What Netanyahu win or loss could mean for Israel’s economy Economic concerns have taken a back seat to security as voters weigh Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future — but rising deficits, cost of living and politically charged issues will be a challenge for whoever eventually prevails. Israel
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 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
With 32% trade boost, Turkey eyes Saudi investments amid domestic downturn Trade between the two countries reached $5.86 billion in 2022, a 32.6% increase over the previous year. Turkey
Saudi PIF ups investment in China’s Alibaba-backed tech fund eWTP Arabia Capital invests in energy and technology start-ups across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Saudi Arabia
After US, India, UAE, World Economic Forum expects Brazil to enter green coalition India, the UAE and the United States are part of the First Movers Coalition, a green alliance that Rob van Riet, senior adviser at the WEF's Center for Nature and Climate, told Al-Monitor he hoped Brazil will be the next to join. United Arab Emirates
Kuwait, Qatar, UAE telecoms merge assets into $2.2B tower company Three Gulf companies will create a new entity, which has not yet been publicly named, combining around 30,000 tower assets in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Tunisia. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: Did investors profit from Hamas attack on Israel? The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange said there was no irregular trading after US researchers noted an increase in short volume and interest of some Israeli securities in the days leading up to Hamas’ deadly incursion. Israel
What is behind Turkey’s inflation spike to 61.9% in November? November's consumer prices also rose by 3.28%, data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute showed on Monday. Turkey
Why COP28 will likely end in compromise on phasing down some fossil fuels Karim Elgendy In Woking, reporting on regional politics
How are climate change, water scarcity weighing on Iraq’s agriculture? The Norwegian Refugee Council said farmers are being hurt economically by climate change, and suggested better irrigation techniques and water monitoring technology to improve the sector. Iraq
IMF chief urges governments to increase carbon prices, reduce fossil fuel subsidies Kristalina Georgieva was addressing an audience of business leaders and philanthropists at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Brazil to join OPEC+ as Saudi-led bloc agrees to oil cuts Saudi Arabia, which leads the alliance of oil producers, has been instituting voluntary production cuts in an effort to keep prices up. Legacy: Gulf
UAE-China ink multibillion-dollar deals as ties grow The United Arab Emirates and China are major trade partners and have strengthened cooperation in both finance and energy in recent months. Legacy: Gulf
What does Saudi Arabia hosting of Expo 2030 mean for its economy? Winning the rights to host the world fair follows news that the kingdom will likely host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, among several other major events. Legacy: Gulf