GCC Business

Why business and market intelligence important for GCC corporates?

Interview with Mr. M.R.Raghu, CEO, Marmore MENA Intelligence Do GCC companies actively seek market intelligence? Private organizations in the GCC often find themselves in a situation where they need to make decisions of considerable importance with substantial consequences under uncertainty. In such scenarios, they seek out more information to enhance their understanding and take calculated risks. The foremost procurers and users of market intelligence, the private sector, obtains research for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from strategic, economic, industry,...

Is education still a good business in the GCC?

Challenges faced by GCC education industry Despite the growing government spending on education by gulf countries averaging 15.8% of government expenditure in GCC, the quality of education remain below par to global standards. It is reflected in high level of unemployment among youths with an unemployment rate as high as 27% (World Economic Forum). While Gulf governments may be eager to prioritize the hiring of nationals particularly in the private sector, a significant gap in skillsets and cultural and structural...

Who should worry most about VAT in the UAE?

The article originally appeared in The National | Business. By January 1, 2018, it is expected that value added tax (VAT) will be applied at a rate of 5 per cent on most goods and services in the UAE and wider GCC region. The GCC governments will face a combined fiscal deficit of about US$350 billion over the next five years, according to the IMF, which bases its estimate on an oil price of $56 per barrel. This means that...