Energy Oil’s share of energy demand dips below 30% for first time Oil’s share of the global energy mix has hit a historic low, dipping below 30 percent of demand for the first time as renewables and electric vehicles reshape markets, according to the International Energy Agency. The IEA’s Global Energy Review 2025 reveals that energy demand rose by 2.2 percent last year, outpacing the average yearly […] March 26, 2025
Analysis Banking & Finance Caution advised over upsurge in Kuwaiti bank shares Shares in Kuwaiti banks are hitting new highs as investors bet on a long-mooted change in the law on mortgages coming into force soon and spurring a boom in property financing. However, analysts are warning that the sector’s equity rally may prove unjustified, with any earnings windfall unlikely to be as substantial as those enjoyed […] March 26, 2025
Tax Bahrain approves environmental tax on companies Bahrain is to become the first country in the Arabian Gulf to introduce an environmental tax on companies as the island state struggles to rein in a growing budget deficit and bring government finances under control. The government of the region’s smallest nation by population has approved in principle a levy on carbon dioxide emissions […] March 26, 2025
OpiniontradeTo understand China’s economic presence in the Middle East, look to the UAEJonathan Fulton, associate professor, Zayed University
OpinionFOOD & DRINKRamadan is reshaping demand for traditional foods, bulk buying and sustainable practicesAylin Siyahhan, consultant, Euromonitor International
OpinionTRADEIn Trump’s America, the Gulf sees a partner who speaks their language on almost every topicFrank Kane, Editor-at-Large
Agriculture ‘Unprecedented’ cold weather hammers Turkey’s citrus crops Sharp frosts in important agricultural districts in Turkey’s south have wrought havoc on citrus production, with some regions reporting losses of up to 80 percent. Long-term damage to plantations is adding to the problems of an industry already struggling with climate change. Temperatures fell well below zero over a series of nights in the normally […]
EXCLUSIVE Giga-projects PIF spending cuts slow giga-projects and trigger layoffs Saudi Arabia’s $925 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF) has ordered deep spending cuts across more than 100 of its companies, slowing projects and triggering layoffs, people familiar with the matter have told AGBI. The sovereign wealth fund at the heart of the government’s economic transformation strategy is mandating a minimum 20 percent reduction in 2025 […]
Aviation Narrow-body aircraft to push growth of Middle East fleets Gulf Arab airlines and other Middle East carriers will expand their fleets at almost double the rate of the global average over the next ten years, industry experts say. They will also increase the share of narrow-body planes over twin-aisle aircraft. Globally, fleet size is expected grow by 2.8 percent per year over the next […]
Analysis Renewable Energy Shortage of ‘bankable’ green energy projects stymies investment While the Middle East has seen a surge in sustainable finance initiatives, investors are struggling to find commercially viable energy projects to invest in. This is particularly the case in developing nations, according to industry experts. The financial sector in the UAE has pledged to “mobilise” AED1 trillion ($272 billion) in sustainable finance by 2030. […]
Economy Turkish political uncertainty casts economic cloud The detention of a leading opposition figure in Turkey just days before he was to be named as a candidate in presidential elections is likely to set back the country’s campaign against sky-high interest rates and persistent inflation, analysts have warned. Ekram İmamoğlu, the mayor of İstanbul and leading member of the opposition Republican People’s […]
Opinion Trade UAE sharpens focus on China for business growth The relationship between the two countries is China's most robust in the Middle East March 26, 2025
Finance Adia-backed London insurer seeks funds for growth Ardonagh Group, a British insurance group backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), is reportedly close to raising $2.5 billion to fund its expansion. The London-based company will also use the funds for potential acquisitions, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. In December 2024, Adia and US private equity Stone Point Capital announced an investment in […] March 26, 2025
Logistics ADX-listed Agility targets $130m dividend payout Logistics company Agility Global has proposed a final dividend of $65 million for 2024, taking the total payout to $130 million, reflecting a healthy growth in earnings last year. The company paid a $65 million dividend in December 2024, with a further $65 million set to be approved at the upcoming general assembly for approval, […] March 26, 2025
Renewable Energy Masdar weighs IPO on Abu Dhabi stock exchange Abu Dhabi’s state-owned renewables company Masdar is in the early stages of considering an initial public offering (IPO), three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The company is considering a possible listing in Abu Dhabi to raise funding for renewable projects, said two of the sources, with one of them saying a dual […] March 26, 2025
Tourism Abu Dhabi’s Adia buys stake in European Camping Group The UAE’s sovereign fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) has agreed to buy a significant minority stake in European Camping Group (ECG), a key player in the European outdoor hospitality sector, from private equity company PAI Partners. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of this year, is subject to regulatory approvals, ECG […] March 25, 2025
