Analysis Oil & Gas Saudi and UAE oil may offset any Iran disruption, analysts say Saudi Arabia and the UAE can potentially replace lost Iranian oil supply, but heightened military activity in the Persian Gulf will make it difficult to plug any shortages during Iran-Israel tensions, analysts say. Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, pushing oil prices to an intra-day high of $78 per barrel – the […] June 13, 2025
Markets PIF banks Nintendo win but may have sold too soon Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) pocketed an estimated profit of 175 billion yen ($1.22 billion) trading Nintendo shares, but it may yet rue trimming its stake just months before the Switch 2 console’s record-breaking debut last week. The PIF has invested in video game publishers and console makers worldwide, often through subsidiary Savvy Games […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Banking and Finance Retail and corporate lending help UAE banks to prosper Consumer demand for mortgages, credit cards and personal loans as well as increased corporate and government borrowing helped most major UAE banks post double-digit rises in profits in the first quarter of this year. The profit surge, which comes despite a greater tax burden on the sector, has supported a renewed rally in banking stocks. […] June 14, 2025
OpinionPeople & LifestyleThe official number of Dubai’s Russians is almost impossible to obtain, but 25,000 seems lowFrank Kane, Editor-at-Large
OpinionECONOMY Housing is the true US economy indicator, and it’s sending out a loud recession SOSMatein Khalid, Investor
OpinionaviationIt would be a powerful signal that Syria’s aviation sector is on a path to sustainable growthJohn Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Analysis Construction Slowdown looms for Saudi construction as PIF cuts contracts The number of construction contracts issued by the Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has fallen drastically amid a decline in oil revenues and a realignment of large-scale infrastructure projects. The drop indicates a slowdown in the Saudi construction sector, previously one of the most vibrant in the world. Last year it accounted […]
Exclusive Banking and Finance Stablecoin issuer Circle targets UAE’s $44bn remittance corridor Stablecoin issuer Circle, fresh off a $1 billion initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, is in early talks with money-transfer houses in the UAE to plug its USD Coin (USDC) into one of the world’s busiest remittance corridors. Circle is the sole issuer of USDC, the world’s second-largest stablecoin, with a market […]
Analysis Retail Majid Al Futtaim IPO could ease succession strains Taking Majid Al Futtaim Holding public could provide a way to resolve the succession challenges facing the Dubai-based family conglomerate, but also risks fracturing the tight-knit structure that has long defined one of the Gulf’s most prominent family businesses. “The best way to solve family disputes is [to] list all the shares,” says Obediah Ayton, […]
Analysis Tax GCC braces for effects of Trump’s ‘Big, beautiful bill’ A proposal under consideration in the US Congress to impose new levies on sovereign wealth funds and other foreign investors is unlikely to harm GCC-based entities directly, experts have told AGBI. It could, however, have enough of a knock-on effect on the global attractiveness of US assets to convince large Gulf players to reassess their […]
Analysis Banking and Finance Gulf banks fight back to beat buy-now-pay-later advantage Gulf banks are moving aggressively to claw back billions of dollars in market share from buy-now-pay-later fintechs, turning to new payments infrastructure to reassert control at checkout, according to industry executives. Visa is working with lenders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to expand its “Installment Solutions” platform, which allows credit cardholders to split payments […]
Analysis Construction Slowdown looms for Saudi construction as PIF cuts contracts The number of construction contracts issued by the Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has fallen drastically amid a decline in oil revenues and a realignment of large-scale infrastructure projects. The drop indicates a slowdown in the Saudi construction sector, previously one of the most vibrant in the world. Last year it accounted […]
Exclusive Banking and Finance Stablecoin issuer Circle targets UAE’s $44bn remittance corridor Stablecoin issuer Circle, fresh off a $1 billion initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, is in early talks with money-transfer houses in the UAE to plug its USD Coin (USDC) into one of the world’s busiest remittance corridors. Circle is the sole issuer of USDC, the world’s second-largest stablecoin, with a market […]
Analysis Retail Majid Al Futtaim IPO could ease succession strains Taking Majid Al Futtaim Holding public could provide a way to resolve the succession challenges facing the Dubai-based family conglomerate, but also risks fracturing the tight-knit structure that has long defined one of the Gulf’s most prominent family businesses. “The best way to solve family disputes is [to] list all the shares,” says Obediah Ayton, […]
