Author: khaleejinsights.com

Etihad Airways has scheduled six new Africa services from Abu Dhabi, widening its direct Africa network from November 2026 to March 2027.

Japan set fiscal 2026 defense spending near 2% of GDP as the Ministry of Defense expanded funding for missiles, drones and air defense.

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates entered 2026 with a strong run of official economic data showing broad-based expansion across non-oil activity, trade, banking and investment, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing economies. Releases published in the first quarter and early second quarter pointed to solid momentum carried over from 2025, with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre and the Central Bank of the UAE reporting gains in output, financial activity and domestic business conditions. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre said UAE gross domestic product rose 5.1% year on year in the first nine months of 2025 to about AED1.4 trillion,…

Malaysia recorded RM68.52 billion in halal exports in 2025, as food and beverage products remained the sector’s largest contributor.

South Korea approved its first paid self-driving freight service, clearing RideFlux to launch autonomous parcel deliveries in June.

SEJONG: South Korea’s automobile exports rose in March as strong global demand for hybrid vehicles lifted overseas shipments despite weaker sales in parts of Asia and the Middle East. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said auto exports totaled $6.37 billion last month, up 2.2% from a year earlier and marking the second-highest figure ever recorded for March. Export volume increased 7.8% from a year earlier, while the ministry said gains in eco-friendly models helped offset disruption in some overseas markets. Hybrid vehicles were the clearest driver of the March increase. The ministry said the export value of hybrid cars surged…

ABU DHABI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met European Council President António Costa in Abu Dhabi on April 14, with the two leaders focusing on regional developments and their effect on regional and international peace and security. The talks addressed the impact of the crisis on maritime security, energy supplies and the global economy, placing the meeting at the center of both an urgent regional discussion and a broader review of relations between the United Arab Emirates and the European Union. The meeting also covered Iranian attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the UAE and other countries in the region,…

BEIJING: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived in Beijing to begin an official visit to China that runs from April 12 to April 14, with both sides framing the trip as a step to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across priority sectors. China’s foreign ministry said the visit is taking place at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, while Abu Dhabi said it is intended to strengthen the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by a senior delegation that included Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Special Envoy to China…

BEIJING: China’s automobile industry posted a sharp rebound in March, with production rising to 2.917 million units and sales reaching 2.899 million units, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Output jumped 74.4% from February and sales increased 60.6% from the previous month. From a year earlier, however, production slipped 3.0% and sales edged down 0.6%, showing that the strong monthly rebound came against a softer annual base for the broader market. New energy vehicles remained a central driver of the market in March. Production of NEVs totaled 1.231 million units and sales reached 1.252 million units, leaving…

SEOUL: The Bank of Korea held its benchmark interest rate at 2.50% on Friday, extending a pause that began in July 2025 and marking a seventh straight policy meeting without a change, as policymakers weighed rising inflation pressure, weaker growth risks and heightened market volatility. The decision by the seven-member Monetary Policy Board was unanimous, and the central bank said uncertainty tied to developments in the Middle East had complicated the policy outlook for an economy exposed to energy prices and exchange-rate swings. The central bank said consumer price inflation rose to 2.2% in March from 2.0% in February, driven by a sharp…