bringing the cumulative number of Emiratis trained to 10,779 since its national development programmes began in 2019.

The report also showcased the research capabilities and industry expertise built during the year to support market competitiveness.

The academy also continued to broaden its reach across the financial services ecosystem and adjacent sectors, delivering more than 250 training sessions to over 5,000 participants, while convening 120 industry events attended by more than 3,000 professionals.

These programmes and events brought together regulators, financial institutions, government entities, academia and industry leaders to promote knowledge exchange, professional development and market collaboration.

Maintaining its focus on quality and international excellence, ADGM Academy recorded 94 percent student satisfaction and 86 percent client satisfaction during the year, while securing nine global accreditations and introducing new programmes focused on emerging disciplines, including artificial intelligence, digital finance, wealth management, governance and future skills.

Thought leadership remained central to the academy’s mission throughout the year. In 2025, the academy published 11 research papers addressing topics such as AI, digital assets, Web3, cybersecurity, payments, financial crime compliance and financial regulation, helping shape dialogue across financial services.

The report also highlighted the academy’s continued investment in 12 new strategic partnerships with leading global institutions, regulators and industry organisations, enabling internationally recognised education, research collaboration and market-focused learning pathways.

One of the important milestone partnerships in 2025 marked the launch of the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre, a key advancement to the academy's innovation ecosystem. Another major establishment during 2025 was the ADGM Academy Tech Centre, creating new platforms for applied research, technology development and capability building across emerging technologies.

Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of ADGM Academy, said, “Guided by the vision of the UAE leadership to build a competitive, knowledge-based economy powered by national talent and world-class capabilities, ADGM Academy continues to advance Abu Dhabi’s human capital agenda.

"In 2025, we strengthened our contribution to Emiratisation and workforce development by equipping UAE Nationals and professionals with the skills required to support innovation, resilience and long-term economic growth.”

As demand continues to grow for specialised skills across financial services, digital technologies and emerging industries, ADGM Academy remains focused on expanding access to world-class education, accelerating research and strengthening collaboration across academia, industry and government to develop the specialist capabilities that support Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic priorities.

(WAM)-


Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Salik Company PJSC, Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in delivering innovative, seamless mobility solutions across DIEZ’s free zones, including Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Dubai CommerCity (DCC).

The partnership is focused on enhancing customer experience, ensuring a smoother traffic flow along the critical corridor. These solutions, which include access control systems and parking optimisation tools, will cover more than 21,000 parking spaces distributed across DIEZ’s three economic zones, supporting more efficient movement and improved space utilisation across the zones.

The agreement reflects both entities’ shared commitment to advancing Dubai’s smart mobility and digital transformation agenda through solutions that streamline operations, improve efficiency, and deliver a more integrated experience for businesses, investors, and customers.

The planned implementation of this partnership also marks the launch of a new business vertical for Salik, while strengthening DIEZ’s technical infrastructure, operational capabilities, and access control through unified standards across its three free zones.

Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Chief Officer of Engineering and Sustainability at DIEZ, said, “Our collaboration with Salik reflects DIEZ’s ongoing commitment to adopting advanced digital solutions and forging strategic partnerships that contribute to delivering more efficient and seamless services for businesses operating within our economic zones.

"This partnership aligns with our vision of building an integrated business environment driven by innovation and advanced technologies, while supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and reinforcing the emirate’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a global hub for business and investment.”

Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of Salik, said, “Through our collaboration with DIEZ, we aim to unlock new opportunities that support smoother vehicle movement and improve efficiency across free zones. This initiative also marks the launch of a new smart mobility vertical for Salik, reinforcing our contribution to Dubai’s vision for intelligent, connected infrastructure.”

Under the agreement, both parties will assess opportunities for technical integration between their systems and mobility platforms, enabling smarter operations, improved flow management, stronger control mechanisms, and more efficient use of space within the free zones.

The partnership positions Salik and DIEZ to introduce a more coordinated mobility model across the free zones, aligning commercial growth with stronger infrastructure, operational efficiency, and an enhanced customer experience.