China-Saudi consortium wins $306M World Cup stadium deal: What to know The project is a vote of confidence to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, despite an uptick in attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the kingdom in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi economic ambitions under strain Saudi Arabia postponed its flagship investment conference, known as “Davos in the Desert,” on Monday as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued attacks on the kingdom. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gulf oil exports surpass prewar levels despite escalating tanker attacks According to data from Kpler, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes across the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, surpassing prewar levels of 23.3 million. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran, Russia ink $1.6 billion rail deal to rival Suez Canal Iran and Russia agreed to build a railway between two Iranian cities as they continue to develop their trade relations despite US sanctions. Iran
Qatari royal submits last-ditch $6.2 billion offer for Manchester United The updated offer, submitted Tuesday, is believed to be close to £5 billion ($6.2 billion) but shy of the current owners’ £6 billion ($7.4 billion) valuation for the soccer club. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia increases stake in EA gaming by 55% The PIF held 16.01 million shares in Electronic Arts (EA) before Q4 2022, but after Q1 2023, it held 24.81 million shares. Saudi Arabia
Petrochemicals take center stage in Gulf’s new oil playbook Building on experience gained from decades of exporting low value crude oil that fueled the global economy, Gulf countries beef up production capacities of higher value petroleum products to bring a greater chunk of the oil’s value chain closer to home. Legacy: Gulf
France seeks arrest of Lebanon's Riad Salameh after no-show for corruption probe Riad Salameh, 72 years old, is currently being probed by Lebanese authorities and European countries including Switzerland over alleged money laundering. Lebanon
Analysis For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia not impossible Israel is cautiously optimistic about US efforts to push Saudi Arabia towards normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Will Telecom Egypt stake sale help country achieve IMF reforms? An expert said it was "unclear” whether the sale helped solve Egypt’s “key problem” of accessing hard currency. Egypt
UAE official discusses cooperation with Iran’s roads minister The UAE and Iran continue to maintain cordial economic and political ties, despite US pressure. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s main stock index falls after election stalemate The Turkish stock market rallied last week as opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu gained momentum in the race to defeat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Egypt’s economy braces for new hit from Sudan conflict Egypt fears that a prolonged conflict in Sudan, a major market for its exports, will add to its economic hardships. Egypt
Dubai’s DP World signs deals with China seaport companies in latest push Ningbo-Zhoushan port said it will boost its Dubai station project as part of China’s Road and Belt Initiative. United Arab Emirates
In Saudi, US embraces a West Asia architecture with India, UAE New relationships across the continent may promote both economic development and security. Legacy: Gulf