New figures this weekend show the US economy grew at a slower than expected pace last quarter. Quarter four GDP came in at 1.9 per cent. That’s a drop from 3-and-a-half per cent the quarter before. GDP for the year is estimated at 1.6 per cent, the slowest growth in five years. However, economists are expecting stronger growth in 2017. President Donald Trump promised to lift growth to 4 per cent through tax cuts and infrastructure spending.
Nakheel awards contract to upgrade western shoreline at Dubai Islands
Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded Mar Marine & Building Contracting LLC a contract for marine and beach works on Island B at Dubai Islands.
UAE and Thailand conclude trade deal talks
The UAE and Thailand have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), after non-oil trade between the two countries reached $12.3 billion (AED 45.17 billion) in 2025.
Abu Dhabi unveils major AI training programme for government and public
The Abu Dhabi Government has launched an AI training programme for every government employee as well as the wider public, built with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
IMF reaches staff deal with Pakistan, potentially unlocking $1.2 billion
The International Monetary Fund has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on reviews of some of its lending programs, potentially unlocking about $1.21 billion in financing pending board approval, the fund said on Wednesday.
African Union launches continent's first credit rating agency
The African Union launched the continent's first credit rating agency on Wednesday, seeking to provide an alternative to the "big three" global ratings agencies as debt burdens weigh on many African economies.
