Newsletter: Business & Tech Syria seeks investment in new era Syria’s year-old transitional government is accelerating efforts to rebuild its war-battered economy. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions Trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 billion in 2025. United Arab Emirates
Mideast funds back Paramount's $108B Warner Bros. takeover bid Netflix appeared to have won a weeks-long bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, securing a $72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros. Discovery's TV, film studios and streaming assets, but Monday's $108 billion bid changes the calculus. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia deepens footprint in Syria with four new oil and gas deals The year-old Syrian government looks to revive the country’s energy sector, in part by signing deals with international companies and attracting foreign direct investment. Syria
Feature Syria’s new order faces old problems: Sanctions, reconstruction and volatility By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
NVIDIA to deploy AI across Middle East amid increasing US-China tech tensions It was reported in August 2023 that Washington planned to curb exports of some AI microchips from NVIDIA, as well as from Advanced Micro Devices, beyond China to some unspecified Middle Eastern countries. Qatar
Analysis Is Abu Dhabi Global Market poised to rival world’s leading financial hubs? The Abu Dhabi Global Market, an international free zone in the heart of the UAE capital, is attracting global companies and investors as it looks to become one of the world's leading financial hubs. By Vanessa Ghanem In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics
As Houthis sink second vessel, shipping industry calls for Red Sea protection A shipping salvage firm confirmed on Wednesday that the M/V Tutor, a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, had sunk after being hit by two Houthi cruise missiles on June 12. The attack killed one crew member from the Philippines. Yemen
Russia, Iran inaugurate Rasht-Caspian Railway: What we know The railway was launched at a ceremony attended by Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, Minister of Transport and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, and senior Russian and Azerbaijani officials. Iran
Analysis With China rivalry in mind, UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon hits tech reset in US visit Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser and an influential brother of the country’s president, visited Washington this month. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Dubai, Tel Aviv most expensive for expats in MidEast as Tunis, Ankara rank least Tunis, Algiers and Ankara have a relatively low cost of living for international workers, according to a survey by the consulting firm Mercer. United Arab Emirates
RwandAir CEO says Qatar Airways could acquire 49% stake in July For the past five years, Qatar and Rwanda have been working on a deal that would see Qatar Airways take a 49% stake in RwandAir for an undisclosed fee. Qatar
Why is Saudi Arabia cutting funding, reducing costs on ambitious projects? Saudi Arabia is reevaluating its financial priorities under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify the nation away from a reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
From Israel to Iran, Modi 3.0 eyes deepening of India's Middle East ties India refuses to be restricted by its former Cold War commitments; as with any other power or wannabe power, only self-interest matters, and the oil monarchies of the Gulf top India's list of friends in the region. Iran
Houthi attacks caused 90% drop in Red Sea shipping, Pentagon finds The Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency found that the attacks impacted at least 65 countries and forced at least 29 major energy and shipping companies to change their routes. Yemen
Saudi Arabia holds investment summit in Brazil, plans to invest $15B Brazil’s energy minister said Saudi Arabia plans to invest $15 billion in the South American country, bolstering already strong economic relations based largely on mining, meat and oil. Saudi Arabia
Barclays plays down Israel military links as protesters target branches More than 15 branches of the bank across England and Scotland were found with windows smashed and red paint daubed over the buildings as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel as well as from fossil fuel businesses. Palestine