Latest news with #BD
Arab Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
From Dubai to Doha to Kuwait: Where Do Expats Save the Most? The Answer May Surprise You
KUWAIT CITY, May 31: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain—have long been magnets for expatriates seeking tax-free income and better financial prospects. But when it comes to actual savings potential, not all GCC countries offer the same return on effort. GCC: A Remittance Powerhouse for Expats In 2024, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continued to be significant sources of global remittances. Saudi Arabia experienced a notable increase, with expatriate remittances reaching SR144.2 billion ($38.45 billion), marking a 14% rise from the previous year and the highest in three years. Conversely, the United Arab Emirates saw a slight decline in remittance outflows, totaling $38.5 billion, a nearly 3% decrease from 2023. Savings vs Cost While UAE and Saudi Arabia boast massive expat populations and robust economies, the high cost of living in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and increasingly, Riyadh, can significantly erode disposable income. Smaller GCC nations like Kuwait and Oman, while sending lower total remittances, may provide expats with greater per-capita savings opportunities. Top Contenders for Expat Savings 1. Kuwait: The Silent Saver Kuwait stands out for its mix of high, tax-free salaries (especially in oil, healthcare, and engineering sectors) and a relatively lower cost of living compared to the likes of the UAE or Qatar. International studies such as Mercer's Cost of Living Survey have repeatedly placed Kuwait as one of the more affordable GCC nations for expats, particularly when it comes to housing outside prime areas. This favorable balance allows many expats, particularly from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan, to remit substantial portions of their income. For many, Kuwait's restrained entertainment and lifestyle options actually encourage stronger saving discipline. 2. Oman: Affordability Meets Quality of Life Oman consistently ranks as the most cost-effective GCC nation, according to recent indices like Numbeo's 2025 World Cost of Living Index. While salaries may be lower than in Qatar or the UAE, the drastically reduced living expenses, especially for rent and daily necessities, mean expats can still save significantly, especially if they avoid lifestyle inflation. Additionally, Oman is praised for offering a high quality of life, safety, and a calmer environment—factors that also contribute to a more budget-conscious lifestyle. 3. Bahrain: Balanced and Budget-Friendly Though often overshadowed by its larger neighbors, Bahrain punches above its weight with a strong financial sector, moderate salaries, and a noticeably lower cost of living. Remittance data reveals consistent growth. In the first nine months of 2024, foreign workers in Bahrain remitted a total of BD 726.9 million, marking a 1.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This dip occurred despite a growing expatriate workforce, which surpassed 631,000 by mid-2024. Factors such as global economic uncertainties and rising living costs may have influenced this trend, according to Gulf Press. For expats working in finance or industry and living frugally, Bahrain presents a compelling savings environment. Bahrain's remittance landscape in 2024 presents a nuanced picture. While overall remittance outflows experienced a slight decline, the nation's financial sector remains robust, offering expatriates a conducive environment for savings. Countries with High Salaries, But Hidden Pitfalls UAE and Qatar regularly rank among the top for gross salaries. Dubai and Doha attract professionals in finance, tech, and real estate with lucrative packages. However, high living costs—especially in housing, schooling, and entertainment—often neutralize those advantages. Without disciplined budgeting, many expats find their high earnings quickly consumed. Saudi Arabia, once a haven for savings, is undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030. While opportunities and salaries have increased, especially in construction, engineering, and management, the cost of living in Riyadh and Jeddah is climbing just as fast. Reports even suggest that in some cases, rents and school fees now rival or surpass those in Dubai. The Role of Nationality and Sector Expat income and savings potential vary widely depending on profession and nationality. Western expats in senior roles often earn significantly more than their South Asian or Arab counterparts in similar positions. Fields like oil & gas, healthcare, and IT offer the highest disposable income across all GCC countries. The GCC's Best Bet for Savers If maximizing savings is the goal, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain emerge as the most favorable destinations for expats. These countries strike the right balance between competitive salaries and manageable living costs. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia continue to offer unmatched opportunities for career advancement and high incomes, but expats must navigate rising expenses carefully. At the end of the day, savings in the GCC aren't just about how much you earn—it's about how much you keep.
