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Middle East Edition
29th January 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Private sector drives labour market growth in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's economy is undergoing a significant transformation, with the share of citizens employed in the private sector reaching 52.8%, exceeding a 51.4% target. A report, “A Decade of Progress,” prepared with the World Bank and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, highlights a structural shift in local job roles, especially for women. Cristobal Ridao-Cano from the World Bank noted: "The private sector is now one of the driving forces behind new job growth." The Kingdom aims to increase private sector employment to 58.3% by 2030, with expected improvements in female and youth employment rates.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Qatar Development Bank launches 'Reyada' portal

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched the Reyada portal, a digital platform aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Qatar. The portal offers two main tracks: the Reyada Advisory Platform, which provides tools and financial grants for SMEs, and the Reyada Academy, which delivers specialised training programmes. The initiative aims to support sustainable business growth and operational efficiency in line with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.
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TECHNOLOGY

Employees say AI is not saving time

Despite bold claims from executives about artificial intelligence's productivity gains, a new survey reveals a stark disconnect with employees, most of whom report little to no time saved using the technology. While over 40% of executives say AI saves them more than eight hours per week, two-thirds of non-management staff say they save less than two hours or none at all, according to a Section survey of 5,000 white-collar workers. Many workers said they feel overwhelmed or anxious about AI integration, using it mainly for basic tasks including draft writing or search, and often spending time correcting AI errors. Chief executives acknowledge limited bottom-line impact so far, with just 12% reporting both cost and revenue benefits from AI, according to PwC. The findings suggest a growing credibility gap between C-suite optimism and employee experience.

UAE accelerates efforts to integrate AI into higher education

The UAE is advancing the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education through a recent workshop attended by over 120 experts. Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, highlighted the initiative's goal to enhance educational quality and align academic outcomes with the national economy. Six universities showcased their AI models, while global firms including Microsoft and Google presented supportive technologies.
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STRATEGY

Amazon to cut a further 16,000 corporate jobs

Amazon plans to cut around 16,000 jobs as part of efforts to streamline its corporate workforce. This brings the total number of job cuts announced by Amazon over the last four months to 30,000. Amazon’s corporate headcount is estimated to be about 350,000 staff, most of whom work in the US.
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LEGAL

UAE introduces new mediation and conciliation framework for disputes

The UAE's Federal Supreme Council of the Judiciary has launched a comprehensive framework for mediation and conciliation to address civil and commercial disputes, in line with Federal Decree-Law No. (40) of 2023. The initiative includes the establishment of specialised centres in four emirates and detailed procedures for mediation, which aim to enhance efficiency and reduce court backlogs. Minister of Justice Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi said that the innovations signify a significant advancement in alternative dispute resolution, ultimately strengthening the judiciary and fostering an attractive environment for investment.
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CORPORATE

SpaceX weighs June IPO timed to planetary alignment and Elon Musk’s birthday

Elon Musk has proposed a mid-June timing of SpaceX’s $50bn IPO to coincide with a rare planetary alignment and his birthday, the Financial Times reports. 
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INTERNATIONAL

Citi seeks to move harassment claim against top executive to arbitration

Citigroup has rejected claims by former managing director Julia Carreon, who sued the bank over alleged sexual harassment by wealth management chief Andy Sieg. The bank’s complaint alleged Carreon lodged the sexual harassment allegations to avoid requirements that otherwise would have necessitated the employment dispute to be handled through arbitration. "Citi's retaliatory filing of a lawsuit against Ms. Carreon after she sued the firm for gender and racial discrimination speaks eloquently to the bullying and intimidation tactics Wall Street firms routinely employ against women or people of color who have the courage to seek reform," Carreon's lawyer Linda Friedman said.

UK water regulator will pay employees to stay

UK water regulator Ofwat plans to offer extra money to some staff, including engineers and data experts, as it struggles to fill roles after its workforce shrank by a fifth, partly as a result of government plans to abolish it and establish a new watchdog. The new regulator will take two years to set up, and in the meantime Ofwat must have a workforce that is sufficient to manage projects as well as the transition, chief executive Chris Walters told lawmakers in parliament. 

African nations now repay more to China than they borrow

A report by ONE Data reveals that African countries are now sending more money to China in debt repayments than they are receiving in new loans, marking a significant shift in financial relations. The change has led to a dramatic $52bn swing in net finance flows, with Africa moving from receiving $30bn in loans to paying out $22bn. Analysts view this trend as a "net negative" for African nations, hindering their ability to fund public services while simultaneously promoting greater domestic accountability.

Singapore moves to safeguard against rogue AI agents

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority has launched the Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI. The framework addresses risks associated with AI systems that can operate independently, such as unauthorised payments and data theft. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo noted that while the framework is not fully developed, it establishes essential expectations for organisations. It emphasises the need for human accountability and limits on AI agents' access to tools. The framework aims to ensure safe AI deployment while fostering equitable knowledge among companies, including SMEs.
 
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