Five Minutes With… Mark Preston, CEO And Executive Chairman, City Index

Having just opened the company’s first Middle Eastern office in Dubai via sister brand FX Solutions, Mark Preston, CEO and executive chairman of City Index, talks the local forex market, the impact of technology and the global investment climate.

The GCC’s Food Security Dilemma

A lack of arable land and growing number of mouths to feed makes food security a pressing issue for the GCC.

Good Business: Why Placing Ethics Before Profits Pays Off

Ethics is a full time business and every firm needs to make an effort to be morally upright in all its dealings, writes the president and CEO of Philips, Middle East and Turkey.

Volatility Boosts Forex Trading Investment

Despite a recovery in yields across asset classes such as equities and real estate, the liquidity and volatility of the forex industry remains attractive to regional investors.

Matein Khalid: The Crimea Crisis And Russian Equities

Russia’s battle could trigger contagion across emerging markets, says Matein Khalid, a global equities investor and advisor to regional family offices.

Exclusive: Hill International CEO On Handing Over Power

Irvin Richter, CEO of Hill International, is stepping down at the end of the year to allow his son to take charge. But that won’t stop the firm’s frenetic pace, he says.

Concerned For Stability, Saudi Arabia Tightens Curbs On Dissent

Liberal reformers, atheists and human rights advocates have all been targeted through a series of arrests and new laws in the Kingdom.

Nuclear Power: Boon Or Bane For The GCC?

As the UAE and Saudi race to build nuclear reactors to meet mounting energy needs, the inevitable question arises – is nuclear a viable option?

How To Be An Ethical Leader

Sharing power and being clear about expectations could encourage innovation in your team, writes Jeanette Teh, assistant professor of Business Administration at the American University in Dubai.

In Green Car Race, Toyota Adds Muscle With Fuel-Cell Launch

The automaker plans to launch a hydrogen-powered car in the United States, Japan and Europe next year.

Five Minutes With… Jawad Squalli, Regional Vice President, Epicor ME

Software vendor Epicor is looking to expand in the Middle East, says Squalli.

The Internet Of Things: How Will It Affect People In The UAE?

Dubai’s smart city plan promises exciting times ahead, writes Jyoti Lalchandani, group VP and regional MD for the Middle East, Turkey & Africa at IDC.

Medical Tech Firms Boom In GCC As Healthcare Spend Surges

Medical tech firms are flush with rising government healthcare spend.

How To Double Your Traffic From Google In The Next 6 Months

James Reynolds, founder of search marketing firm Veravo, lists a number of tricks to increase web traffic.

Employee Training Is Key To Business Success

Employee learning and development is key to business success, says Abdulla Al Gurg, group general manager, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group.

Five Minutes With… Ammar Abulohom, CEO, Dar Al Aqar

Dubai’s real estate market still has plenty of growth opportunities, says the CEO of property brokerage service provider, Dar Al Aqar.

Biotech: Boom Or Bubble?

There’s been a renaissance in research and development productivity in biotech, writes Evan McCulloch, vice president portfolio manager/research analyst at Franklin Equity Group.

Dubai On The Fast-Track To Develop Smart Transportation

Driverless electric cars will soon hit UAE roads, writes Sherry Zameer from Gemalto Middle East.

Faster Wi-Fi On Flights Leads To Battle In The Sky

The number of commercial planes worldwide with Wi-Fi, cell service or both is expected to more than triple over the next 10 years, to 14,000 from about 4,000 currently.

Five Minutes With… Mark Waugh, Global MD, Newcast, ZenithOptimedia

Branded content is rapidly gaining ground in the Middle East as digital penetration increases, says Waugh.

Iran: The Largest And Most Enigmatic Frontier Market

Iran boasts a large, educated population and a wealth of business opportunities, writes Ali Borhani, founder of Incubeemea.com.

Customer Service “Biggest” Challenge For UAE Banks – Senior Official

Lenders hurting themselves by cold-calling customers, says head of Retail Banking at Emirates NBD.

Strategic CSR: Linking Socially Responsible Initiatives To Business Objectives

Connecting CSR initiatives with business objectives will create shared value for companies and society, says Jeanette Teh, assistant professor of Business Administration, American University in Dubai

Saudi’s Khodari Says Labour Reform Impact To Start Fading In H2

Labour reforms impact on the company will “drag on for a few more years”, but it is steadily decreasing, a top executive said.

Dealing With The Shale Gas Equation

Is the rise of shale gas and oil a threat or an opportunity for GCC nations?

Hong Kong: The Next Financial Frontier

With GCC investors increasingly looking east, can Hong Kong maintain its position as the financial centre of choice for China?

New Japanese Farming Methods Target UAE’s Agricultural Sector

Until recently it was thought that agriculture in the UAE was a futile industry. But Japan’s film farming technology is forcing the experts to revaluate.

Samsung, Apple Struggle To Compete As Smartphones Go Mass-Market

The average selling price of a smartphone globally is seen dropping by more than a fifth by 2018, to $260.

How To Rule The World Like… Warren Buffet

Buffet is the chairman and CEO of investment firm Berkshire Hathaway.

Another Barrier To Enter The UAE Falls

John Martin St. Valery, founding partner, The Links Group, explains why the recent agreement between the DIFC Courts and Federal Court of Australia is positive for companies looking to enter the GCC.