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
North African tourism hinges on stability in Europe and at home in 2023 PRO: Will tourism revenues make a comeback in North Africa in 2023? Here's what we're expecting. (access with one-week free trial) Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Lebanon's currency hits an all-time low as gridlock continues Lebanon's currency has set a new record low as the parliament failed yet again to elect a president. Lebanon
Why Tunisian InstaDeep’s $682m exit may not mark Maghreb's turning point While mega exits have historically upturned ecosystems across the world, Tunisia and the Maghreb region contain hurdles that make such shifts less likely. North Africa
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Majority in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia on edge over food access In an exclusive poll in five countries across the Middle East and North Africa, 68% majority of the population worried about their ability to access food. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Egypt green-lights sweeping privatization strategy following IMF agreement The plan defines the contours of the state’s future participation in the economy, including those activities it plans to exit, to increase the contribution of the private sector. Egypt
Israel approves $33 million for quantum computing consortium Building on its technological knowhow and entrepreneurship, Israel hopes to become a major player in quantum computing. Israel
Saudi Arabia launches investment fund for sports, entertainment events Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aggressive modernization plans have been criticized for being overly ambitious. Legacy: Gulf
Is OPEC+ losing influence over production and prices? PRO: The next 5 years promise higher revenues for OPEC+ members, but the risks are extraordinary. (access with free trial) Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia 'open' to discuss trading in non-dollar currencies Qatar also voiced support for Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter at the annual forum in Davos, Switzerland. Legacy: Gulf
South Korea-UAE visit showcases alignment on arms, energy deals A $30 billion pledge from the UAE to invest in South Korean industries was one outcome of the four-day visit By Salim A. Essaid
In Egypt, massive funding for new mosques questioned amid economic crisis The Egyptian Ministry of Endowments has built thousands of new mosques in President Sisi's time in office, despite pressing needs for education, health care, and other services. Egypt
Investment in Saudi Arabia startups in 2022 nears $1 billion Saudi Arabia is the second-largest venture capital market in the Middle East, after the UAE. Legacy: Gulf