Analysis Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags The leadership change comes as slowing megaprojects and weak foreign inflows expose gaps in the kingdom’s ambitious economic overhaul. Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi merges ADQ into new wealth fund L'IMAD: What to know Under the new structure, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, will oversee a broader swath of the emirate’s investment holdings. United Arab Emirates
How significant is India's first ever use of rupees for UAE oil payment? Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) received the rupee payment of an undisclosed amount from Indian Oil Corp., according to an Indian Embassy statement acquired by Reuters. United Arab Emirates
What is Emiratization and how did UAE recover $600,000 from 'fake hires?' The UAE recovered $600,000 worth of payments made by private companies to 107 Emiratis for fake jobs created in an attempt to fulfill Emiratization quotas. United Arab Emirates
UAE's ADNOC to expand gas processing with $3.6 billion contract ADNOC Gas announced it would award the contract to a joint venture between ADQ state-fund-owned National Petroleum Construction Company and Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas. United Arab Emirates
Qatar loans Argentina $775 million to repay IMF Qatar continues its practice of assisting financially strapped countries by providing a loan to Argentina, which is also planning to use the yuan to purchase Chinese imports. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia, UAE lead Forbes’ 2023 Arab family business ranking Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated the list, with 33 and 29 of the top 100 spots respectively, Egypt’s Mansour Group sat in first place, with the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group in second and Saudi Arabia’s only female-led company, Olayan Financing Company, at third. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia borrowing rate hits new high, posing risk to foreign investments The Saudi Arabian Interbank Offered Rate climbed above an average of 6% in July, which was higher than the rate during the 2008 global financial crisis. Saudi Arabia
Japan’s Nomura subsidiary receives crypto license in UAE The crypto sector is booming in the United Arab Emirates thanks to clear regulations on virtual assets. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanon's scorned central bank chief Riad Salameh steps down Salameh is under investigation in both Lebanon and Europe for financial crimes as Lebanon’s economic crisis continues. Lebanon
Gulf central banks raise interest rates after US Federal Reserve decision Gulf central banks also held firm in June when the Fed paused its rate hikes. Legacy: Gulf
Morgan Stanley lowers Israel’s sovereign credit as Moody's issues warning Protests are mounting over the controversial judicial reforms, and the leading credit agency downgraded Israel earlier this year. Israel
Kuwait prohibits all cryptocurrency use in new virtual assets ban Users of cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets in Kuwait would be subject to Kuwait’s 2013 money laundering and terrorist financing laws. Kuwait
Breaking | Last Updated: July 20, 2023, 10:59 am Turkey’s Central Bank hikes interest rates to 17.5% The 250 basis point rise was lower than analysts' expectations, many of whom advocate for a steeper hike. Turkey