US reportedly slows AI chip exports to Mideast as Saudi Arabia turns to China

Washington has further restricted imports of critical components for AI systems to certain countries, including some undisclosed ones in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia

Middle East economic outlook caught between low growth, high debt convergence

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

UAE main destination for smuggled African gold, report claims

Swissaid estimates that 405 metric tons of gold, mostly mined by small-scale or artisanal miners, were smuggled out of Africa in 2022 and ended up in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates

South Korea, UAE ink trade deal lifting tariffs on over 90% of imports

The agreement was signed by ministers at a summit in the capital Seoul during the UAE president's first state visit.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invests in Elon Musk’s $24B AI startup

Kingdom Holding Company also holds a stake in Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Saudi Arabia

UAE president arrives in South Korea to talk defense, energy, business ties

The visit, the first by the Emirati president, aims to enhance the already strong ties between the two countries.

United Arab Emirates

Interview

Saudi Expo 2030 to offer major opportunities for French businesses, says official

In November, the Saudi capital won the right to host the Expo 2030 world trade fair that is expected to attract around 40 million visitors and billions of dollars of inward investment.

Axel Baroux

French Trade and Invest Commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

Malaysia courts Gulf investment and economic ties, but Saudi relations remain question mark

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Gaza war complicates IMEC plans even as Gulf-India ties warm

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor's progress is facing some difficulties related to geopolitical complexities, funding and conflicts in the Red Sea and Gaza.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank

In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line.

Lebanon

Goldman Sachs first Wall Street bank to get green light for Saudi Arabia HQ

The US-headquartered investment bank received a license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment to set up its regional headquarters in the capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia

Algeria signs with ExxonMobil, Baker Hughes as Europe's gas demand soars

Europe is increasingly looking to Algeria for natural gas amid the Ukraine war, and the North African country’s exports are on the rise.

Algeria