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Alibaba Cloud has announced plans to expand its data center capacity in the United Arab Emirates and several international markets. Unveiled at the 2026 Apsara Conference in Hangzhou, the initiative aims to meet rising demand for AI workloads and agent-native enterprise applications. The rollout will expand the company's global footprint to 31 regions and 107 availability zones.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has increased initiatives to draw visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong to the Kingdom. The push forms part of Saudi Arabia's plan to direct over $800 billion into its tourism sector to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons. Officials from both sides confirmed commitments to expand cooperation, direct travel links, and trade missions.
Oman Air has announced the launch of a new direct daily service between Muscat and Abu Dhabi starting July 9. The route marks the Omani carrier's 49th destination globally and its tenth destination within the GCC. The service aims to bolster regional connectivity, passenger transit, tourism, and bilateral trade.
A market analysis by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell suggests the UAE's departure from OPEC may not trigger the sharp drop in crude oil prices that many analysts anticipate. Although the UAE accounted for roughly 12% of OPEC output, ongoing geopolitical conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz introduce significant market uncertainties. Future market dynamics will largely depend on how major producers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia respond.
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