Qatar locks in US LNG through 2054 as it looks beyond Hormuz The Gulf state agreed to buy up to 4 million tons of US liquefied natural gas annually through 2054. Qatar
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
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
UAE's IDEX weapons fair brings in Russia, China, and billion-dollar deals The United Arab Emirates’ defense expenditure amounted to $22.5 billion last year and is expected to reach $28.6 billion by 2027. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt’s inflation to remain above central bank target in 2023 Inflation in Egypt will most likely continue to rise in the coming months to peak above 30% by mid-year, well above the government’s target. Marc Español
Iran's currency dips to all-time low, basic prices skyrocket Recently launched government plans to restore stability to the troubled foreign exchange market proved no remedy, as ordinary Iranians continue to see their pockets shrink. Iran
In shift away from US dollar, Iraq to allow trade with China in yuan Some countries in the region are increasingly looking away from the dollar. Iraq
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Russia's role seen as negative in Turkey, Yemen, Iraq The Russian invasion of Ukraine hurt the region economically, as supply chain disruptions and food shortages topped respondents concerns in Turkey, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq Turkey
Turkey’s Central Bank slashes interest rates after devastating earthquakes The move is likely aimed at weathering the fallout from the devastating earthquakes in accordance with the Turkish government's economy policy to prioritize economic growth at the expense of inflation. Turkey
US, India, UAE, Israel convene I2U2 forum in Abu Dhabi The meeting builds on the food security initiative spearheaded by President Joe Biden in 2021 in preparation for global climate change. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey bans layoffs, introduces benefits, amid mounting earthquake failures The Turkish government’s new decisions come amid mounting criticism over its failure to provide a timely and organized response to the killer earthquakes. Turkey
Reports: Saudi Arabia to deposit $1 billion in Yemen’s central bank The European Union also announced additional funding for Yemen, while a famine watchdog said that economic warfare is increasingly causing hardship for Yemenis. Legacy: Gulf
Israel's NewMed gas group to build facility in East Med The move comes as Israel is seeking to export more gas to Europe. Israel
Ukraine war at year 1: Europe seeks secure energy ties with Middle East As the war in Ukraine drags on, Western sanctions on Russia, the world’s largest natural gas and second-largest oil exporter, have sent Europe hunting for alternatives in the Middle East and North Africa. Legacy: Gulf
Double blow: Syria braces for historic drought after earthquake For the third consecutive year, delayed rains have left the land scorched and farmers reeling from the impact of a historic drought. Syria