Iran strikes UAE’s Fujairah oil hub as US pushes Hormuz reopening The United States launched an initiative to restart commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday as the UAE braced for fallout amid new missile and drone attacks. United Arab Emirates
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Oman enters Gulf AI race with new special economic zone in Muscat Oman will create an AI-focused special economic zone in Muscat governorate. Oman
Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture Benchmark Brent crude surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching the highest levels yet seen during the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
War in Ukraine tests Algeria’s wheat reserves amid inflation, drought Wheat supplies should be sufficient for the rest of 2022. But the country will eventually be compelled to secure additional quantities at higher prices Algeria
Fundraising by Israeli startups expected to decline during 2022 A survey of Israeli startup companies shows a significant drop in fundraising. Israel
UAE investments boost Egyptian economy The United Arab Emirates is seeking profits by investing $2 billion in Egyptian state-held stakes in some companies. Egypt
Abu Dhabi, South Korea pledge to boost economic relations South Korean entities have signed major deals with Egypt and Saudi Arabia recently. United Arab Emirates
Fitch gives Egypt ‘stable’ debt rating, citing reforms Egypt is pursuing deregulation and tax reforms to some success, but the war in Ukraine has severely hurt the country’s economy. Egypt
Russian invasion of Ukraine slams Turkey’s transportation industry Traffic at the Turkish border crossings have come to a grinding halt after trucks en route to Russia, Belarus and Central Asia diverted routes to Turkey and Georgia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkey
Oman on cusp of introducing personal income tax Income tax is now in the pipeline in Oman, and other nations in the Gulf, one of the world’s largest bastions of tax-free wages, are watching with interest. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia sends $50 million to Jordan for budget as economy falters The Jordanian government is working to close tax loopholes and increase its revenue collection amid its economic struggle. Jordan
UAE-India economic agreement to lower tariffs, duties in bid to boost trade India is one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, with oil, jewelry and textiles forming a bulk of the trade. United Arab Emirates
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange continues to reach historic highs The TA 125 index’s growth is being led by banks and not Israel’s large tech sector. Israel
Egypt welcomes return of Qatari investments As Qatari money flows back into Egypt, the question now is how these potentially game-changing foreign investments will be directed. Egypt