Transport Tesla to launch in Saudi Arabia next month Tesla is due to launch in Saudi Arabia on April 10, with a special event at the Bujairi Terrace in Riyadh to show off its products, including its autonomous driving Cybercab and Optimus, its humanoid robot. Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company is currently facing slowing sales and rising competition from cheaper Chinese rivals in key […] March 26, 2025
Renewable Energy Aramco buys 50% of local blue hydrogen producer Saudi Aramco has purchased a 50 percent stake in a low-carbon hydrogen production plant in Jubail, a city on the Gulf, owned by a unit of the Saudi Arabia-based company Air Products Qudra (APQ). The stake buyout will enable Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company (BHIG), a wholly owned subsidiary of APQ, to provide blue hydrogen […] March 26, 2025
Analysis Banking & Finance Riyadh’s financial ambitions bump up against hard reality Saudi Arabia wants to emulate London or Hong Kong in the international money markets and become a global financial centre, Saudi investment minister Khalid Al-Falih said at a capital markets conference in Riyadh in February. “We need to channel global capital,” he said. “We want to become a regional financial hub.” But judging by the […] March 26, 2025
Oil & Gas Aramco looks at China’s potential growth sectors Saudi Aramco is exploring new opportunities in China’s energy, chemicals and technology sectors, president and CEO Amin Nasser has said. China occupies a key position in Aramco’s global strategy, he told the China Development Forum in Beijing on Monday. The Saudi-listed company is supporting China’s energy and chemical feedstock security by investing in multiple downstream projects, Nasser […] March 25, 2025
Finance Umm Al Qura shares soar as more Saudi IPOs approved Shares in Saudi Arabia’s Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction surged 30 percent on Monday, the maximum allowed on a first day of trading. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) also approved another three companies for initial public offerings. Within minutes of the opening of the Saudi Exchange, after Umm Al Qura raised SAR1.96 billion […] March 25, 2025
Analysis Finance Cheque ban and banking changes endanger Tunisian growth Reforms aimed at reducing Tunisians’ usage of cheques and thereby cutting consumer debt are having a negative impact on the country’s overall economic growth, according to economists. Cheques had until recently been an important tool for both payments and credit in Tunisia, but in February new laws aimed at strengthening the ailing Tunisian economy and […] March 26, 2025
Economy Kuwait endorses 2025-26 budget with bigger deficit Kuwait has endorsed its budget for the next fiscal year 2025-26 with a higher deficit because of lower expected oil income. An emiri decree published in the official gazette set allocations for ministries and other government offices for the budget which starts on April 1. Spending was put at KD24.5 billion ($80.8 billion) and the […] March 25, 2025
Trade Oman’s exports rise after Duqm refinery comes online Oman’s exports grew last year as a result of a sharp increase in oil refining production after the Duqm Refinery became operational, official figures show. Export of refined products almost trebled last year after the start-up of the $9 billion Duqm Refinery, a joint venture between the Omani government-owned OQ and Kuwait Petroleum International, a […] March 26, 2025
Aviation Qatar airport expansion boosts capacity to 65 million Qatar’s Hamad International Airport’s annual passenger capacity has reached 65 million passengers, following an expansion plan started in 2018. The terminal area has expanded by 14 percent to cover 845,000sqm, adding 17 new boarding gates to reach 62, the Government Communications Office said in a statement. The new concourses (D and E) will boost flight […] March 21, 2025
Renewable Energy Tunisia awards solar power projects to international companies Tunisia has awarded four new solar power projects to international companies for the production of 500 megawatts of electricity as part of a drive to expand the share of renewable energy in its mix. Tunisia’s industry, mines and energy minister Fatima Chiboub signed the deals this week with representatives from Germany’s Qair Group, Norway’s Scatec, […] March 25, 2025
Oil & Gas QatarEnergy selects India’s L&T for gas project A subsidiary of state-owned QatarEnergy has reportedly awarded an engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract to India’s Larsen & Toubro for the second phase of the North Field Production Sustainability (NFPS) project. Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon received a letter of intent from QatarEnergy LNG for the work, which has an estimated value of $4 […] March 25, 2025
Banking & Finance Gulf Bank to pay dividend despite profit fall Shareholders of Gulf Bank, which trades on the Kuwaiti stock exchange, have approved the payment of an annual dividend and bonus shares for 2024 despite a drop in profit for the year. Shareholders on April 10 will be entitled to 10 percent cash dividends and 5 percent bonus shares, the lender said in a statement. […] March 24, 2025
