Interview Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether. Axel Baroux France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense giants head to Europe As Gulf states recalibrate after months of conflict with Iran, defense priorities are shifting from emergency procurement to long-term industrial partnerships. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Saudi Aramco's VC arm sees boom in emerging technologies, retail Anas Alqahtani, CEO of Wa'ed Ventures, expects strong growth in Saudi Arabia’s emerging technology and retail sectors over the coming years. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi contemporary art lands at Art Basel Also this week: Charcoal grills, contemporary art and pilgrimage trails. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no final decision yet on deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis With Ukraine summit, Saudi Arabia boasts mediator role, courts West One expert believes that the talks will also take Western pressure off the kingdom for its close alignment with Russia. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Arab moviegoers wait to see 'Barbie' as UAE, Saudi screenings loom The summer box office hit is maintaining its delayed premier date of Aug. 31 in the UAE, Al-Monitor confirmed with Vox Cinemas. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia, UAE lead Forbes’ 2023 Arab family business ranking Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated the list, with 33 and 29 of the top 100 spots respectively, Egypt’s Mansour Group sat in first place, with the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group in second and Saudi Arabia’s only female-led company, Olayan Financing Company, at third. Saudi Arabia
Gulf investment in UK property expected to reach $3.2 B in 2024 Middle Eastern investors are capitalising on lower property valuations and those investors are likely to refinance when interest rates start falling, the Islamic bank said. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia borrowing rate hits new high, posing risk to foreign investments The Saudi Arabian Interbank Offered Rate climbed above an average of 6% in July, which was higher than the rate during the 2008 global financial crisis. Saudi Arabia
Israeli solar firm enters rare venture with Saudi business Such partnerships are seldom seen, as Israel and Saudi Arabia do not recognise each other formally and the two countries have never established diplomatic relations. Israel
Israel’s north-south rail project will link to Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is optimistic about the possibility of connecting Israel to the Saudi and wider Gulf rail network. Israel
Analysis Iran should be catalyst for Israel-Saudi normalization Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations could also give a financial and political boost to the moribund two-state solution. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
In a first, Saudi Arabia seals deal with Brazil’s largest miner VBM The Vale partnership will give Riyadh access to assets in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia
Top White House officials meet MBS to talk Saudi-Israel normalization National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh as the White House seeks to further integrate Israel into the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Kylian Mbappe declines Saudi meeting to discuss record $333 million transfer A report from L'Equipe newspaper said that the French captain never considered a move to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
China, UAE overtake US companies at Turkey’s IDEF 23 weapons fair During the 15th edition of the IDEF in 2021, the global fair saw more than a thousand companies from 53 countries attend and had more than 94 signing ceremonies take place. Turkey