RIYADH: Business activity in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is poised for stronger momentum in the third quarter of 2026, driven by resilient domestic demand, improving regional trade conditions, and ongoing economic diversification efforts, according to Standard Chartered. In its latest report, the financial institution said the Kingdom entered the second half of the year with solid underlying economic activity despite regional uncertainties, with point-of-sale transactions, a key indicator of consumer spending, rising 6 percent year-on-year in May, returning to levels seen in January.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector expanded at a four-month high in June, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to 53.3 from 52.8, driven by stronger domestic…

Ongoing regional logistics challenges and intensified foreign competition had affected international sales