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
Analysis Middle East IPOs shine in 2024 but face new challenges Middle East IPOs hauled in over $13 billion in 2024, and the region also produced three of the year’s 10 largest listings worldwide. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Who is Maysaa Sabrine, first woman to lead Central Bank of Syria? Syria’s new leadership has appointed Maysaa Sabrine to head the country’s central bank, the first woman to do so in the institution’s history. Syria
Turkey’s Central Bank lowers interest rates for the first time in nearly 2 years The decision to cut interest rates follows 18 months of monetary tightening and comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the country’s runaway inflation. Turkey
Analysis Gulf’s citizenship industry poised for growth amid new global uncertainty Flexible visa programs have emerged in the Middle East, fueled by wealthy Gulf states competing to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals as part of their economic diversification strategies. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Mideast merger and acquisition activity hits $36B in 2024 led by UAE, Saudi Arabia For the first 10 months of the year, merger and acquisition deals in the region reached $36 billion, up by 88% from a year earlier, a Bain & Company report said. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Public Investment Fund takes 15% stake in London's Heathrow Airport Spanish construction giant Ferrovial said it had closed the sale of a 19.75% stake in the UK capital’s busiest airport for 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to the PIF and French investment firm Ardian. Saudi Arabia
Syria's interim PM warns foreign currency shortage could hinder refugee return Nearly 14 years of civil war, international sanctions and the exodus of 4.82 million Syrians have crippled the economy, resulting in a sharp decline of the Syrian pound. Syria
Bpifrance, Saudi PIF sign $10B financing agreement The five-year agreement will increase collaboration between PIF and Bpifrance Assurance Export, focusing on projects to support Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
France's Macron eyes defense deals, Lebanon support on Saudi state visit French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a one-on-one dinner on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia
Turkey launches counterfeit US dollar probe as exchange offices halt trade The Banking Association of Turkey said currency counting machines, counterfeit currency detection devices as well as ATMs were being updated against circulation of counterfeit banknotes. Turkey
China embraces debt listings to tap into Gulf’s pool of wealth As UAE stock markets hit $1 trillion in market capitalization for the first time last week, an increasing number of Chinese entities are choosing to list some of their debt on Gulf capital markets. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Barclays fined $50M for failing to disclose 2008 Qatari funding The UK-headquartered bank will pay a fine of 40 million pounds to British regulators for failing to disclose information of its rescue by Qatar during the 2008 financial crisis. Qatar
