Business
Focus On The 3 Leading Arab Economies In 2021
Arab countries have prominent positions in the global economy, not only as providers of oil and petroleum-derived products but also as top-world investors in high-tech companies. The future of the global economy is going to change following the trends from regional economies.
Currently, Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) of $701.5 billion in 2020 makes market experts feel confident in forecasting a continuation of the trend with numbers reaching over $800 billion by the end of 2021.
The Wealthiest Economies In The MENA Region
A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in April 2021, revealed that UAE’s GDP is projected to overtake Egypt by the end of 2021. This would put the UAE’s total GDP in the second position on the list of the leading economies of the MENA region. The projection estimates an increase from $354.3 billion in 2020 to $401.5 billion in 2021.
Egypt is expected to take the third position in the region with GDP estimated to grow to $394.3 billion in 2021. This is a significant increase from $361.8 billion in 2020. Iraq will maintain its position on the fourth spot with an estimated GDP of $190.7 billion in 2021, compared to $197.12 billion in 2020.
The fifth position in the list of the leading economies in the MENA region is Qatar. This country won’t step up the ranking position from last year despite its GDP increasing from $146.1 billion in 2020 to $166 billion in 2021. Although Qatar will stay in the same position on the list this year, it still maintains one of the highest GDP per capita in the region. That is due to low population density along with a high economic output relative to the physical size of the country.
Trends in MENA’s Largest Economies
Arab Financials provides updates and analysis of the most recent economic news in the Middle East. Analysis and comparison of historic trends in the region can offer many insights into possible future results.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands out in the MENA region for its significant efforts in boosting digital transformation activities. The best examples of this are the move towards more digitally accessible government and financial services. The political reforms of the Kingdom focus on efforts to grow globally competitive industries. The focus has been on telecommunication, automation, technology, and financial services but there are plans to expand into other industries as well. Saudi Arabia’s government decided to make large investments in non-oil sectors in the second half of 2020. This is a trend that will continue in 2021 and the future. However, per-capita growth of the Kingdom’s GDP is below the past levels: $23,300 in 2019 to $22,700 in 2021. Unemployment levels have dramatically declined from 2019 to 2021 which should cause more significant per-capita GDP growth in the future.
In general, Saudi Arabia’s economy appears to be flourishing. It is well-supported by both the government and private sectors in key industries such as banking/financial services, high-tech innovations, cryptocurrency services, and internet security.
United Arab Emirates
According to the IMF, the Emirates’ real GDP might grow by 3.1% in 2021, after the “black” period of the pandemic. Also, the UAE’s per capita GDP numbers look to be on the right path to reach $35,200 in 2021; up from $ 31,900 in 2020. It is important to note that the pre-pandemic levels were still higher than the actual forecast ($39,200 in 2019).
Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF, reveals that the UAE’s economy reacted excellently to the pandemic bringing positive consequences on the GDP growth. Also, Mr. Azour notes that the Emirates’ economy is focusing on developing the technology sectors in order to diversify the local economic pattern and, at the same time, to boost recovery after the pandemic.
Egypt
The economic reforms of 2016 helped Egypt maintain a balance between national spending and financial sustainability during the pandemic. The IMF expects Egypt’s economy to grow its GDP by 2.8%, though there’s still a margin of uncertainty behind these expectations. The current public debt of the country combined with the fiscal needs could impede Egypt from reaching the expected GDP growth level. Egypt has allocated $6.13 billion (corresponding to 1.8% of its GDP) to assist recovery post pandemic. The government adopted several measures to support workers, especially in the most pandemic-impacted sectors.
Within this framework, Egypt’s GDP per capita will continue its positive trend by an increase of 6.8% in 2021.
These three Arab countries not only represent the fast-growing side of the MENA region, though they also stand for the potential future leading economies of the world. Many questions remain on the specifics of recovery, but the region, as a whole, appears to be poised for growth.
Business
PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.
(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.
This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.
Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.
Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.
The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.
Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.
Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.
The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.
Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.
Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.
Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.
Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.
Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”
Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.
The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.
Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.
The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.
Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”
Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.
The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.
Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.
The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:
SOURCE: CNBC
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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
Business
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.
This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.
For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.
This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.
Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”
This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.
This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.
Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.
Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.
Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.
This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.
It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.
Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”
This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.
We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.
Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.
SOURCE: THBL
SEE ALSO:
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children
Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight
Business
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.
According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
SOURCE | AP
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