News

BLOOMBERG Finland’s economy contracted more in the fourth quarter than a flash estimate had indicated, affirming that the Nordic nation has entered a recession. Gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 0.6% last quarter from the previous three-month period, when it contracted a revised 0.1%, Statistics Finland said. A flash estimate had indicated a 0.2% decline in output. GDP was stagnant compared ...

BLOOMBERG Volkswagen AG reaffirmed its commitment to an automotive plant in Xinjiang after a visit by its China chief, despite persistent concerns of human rights abuses in the country’s far western region. The German carmaker said it has no indication that workers are mistreated at the facility in the city of Urumqi, which is operated by a subsidiary of its ...

BLOOMBERG The Swiss economy unexpectedly failed to grow in the final months of 2022 as manufacturing output contracted and exports weighed on momentum. Gross domestic product stalled in the fourth quarter, according to government data. That falls short of the median economist prediction in a Bloomberg survey, which had anticipated a 0.1% increase. Exports showed a significant decline of 0.9% ...

BLOOMBERG Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen both hailed their post-Brexit deal as a chance to reset frayed relations between the two sides. For investors in British assets, the repair work is only just beginning. BlackRock Inc and Abrdn Plc are among asset managers overseeing more than $9 trillion combined that expect the deal ...

BLOOMBERG The UK and European Union (EU) reached a deal on Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements, ending more than a year of often acrimonious wrangling over the post-Brexit settlement for the region, people familiar with the matter said. The agreement follows a meeting between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to the people, ...

BLOOMBERG Supporters of Italy’s Democratic Party have chosen Elly Schlein as their next leader, a surprise result that signals a shakeup in the country’s main political opposition and also means that women now lead both of the country’s biggest parties. The 37-year-old, who also holds US citizenship, won about 54% of the over 1 million votes cast during an informal ...

BLOOMBERG The Philippines has filed 10 diplomatic protests against China over alleged “violations” in the South China Sea with barely two months into 2023, underscoring renewed tensions between the two nations over the disputed waters. These form part of the 77 diplomatic protests filed against China under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a ...

BLOOMBERG China’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine puts it in an “awkward” position internationally and any weapons support to Russia would come with “real costs,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. Sullivan emphasized in three interviews with US television networks that the Biden administration doesn’t have evidence that China is giving “lethal support” to President Vladimir Putin’s ...

SHARJAH / WAM A delegation of 143 senior officials and directors from prominent food and beverage companies in Turkiye recently visited the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) to explore new investment opportunities and experience the quality services provided to investors in the sector. During the visit, the Turkish delegation was briefed on the investment incentives and advantages offered by the ...

ABU DHABI / WAM  Tawazun Council has established a free zone dedicated to the military and security sector in Tawazun Industrial Park. The free zone covers 2.8 square kilometres and has been established to commence operations related to defence and security industries, including electronic and technological activities, clear-cut metal industries, safety and security, research and development, as well as logistics ...