Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro’s ouster: What to know Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country’s oil revenues. Qatar
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
Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
Analysis Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Full list of airlines that have suspended Israel flights after Hamas attacks Israel’s main international airport has remained open despite the conflict, and most Israeli airlines are still operating. Israel
20% rise in Middle East late-stage venture capital funding despite global decline Startups in the Middle East and North Africa have so far in 2023 reported a 20% year-on-year growth, new data shows, while global funding activity of this type has seen a 49% decline from 2022. Legacy: Gulf
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ in talks with Turkey to build railway for trade corridor Amid increasing cooperation between the two countries, an alternative trade corridor is planned linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Turkey
Middle East economic growth to fall sharply in 2023, World Bank says The Middle East and North Africa’s gross domestic product is expected to plummet to 1.9% in 2023 from 6% in 2022. Legacy: Gulf
Israeli shekel falls to 7-year low of 3.87 against the dollar The shekel’s fall is the latest sign of economic uncertainty amid Israel’s political turmoil. Israel
Egypt's economy hit with downgrades as Sisi seeks third term Egypt continues to reel from high inflation, a weak exchange rate and more. Rare protests occurred in the country following President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s reelection bid announcement. Egypt
UK, Turkey in talks about third railway project The project follows the UK government underwriting financing in July to support the construction of a 286-kilometer high-speed electric railway in southern Turkey. Turkey
Saudi Arabia projects $21 billion deficit as economy diversifies from oil The kingdom was among the world’s fastest-growing economies last year with almost 9% GDP growth after a petrodollar boom amid a global rise in energy prices due to inflation and the Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia
After Nagorno-Karabakh offensive, can Turkey play nice with Armenia? Following Azerbaijani victory in Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey is now laying the foundations for a rapprochement with Yerevan. Turkey
Pakistan, Gulf Cooperation Council sign 'preliminary' free trade agreement When the final trade deal comes into effect, it will likely be the GCC's first since 2009. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday. By Salim A. Essaid