Biz Bahrain
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Biz Bahrain
Seef Entertainment Launches Exciting Eidyeah Packages and Offers for Eid Al Adha
Seef Entertainment, the leading family entertainment company in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the entertainment arm of Seef Properties, is joining citizens, residents and visitors in celebrating Eid Al Adha with exclusive Eidyeah packages and exceptional experiences at its top destinations: Yabeela, Magic Island, Hawa, and Jumpoline, from June 6 to 14, 2025. This year's Eidyeah Packages include generous bonus credits on game cards of up to BD 15, giving guests more opportunities to enjoy a wide range of games and exhilarating experiences in a joyful and festive atmosphere. At Yabeela, located in Al Liwan, the first package offers an additional BD 15 in credit when topping up a game card with BD 35, giving guests a total balance of BD 50. The second package provides BD 6 in bonus credit with a BD 20 top-up, for a total of BD 26. At Magic Island, guests receive BD 10 in extra credit when topping up with BD 25, bringing the total to BD 35. A second package gives BD 4.5 in bonus credit with a BD 15 top-up, for a total of BD 19.5. These special offers reflect Seef Entertainment's commitment to sharing the joy of Eid Al Adha with the Bahraini community by delivering the best family entertainment experiences and reaffirming its position as the Kingdom's top entertainment destination. On this occasion, Mr. Ahmed Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of Seef Properties, stated: 'We are delighted to celebrate Eid Al Adha with our valued visitors by offering a variety of exciting entertainment promotions and exceptional Eidyeah packages across all our centres. Our goal is to create unforgettable moments for the entire family and reinforce Seef Entertainment's leadership as Bahrain's premier entertainment destination.' He added: 'We are always committed to providing unique entertainment experiences that cater to all age groups. Through these offers, we aim to spread joy and happiness among our guests during the Eid holidays.' Seef Entertainment invites all guests to take advantage of these special offers and enjoy exceptional moments of fun, excitement, and adventure with family and friends—creating cherished memories in a safe and thrilling environment. Discover the Top Seef Entertainment Destinations: Yabeela – Bahrain's Largest Indoor Entertainment Centre Spanning 6,000 square metres, Yabeela offers thrilling, family-friendly interactive experiences, including games inspired by Bahraini heritage such as Al Dawama and the Tree of Life. It's the perfect spot for families seeking safe, modern, and engaging fun.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Seef Entertainment launches Eidyeah packages and offers for Eid Al Adha
Seef Entertainment, the leading family entertainment company in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the entertainment arm of Seef Properties, is joining citizens, residents and visitors in celebrating Eid Al Adha with exclusive Eidyeah packages and exceptional experiences at its top destinations: Yabeela, Magic Island, Hawa, and Jumpoline, from June 6 to 14. This year's Eidyeah Packages include generous bonus credits on game cards of up to BD 15, giving guests more opportunities to enjoy a wide range of games and exhilarating experiences in a joyful and festive atmosphere. At Yabeela, located in Al Liwan, the first package offers an additional BD 15 in credit when topping up a game card with BD 35, giving guests a total balance of BD 50. The second package provides BD 6 in bonus credit with a BD 20 top-up, for a total of BD 26. At Magic Island, guests receive BD 10 in extra credit when topping up with BD 25, bringing the total to BD 35. A second package gives BD 4.5 in bonus credit with a BD 15 top-up, for a total of BD 19.5. Sharing joy These special offers reflect Seef Entertainment's commitment to sharing the joy of Eid Al Adha with the Bahraini community by delivering the best family entertainment experiences and reaffirming its position as the Kingdom's top entertainment destination. On this occasion, Ahmed Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of Seef Properties, stated: 'We are delighted to celebrate Eid Al Adha with our valued visitors by offering a variety of exciting entertainment promotions and exceptional Eidyeah packages across all our centres. Our goal is to create unforgettable moments for the entire family and reinforce Seef Entertainment's leadership as Bahrain's premier entertainment destination.' He added: 'We are always committed to providing unique entertainment experiences that cater to all age groups. Through these offers, we aim to spread joy and happiness among our guests during the Eid holidays.' Seef Entertainment invites all guests to take advantage of these special offers and enjoy exceptional moments of fun, excitement, and adventure with family and friends—creating cherished memories in a safe and thrilling environment. Attractions Seef Entertainment's premier attractions include: Yabeela, the kingdom's largest indoor entertainment center, spans 6,000 sqm with interactive games inspired by Bahraini heritage, including Al Dawama and the Tree of Life. At Magic Island, visitors can explore over 100 games across six themed zones, blending classic and modern amusements in a vibrant indoor setting. For high-energy fun, Hawa— Bahrain's biggest inflatable park—delivers endless bouncing excitement, while Jumpoline in Seef Mall – Isa Town features trampolines, climbing zones, and active games for all ages.