Industry China’s GWM to build its first car plant in Algeria Great Wall Motor (GWM), one of China’s 10 biggest car manufacturers, plans to build its first factory in Algeria, joining others in the country including Fiat, Peugeot and Kia. GWM will build the car assembly plant as a joint venture with an Algerian partner, Elkhabar newspaper and other Algerian publications reported, without identifying the partner. A […] March 21, 2025
Finance UAE banks back Turkey Wealth Fund’s $1.2bn loan State-backed Turkey Wealth Fund has secured its first loan without a treasury guarantee, backed by UAE-listed banks, a local newspaper reported. The sovereign fund raised €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) two-year syndicated loan from 20 banks from 12 countries, Daily Sabah reported. The interest rate was set at Euro interbank offered rate, plus 2 percent annually for […] March 26, 2025
Agriculture ‘Unprecedented’ cold weather hammers Turkey’s citrus crops Sharp frosts in important agricultural districts in Turkey’s south have wrought havoc on citrus production, with some regions reporting losses of up to 80 percent. Long-term damage to plantations is adding to the problems of an industry already struggling with climate change. Temperatures fell well below zero over a series of nights in the normally […] March 25, 2025
Analysis Finance Turkish political turmoil risks undermining US investor appetite Last week’s arrest of the mayor of Istanbul and resulting political unrest in Turkey’s financial capital may cool US companies’ interest in doing business in the country, industry observers say. Ekrem İmamoğlu, a popular opposition figure who had been gearing up to run in the 2028 presidential election, was detained last Wednesday on charges of […] March 25, 2025
Economy Regulators take action to stabilise Turkish markets after arrests Efforts by Turkish regulators to stabilise the country’s money markets, which were thrown into turmoil by the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul last week, appear to be having some effect, with losses on the country’s stock market narrowing. Markets were rocked and political unrest ensued after the arrest and detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a […] March 24, 2025
Finance Turkey central bank rate hike fails to calm nervous markets Turkey’s central bank has raised its overnight lending rate, a move designed to tighten liquidity and reassure markets it is prepared to intervene in response to financial instability stemming from the arrest this week of a leading political opposition figure. The move has so far failed to settle the markets. The detention of İstanbul mayor Ekram […] March 21, 2025
Economy Egypt’s deficit stretched by high imports and regional tension Egypt’s current account deficit more than doubled in the first quarter of the current fiscal year and the gap is expected to widen further, a Kuwaiti bank says. Key factors for the massive deficit include a surge in imports and lower Suez Canal revenues due to regional tensions, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) said in […] March 26, 2025
Aviation Egypt partners with IFC for airport privatisation Egypt’s civil aviation ministry has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to introduce public private partnerships (PPP) at 11 airports, in a bit to improve infrastructure, connectivity and passenger services. As a pilot project, the IFC, a member of the World Bank, will act as the lead PPP transaction adviser for Hurghada International Airport, […] March 25, 2025
Energy Orascom wins $2.6bn contract for Saudi power plant A consortium comprising Egypt-listed Orascom Construction and Spain’s Técnicas Reunidas has signed a contract to build a 3 gigawatt gas-fired power plant in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The consortium signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract worth around $2.6 billion for expanding the Qurayyah independent power project, Orascom said in a statement on Monday. In […] March 24, 2025
Manufacturing China to invest in solar panel glass production in Egypt A Chinese company will reportedly invest $700 million to establish a solar panel glass manufacturing facility in Egypt. Hong Kong-listed Xinyi Glass will develop the project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone in two phases, the Egypt Today newspaper reported. The facility is expected to produce 1.5 million tonnes of solar panel glass and 1.1 […] March 21, 2025
Markets Cairo bank EFG to list its buy-now, pay-later unit Egypt’s EFG Holding will list its buy-now, pay-later subsidiary on the Egyptian stock exchange as part of a restructuring process, the bank has announced. As part of the restructuring plan, the Cairo-listed investment bank intends to pay its 2024 profit by distributing a 20.5 percent stake in U Consumer Finance, known by its brand name, […] March 20, 2025
Markets High hopes for Kuwait reforms lift its stock market Kuwait’s stock market is the Gulf’s top performer this year as local and foreign investors bet that economic reforms and increased infrastructure spending will bolster corporate profits. Investors seem more confident Kuwait will make good on its long-awaited plans following the suspension of parliament last May. Parliament and the government were often at loggerheads, derailing […]
SPECIAL REPORT Trade Bolstering Egypt’s trade with Africa Egypt's portfolio of multilateral trade deals includes the largest continental free trade agreement in the world. We look at how it can do more business in Africa – a market of 1.5 billion people In association with