Analysis Tax GCC braces for effects of Trump’s ‘Big, beautiful bill’ A proposal under consideration in the US Congress to impose new levies on sovereign wealth funds and other foreign investors is unlikely to harm GCC-based entities directly, experts have told AGBI. It could, however, have enough of a knock-on effect on the global attractiveness of US assets to convince large Gulf players to reassess their […]
Analysis Banking and Finance Gulf banks fight back to beat buy-now-pay-later advantage Gulf banks are moving aggressively to claw back billions of dollars in market share from buy-now-pay-later fintechs, turning to new payments infrastructure to reassert control at checkout, according to industry executives. Visa is working with lenders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to expand its “Installment Solutions” platform, which allows credit cardholders to split payments […]
Analysis Banking and Finance Retail and corporate lending help UAE banks to prosper Consumer demand for mortgages, credit cards and personal loans as well as increased corporate and government borrowing helped most major UAE banks post double-digit rises in profits in the first quarter of this year. The profit surge, which comes despite a greater tax burden on the sector, has supported a renewed rally in banking stocks. […] June 14, 2025
Opinion People & Lifestyle How many Russians in Dubai? Let’s ask them Whether 25,000 or 300,000, it's not called Marinagrad for nothing June 13, 2025
Aviation Etihad passengers up 17% as fleet and route networks grow Passenger numbers on Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways rose 17 percent year on year in the first five months of 2025 as the Emirati carrier increased its fleet and route network. The total number of Etihad passengers carried from January to May reached 8.4 million, according to a statement. The average passenger load factor increased to […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Oil & Gas Saudi and UAE oil may offset any Iran disruption, analysts say Saudi Arabia and the UAE can potentially replace lost Iranian oil supply, but heightened military activity in the Persian Gulf will make it difficult to plug any shortages during Iran-Israel tensions, analysts say. Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, pushing oil prices to an intra-day high of $78 per barrel – the […] June 13, 2025
Markets Dubai shares slide nearly 2% on Israel and Iran tensions Dubai’s benchmark stock index fell sharply on Friday, as heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered a sell-off in heavyweight property shares. The DFM General Index dropped 1.87 percent after Israel launched strikes on Iranian military targets. Israel said it had hit nuclear and missile sites as well as targeting senior commanders, calling it […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Oil & Gas Saudi and UAE oil may offset any Iran disruption, analysts say Saudi Arabia and the UAE can potentially replace lost Iranian oil supply, but heightened military activity in the Persian Gulf will make it difficult to plug any shortages during Iran-Israel tensions, analysts say. Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, pushing oil prices to an intra-day high of $78 per barrel – the […] June 13, 2025
Markets PIF banks Nintendo win but may have sold too soon Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) pocketed an estimated profit of 175 billion yen ($1.22 billion) trading Nintendo shares, but it may yet rue trimming its stake just months before the Switch 2 console’s record-breaking debut last week. The PIF has invested in video game publishers and console makers worldwide, often through subsidiary Savvy Games […] June 13, 2025
Oil & Gas Egypt signs LNG supply deals with global companies Egypt has reportedly signed contracts to purchase additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from global energy companies to meet peak summer electricity demand and falling domestic production. The deals were signed with state-owned Saudi Aramco, Singapore’s Trafigura Group and Switzerland’s Vitol Group, Bloomberg news agency reported, citing informed sources. The state-run Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company has also […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Telecoms Analysts opt for small Gulf telcos despite profits at majors The Gulf’s major former telecom monopolies reported steady first-quarter profit growth and have proved a safe haven for equity investors during market volatility this year. However, it is their smaller domestic rivals that analysts prefer. Saudi Telecom Co (STC), the UAE’s e& (formerly and more commonly known as Etisalat), Qatar’s Ooredoo and Kuwait’s Zain are […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Construction Slowdown looms for Saudi construction as PIF cuts contracts The number of construction contracts issued by the Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has fallen drastically amid a decline in oil revenues and a realignment of large-scale infrastructure projects. The drop indicates a slowdown in the Saudi construction sector, previously one of the most vibrant in the world. Last year it accounted […] June 12, 2025