Syyaha
2 days ago
- Business
- Syyaha
BD collaborates with General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care at the Ministry of Health, and Innovative Insights on Hospital Pharmacy Practice (IHOP) to host Connected Medication Management Roadshow in Riyadh
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 29, 2025 – The Saudi entity of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology organization, in collaboration with the General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care at the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia and IHOP successfully hosted today the Connected Medication Management (CMM) Roadshow in Riyadh. The event brought together healthcare leaders and professionals to discuss innovative medication management strategies, with a focus on enhancing patient safety, improving workflow efficiency, and supporting healthcare worker safety. Opening Keynotes from Dr. Mohammed Alshennawi, General Director, General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care at the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, and Wassim Mohsen, BD's Business Director, Medication Management Solutions for Middle East and Africa set the tone for an insightful day centred on critical topics including interoperability and connected medication management. The roadshow also featured a series of insightful presentations from esteemed healthcare professionals across the Kingdom. Dr. Abdulwahhab AlShammari, Assistant Professor of Health Informatics at KSAU-HS, who presented on the impact of AI in healthcare and transforming patient outcomes. Dr. Abdullah AlShehry, Director of Pharmacy at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh who shared a success story on implementing pharmacy automation and its role in achieving operational excellence. Additionally, Dr. Hisham Momattin, Corporate Pharmacy Director at Al Mouwasat Hospital, presented insights on optimizing outpatient pharmacy workflows to improve patient outcomes in the outpatient set up. Dr. Afnan Almordi, Head of project Management and Pharmacy Informatics Section, General Administration of Pharmaceutical care at the Ministry of Health, elaborated more on the integration of pharmacy informatics in everyday pharmacy practice. Finally, Dr. Maher Mominah, Pharmacy Informatics and Automation Manager at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, who shared his extensive experience in navigating the complexities of pharmacy automation. Reflecting on the importance of the event, Dr. Mohammed Alshennawi commented, 'Connected medication management is a critical component of Saudi Arabia's healthcare transformation. Events like these are platforms for us to engage and share best practices and drive innovation in patient care, ultimately supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030.' Maher Elhassan, Vice President and General Manager, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) at BD, added, 'The CMM Roadshow is a testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia by leveraging digital solutions to improve patient safety and operational efficiency. We are proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to create a smarter, more connected healthcare ecosystem.' Omar Malabarey, Country General Manager, BD Saudi Arabia, remarked, 'As healthcare systems evolve, it is crucial to integrate cutting-edge technologies that are safer, simpler and smarter. The CMM Roadshow reflects BD's commitment to supporting this transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' The event also featured interactive workshops on critical topics, including medication safety, automated dispensing, and the future of pharmacy automation, providing attendees with practical insights and hands-on experience.
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
BD to Initiate Real-World Patient Data Registry for the Rotarex™ Atherectomy System in Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced plans to initiate a patient data registry for the Rotarex™ Atherectomy System to measure real-world outcomes for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Known as 'XTRACT,' this prospective, multi-center, single-arm, post-market registry study will assess the clinical performance of the Rotarex™ Atherectomy System in the treatment of U.S. patients with PAD lesions. The XTRACT Registry is being led in partnership with Co-Principal Investigators, Dr. Prakash Krishnan, an interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Todd Berland, a vascular surgeon. The registry will enroll up to 600 patients at approximately 100 clinical sites across the United States, with the first patient enrollment expected later this year. Clinical follow-up evaluations will occur after 30 days, 6 months and 12 months post-procedure to assess safety and effectiveness of outcomes. 'This registry will provide valuable data to support clinical decision-making and enhance patient outcomes in the management of PAD,' said Dr. Krishnan. 'The Rotarex™ System has been extensively studied internationally, and we are excited to further evaluate its adaptability in treating a wide range of PAD lesions within the U.S. patient population.' The Rotarex™ Atherectomy System is a minimally invasive solution designed to efficiently remove both plaque and thrombus in peripheral arteries. Offering dual indications as both an atherectomy and thrombectomy device, the Rotarex™ Atherectomy System is a proven tool for treating PAD. 'The XTRACT Registry is the first comprehensive registry aimed at providing key insights into the real-world applications of the Rotarex™ System,' said Rima Alameddine, worldwide president of BD Interventional-Peripheral Intervention. 'This study underscores our unwavering commitment to optimizing treatment strategies in partnership with leading physicians to improve patient care.' PAD is a potentially debilitating disease that is estimated to affect more than 21 million Americans and more than 200 million people worldwide and can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular complications and lower limb amputation.1,2 The XTRACT Registry underscores BD's ongoing commitment to innovative technological development and evidence-based research that support physicians and improve patient outcomes. About BDBD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its more than 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit or connect with us on LinkedIn at X (formerly Twitter) @BDandCo or Instagram @becton_dickinson. Contacts: Media: Investors: Troy Kirkpatrick Adam Reiffe BD Public Relations BD Investor Relations 858.617.2361 201.847.6927 1 Yost, Mary. The Current U.S. Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease. Vascular Disease Management. 2023;20(4):E67-E732 Allison MA, Armstrong DG, Goodney PP, et al. Health Disparities in Peripheral Artery Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148:286-296. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001153