Analysis Oil & Gas Final kink obstructs reopening of Iraq-Turkey pipeline Iraq’s oil pipeline through Turkey – which has been closed for two years – is not just a pipeline. It raises a cornucopia of issues: declining Russian oil exports to Turkey, US pressure on Iraq to stop illicit Iraqi oil exports to Iran, peace with the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in eastern Turkey, how […]
Analysis Finance Growth-stage investment heats up as Gulf IPOs gain traction Global investors are increasingly vying for stakes in later-stage Gulf startups, betting on the region’s economic expansion and stronger exit opportunities, as the regional IPO markets gain momentum. The region, long overlooked for growth-stage capital – minority investments in established companies aimed at accelerating expansion – is witnessing a surge of interest from giants such […]
Analysis Employment Barriers remain high for women seeking jobs in the Middle East A “shocking” lack of care facilities for the elderly, few options for childcare, unsafe transport and poor access to credit all combine to make it hard for even highly educated women in the Middle East and North Africa to progress in their careers. That is the belief of Hela Cheikhrouhou, a senior official with the […]
Employment Kuwaitis earn nearly five times as much as expats Kuwaiti nationals earn nearly five times as much as their expatriate colleagues, and more than four in every five Kuwaitis work for the government, data from the Central Statistics Administration has revealed. Of 450,000 working Kuwaitis at the end of September, 375,000, or 83 percent, were in the public sector, with the remainder in the […]
Analysis Leisure & Hospitality Gulf hotel owners switch to franchises in search of profits Hotel owners in the Gulf are increasingly choosing franchise agreements with international hotel brands over the less profitable direct management route, industry experts and analysts say. This is especially true in the UAE and Saudi Arabia where the hotel industry is maturing and hotel owners know their business better, driving them to manage their own […]
Analysis Aviation Saudia ‘still a flag carrier’ ahead of Riyadh Air launch Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier Saudia is upgrading its fleet with new Boeing and Airbus aircraft even as the government prepares to start a new airline later this year. The 80-year-old carrier has 118 aircraft on order, most of which will replace older models in its existing fleet of 147, and are scheduled to arrive through […]
Opinion Aviation Schedule shift signals a busy summer for Middle East airlines As airlines prepare to switch timetables, the Gulf looks set for growth, new routes and cautious optimism
Analysis Tax Bahrain considers raising taxes to reduce deficits Bahrain’s plan to end a long string of government budget deficits could prove burdensome to both businesses and people as it considers a raft of tax measures. The country is discussing a 12-point plan for its two-year budget, with measures including the introduction of a wider corporate tax, an increase in value added tax (VAT) […]
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality Sotheby’s first Saudi auction: a test of Gulf’s market potential The 150 lots will feature everything from Picasso to Hermès handbags, at prices up to $1.5m
Analysis Employment UAE and Kuwait companies struggling to hire staff Companies in the UAE and Kuwait are struggling to afford new staff as a result of squeezed margins, according to the latest business sentiment survey. For the third successive month, non-oil companies operating in the UAE highlighted a reduction in prices charged, with discounting used to support sales amid a highly competitive market. This was […]
Real Estate Jumeirah Village Circle: ‘Where the normal people live’ It might not have the glamour of the Palm but JVC has its own enduring appeal and was Dubai's busiest location for ready-home sales in 2024
Oil & Gas Opec+ hesitant on oil output rise amid US sanctions Opec+ is debating whether to raise oil output in April as planned or freeze it, as its members struggle to read the global supply picture because of fresh US sanctions on Venezuela, Iran and Russia, eight Opec+ sources said. Opec+ usually confirms its supply policy one month in advance to have time to allocate crude […]
Agriculture UAE’s Aqua Bridge to build aquaculture farm in India A UAE aquaculture company linked to the ruling Al-Maktoum family of Dubai has agreed to develop an aquaculture farm and research centre in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh at an initial cost of $461 million. Aqua Bridge Group, whose chairman is Sheikh Ahmed bin Mana bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum, said the partnership project in the […]
Trade InvestSaudi to open second US office in Miami Saudi Arabia’s investment promotion authority, InvestSaudi, will establish its second office in the United States in Miami to target flows to and from North and South America. Khalid A. Al-Falih, the Saudi investment minister, made the announcement on Thursday at the Future Investment Initiative summit in the South Florida city. “By selecting Miami as our […]
Oil & Gas Brazil joins Opec+ oil producers’ group Brazil, the largest oil producer in South America, has officially joined the Opec+ group of more than 20 countries that attempts to manage global oil output. The participation formalises an initial announcement in November 2023, a statement by Opec said. Brazil’s membership will be limited to the Opec+ Charter of Cooperation, a permanent forum between […]
