Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Egypt lands $572M UAE-backed solar deal, expanding Gulf's clean-energy footprint Gulf companies have been increasing their investments in North African renewable energy. Egypt
Newsletter: Business & Tech World Cup spending boosts Morocco stocks This week, Morocco’s stock market surged on 2030 World Cup hype, Egypt secured its first Qatari industrial investment in sustainable aviation fuel, Yemen’s oil-rich south saw renewed conflict, and AI-driven robots are helping the UAE meet construction demands. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades Shares in SGTM jumped by 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its IPO, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years. Morocco
Analysis Yemen’s oil heartland fuels new conflict as STC seeks new political power By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Protests in southern Syria as economy worsens Syria’s economy is in tatters, and the removal of subsidies has led to relatively rare protests in government territory. Syria
Head of Tunisia’s bakery owners union arrested amid bread crisis President Kais Saied is targeting those he accuses of monopolizing flour amid an ongoing bread shortage. Tunisia
US greenlights Israel's $3.5B sale of Arrow 3 air defense system to Germany Germany has been trying to acquire the system for around a year now, with tension rising between Russia and NATO over the Ukraine war. Israel
Saudi Arabia, China sign $1.33 billion in housing deals The Saudi-China Business Forum represents the latest sign of increased Chinese interest in Saudi Arabia. Legacy: Gulf
Morocco to continue to attract likes of Boeing and Airbus as aeronautics industry grows Morocco’s aeronautics industry has come a long way over the past decade. Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Saudi oil exports fall to 21-month low The decline in the kingdom’s oil exports follows its production cuts as well as those of Russia. Saudi Arabia may face difficulties maintaining price stability moving forward. Legacy: Gulf
Offshore gas rig sets up in cash-strapped Lebanon The arrival of the machinery marks a significant development for Lebanon, which hope gas exploration will revive its ailing economy. Lebanon
Israel’s inflation drops to 3.3%, beating expectations Inflation in Israel has dropped to 3.3% from 4.2% in June, even as analysts predicted it would rise in July. Israel
Iran’s oil exports to China hit 10-year high Iran is growing politically and economically closer to China in light of US sanctions. Iran
How significant is India's first ever use of rupees for UAE oil payment? Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) received the rupee payment of an undisclosed amount from Indian Oil Corp., according to an Indian Embassy statement acquired by Reuters. United Arab Emirates
Moody’s upgrades outlook for Turkish banks amid economic U-turn The US-based rating agency projected Turkey's economic growth to be 4.2% at the end of 2023, falling from 2022’s 5.6%. Turkey
Israel’s natural gas-export drive to get boost from new drilling licenses With initial bids submitted in July to explore for new sources of natural gas, Israel has moved an important step closer towards a significant increase in production. David Rosenberg In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech