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India is a land of diverse opportunities. The country has a rich history and is home to a wide range of cultures, religions, and languages. India is also the world's second most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people. Despite its vast size and population, India is sometimes overlooked as an investment destination.

Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a dramatic transformation. For years, the country has been working to wean itself off its dependence on oil revenue while building up other sectors of the economy in the process. The results have been impressive, with new industries emerging across the country. These industries are addressing demographic needs and driving growth, making Saudi Arabia an increasingly important player in the global economy.

Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing rapid growth in its construction industry. The government has invested heavily in large-scale projects that are designed to further diversify the nation’s economy, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for Saudi citizens. These include developing alternative sources of energy, constructing new cities and public transportation systems, and building entirely new cities designed to break away from traditional urban planning and zoning.

When the Saudi government developed their national transformation plan, one of its primary goals was to create an environment that would encourage the growth of the real estate industry in Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 outlined various ways this could be achieved, one of which was their goal to build 300,000 new housing units over the next five years. Over 106,000 new housing units have already been constructed, with a further 101,000 currently under construction. This investment has injected much-needed diversity into the current housing stock, creating a surge of new jobs in construction and related industries such as architecture.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) published its e-invoicing regulations on 4 December 2020, which was also effective from the date of publication. The regulations stipulated that e-invoicing would become mandatory for taxpayers by 4 December 2021. As phase one draws to an end, phase two becomes enforceable from 1 January, 2023 in waves. Taxpayers must ensure they are prepared.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a modern and comprehensive tax system in place, which is constantly evolving to meet the needs of a growing economy. The Saudi Arabian government has been working hard to attract foreign investment and spur economic growth, and as part of this effort has been reforming the tax system.

The Republic of South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources, and well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has made great strides towards developing a more inclusive and prosperous society. The country is now known for its rich and vibrant culture, delicious food, and stunning natural landscapes.

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and has the world’s second-largest proven petroleum reserves. The Saudi economy has historically been dependent on oil revenues, but since 2015 it has been undergoing significant structural reforms to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The Saudi government has ambitious plans to transform the economy and has made considerable progress in recent years through its Saudi Vision 2030 reform program.

Saudi Arabia has a booming construction industry, with numerous high-profile projects underway. The Saudi government is investing heavily in infrastructure development, which is providing a significant boost to the construction sector

Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented transformation not witnessed since the nation first discovered oil. This transformation, which is being driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is called Saudi Vision 2030

Considered the true north — strong and free — Canada is a land of opportunity with much to offer investors. From its abundant natural resources to its thriving economy, Canada is an attractive destination for those looking to go beyond the status quo. Despite America's northern neighbour often being overshadowed by its southern counterpart, Canada is a powerhouse in its own right and should not be overlooked by investors.

The financial services industry is experiencing a seismic shift. Disruptive companies such as Uber and Airbnb have disrupted traditional businesses such as hotel chains and taxi firms with innovative technologies. In the same vein, financial technology (FinTech) startups are shaking up the financial services industry with innovative technologies that are changing how we bank, make payments, and invest.

Policy measures, such as the Saudi Arabian government's commitment to the G20 Sustainable Development Goals, are the first step towards a greener future. However, to realise these goals, businesses need to join the effort and take concrete steps to operationalise sustainability and make it a part of their day-to-day operations.

This article in our ‘Insights into IFRS 8’ series sets out further application issues and information regarding other standards involving operating segments.

The Saudi government's Vision 2030 initiative is well underway, and businesses are starting to feel the effects of economic realignment. While many opportunities have arisen for those who are prepared, there is still a lot of work to be done for the country to reach its goals. Businesses need to start thinking about how they can realign their operations to fit into the new framework.

The GCC IPO market is bucking trends across the U.S. and Europe. Leading the pack is Saudi Arabia, which saw 20 IPOs in 2021 — the highest activity in over 20 years. Investor confidence is high in the region thanks to rising oil revenues and unexpected economic growth. Outpacing IMF predictions, the Saudi economy grew by 9.9% in the first quarter of 2022, representing the highest growth rate in over a decade.