Saudi Telecom Co (STC), the kingdom’s biggest telecom operator, is the most valuable brand in the Middle East, and Emirates is the most valuable brand in the UAE, according to Brand Finance’s Global 500 report.
Etisalat is the only other UAE company to make the list, with Qatar National Bank also making the cut. Released yesterday, Global 500 ranks companies according to monetary value and the power of their brand.
“The brand value of the four companies from the region represented in our 2017 ranking grew on average by 23 per cent year on year, which reflects the scale of their achievements when it comes to driving brand awareness, recognition and advocacy,” said Andrew Campbell, the managing director of Brand Finance Middle East.
“We expect more brands from the Middle East to enter our Global 500 in time as oil prices readjust and companies from the region continue to expand into new geographic markets.”
STC’s brand value rose 11 per cent during last year to US$6.2 billion. Emirates’s brand value was $6.1bn, despite the oil price rout, a strong US dollar and global economic woes affecting travel appetite.
Etisalat, the bigger of the two telecom operators in the UAE, had its brand value increase by 45 per cent last year to $5.5bn, thanks to growing user numbers, innovation and a strong profit last year.
QNB, Qatar’s largest bank by assets, entered the survey for the first time with a brand value of $3.8bn. Its brand value rose by 56 per cent last year, due to its strong financial performance and international expansion.
Globally, Google unseated Apple as the world’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of $109.5bn, which rose 24 per cent last year from a year earlier. Google last held the position of the world’s most valuable brand in 2011.
Apple’s brand value dropped to $107.1bn from $145.9bn.
“Apple has struggled to maintain its technological advantage. New iterations of the iPhone have delivered diminishing returns and there are signs that the company has reached a saturation point for its brand,” Mr Campbell said.
“The Chinese market, where Apple has enjoyed a dominant market share, is becoming far more competitive with local players entering the market in a meaningful way.”
dalsaadi@thenational.ae
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
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- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
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- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture