The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Duqm can now register new businesses in under 15 minutes under revamped and modernised procedures that have been introduced by the SEZ Authority (Sezad), a media report said.

RAK Ceramics, one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world, has registered a total revenue of AED 411.3 million ($112 million) down 37.3 per cent year on year due to the Covid-19 lockdowns in India, Bangladesh and across Europe.

Mezzan Holding, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of food, beverage, FMCG and healthcare in the Gulf, reported a revenue of KD134.3 million ($439.02 million) for the first half of 2020, up 16% compared to the same period last year.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has caused a rapid shift to online shopping boosting demand for plastic packaging, which represents more than one-third of total plastic demand, said a new a BofA Global Research report.

Sparrows Group has signed a long-term partnership agreement to become the sole original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service provider for market leading machine construction company JD Neuhaus Group (JDN) in the Middle East.

Mastercard has launched a new low-cost payments solution that enables small business owners to move their businesses online and accept a range of digital payments from their customers.

Some 95% of Saudi Arabian organisations have experienced a business-impacting cyberattack in the past 12 months, according to Tenable, a Cyber Exposure company.

Shell Catalysts & Technologies (SC&T) has successfully completed the expansion of its Port Allen, Louisiana plant in the United States, doubling its capacity to produce precipitated alumina powder.

$2.39bn INCOME
Bahrain’s ministries and government agencies have indicated a revenue of BD910 million ($2.39 billion) during the first half of the year (H1), a decrease of 29% in comparison to the same period last year, according to a new report.

Sabic, a multinational chemical manufacturing company, said that its revenue for the second quarter reached SR24.62 billion ($6.57 billion), representing a decrease of 18% compared to the previous quarter and a 29% decrease year-on-year.

Dubai Exports has been shortlisted for the World Trade Promotion Organisations Awards (WTPO Awards 2020) by the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations.

CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, the first overseas greenfield project of Cosco Shipping Ports Limited (CSP), has announced the start of a direct, weekly service to several ports across Europe and the Indian Subcontinent.