What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction? As Syria’s southern neighbor, Jordan is already positioning itself as a logistics hub and diplomatic broker for Syria’s reconstruction. Syria
Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Arabia opens Nomu Parallel Market to new investors: What to know Easing investing rules and deepening capital markets to diversify the Saudi economy are key to fulfilling Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia
UAE showcases global AI ambitions with $1B Africa pledge at G20 The Gulf country is the world's top investor in Africa, with Emirati companies committing $100 billion to projects on the continent between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Financial Times. United Arab Emirates
What’s behind Saudi Public Investment Fund’s $17.2B profit? The sovereign wealth fund’s turnaround following the loss in 2022 is due in large part to the stock market rebounding. Saudi Arabia
Barclays plays down Israel military links as protesters target branches More than 15 branches of the bank across England and Scotland were found with windows smashed and red paint daubed over the buildings as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel as well as from fossil fuel businesses. Palestine
Saudi Arabia joins China, UAE in digital currency project The kingdom is joining the Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements' central bank digital currency platform. Saudi Arabia
Qatar National Bank says GCC banks have more liquidity than global rivals An executive at the Qatari lender said that Gulf countries will have to compete with the rest of the world for billions of dollars in equity to finance infrastructure projects, of which there is a higher demand than supply. Saudi Arabia
Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line. Lebanon
Dubai beats Singapore, London as top city for 'greenfield' FDI projects FDI Markets data, compiled by the Financial Times, found the UAE's financial capital ranked top overall in global "greenfield" FDI projects attracted in 2023. United Arab Emirates
Bahrain's Investcorp, China's CIC launch $1B Sino-Gulf investment platform The companies the fund will target are expected to have high growth potential in attractive sectors, including consumer, health care, logistics and business services, the Bahrain-based alternative asset manager said. Bahrain
US unveils sanctions on Hamas spokesperson Abu Ubaida The US Treasury Department also targeted Hamas members linked to the group’s cyber and drone operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Israel
Interview Incoming legislation to make 'big difference' for Egypt's fintechs, MNT-Halan CEO says Mounir Nakhla told Al-Monitor that although financial inclusion has increased in Egypt over the past few years, much of the country's population is still unbanked. Mounir Nakhla CEO of MNT-Halan
Saudi Arabia, UAE amp up Africa investments amid growing competition Africa is seeing a major uptick in investments from the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which presents the possibility of 'greater returns' for the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia
Saudi private equity investment peaked at $4B in 2023 amid rising buyouts The kingdom's deep-pocketed sovereign wealth fund was involved in the top three private equity transactions between 2019 and 2023. Saudi Arabia
Switzerland reports violation by Lebanon’s Audi bank in Riad Salameh probe The action by FINMA concerns connections around disgraced former Lebanese Central Bank governor Riad Salameh. Lebanon