Transport Tesla enters Morocco ahead of 2030 World Cup US multinational automotive company Tesla has reportedly officially entered the Moroccan market, in a bid to take advantage of surging business demand ahead of its co-hosting of the Fifa 2030 World Cup. The new company, named Tesla Morocco, was established on May 27 by two Dutch business entities, one called Tesla International (which serves as a […] June 13, 2025
Oil & Gas Algeria sets $7bn investment target for refinery projects Algeria has reportedly launched new petrochemical and refining projects worth $7 billion, part of its drive to diversify its state revenue sources and tackle a persistent budget deficit. Mohamed Arkab, the Algerian energy minister, revealed the projects during a parliament policy session on Thursday, local press reported on Friday. The projects in north and east […] June 13, 2025
Analysis Employment Tighter Omanisation rules for state contracts Companies operating in Oman have just under a year to adhere to Omanisation quotas or face being banned from applying for government contracts, as the Gulf state strives to increase opportunities for new Omani graduates. The decision was announced on June 2. It means companies tendering for contracts have a deadline of May 31, 2026 […] June 13, 2025
Aviation Middle East airspace shut after Israel strikes Iran Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability and more of a safety concern. Detours add to […] June 13, 2025
Oil & Gas Strong Chinese demand keeps Iranian oil flowing Iran’s refining facilities and oil storage did not sustain any damage from Israel’s strikes on Friday, according to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company. Israel targeted its nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building a […] June 13, 2025
EXCLUSIVE Sustainability Bank al Etihad partners with Visa for carbon insights tool Jordan’s Bank al Etihad has partnered with Visa to offer a carbon insights tool within its app. The bank says the tool, developed by German fintech ecolytiq, gives customers information about their carbon footprint based on debit and credit card transactions. Ecolytic’s product is intended to increase consumer spending while encouraging them to make “greener […] June 13, 2025
Tourism Kuwait’s UREC to build island tourism complex in Oman Kuwaiti developer United Real Estate Company (UREC) is planning to create an island tourism complex in Oman, as the sultanate strives to develop its tourism sector and catch up with its Gulf neighbours. UREC said in a bourse statement on Wednesday that its subsidiary in the sultanate UREC Oman has signed a contract for the […] June 12, 2025
Oil & Gas Abraj wins major Oman oil drilling contract State-run Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has awarded Abraj Energy Services a six-year oil drilling contract in an onshore block in the north of the Gulf state. Abraj won the exploration bid, which PDO floated for the 130 sq km block 6 last month, located in the Ghaba basin in northern Oman. The contract involves six separate […] June 12, 2025
Economy Turkish debt markets have a busy summer ahead Ankara faces a busy summer of funding its borrowing programme, rolling over existing bonds and issuing new securities to bridge a widening budget deficit, as it contends with high interest rates and persistent inflation. On Tuesday, the finance and treasury ministry conducted three lira-denominated auctions of bonds and treasury bills with a combined value of […] June 12, 2025
Industry Turkey explores relocating industries to mitigate quake risk Turkey is reportedly seeking to move industrial zones away from Istanbul to reduce potential economic disruption in the event of a major earthquake. The decision follows growing fears over a quake that could cause severe damage to the city’s population of 16 million and industrial base, the Daily Sabah newspaper reported. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake […] June 12, 2025
Markets Turkish bourse anticipates return of foreign investors Investors are continuing to exit Turkey’s stock exchange, despite Borsa İstanbul’s main index recovering from losses sparked by concerns over political instability. However, anticipated cuts in interest rates could see a return to the share market as traders seek richer earnings. More than 1.8 million investors stepped away from the exchange in the year ending […] June 11, 2025
Retail Turkey opens inquiry into Coca-Cola distributor Turkey has opened a formal investigation into Coca-Cola Satış ve Dağıtım AŞ (CCSD) over potential violations of competition law. The move follows a preliminary inquiry that examined allegations the Coca-Cola distributor was imposing exclusivity on retailers and excluding competitors from these outlets, the Turkish Competition Authority said in a statement. The competition board found the allegations […] June 11, 2025
Banking and Finance European bank’s $86m aid to create jobs in Turkey The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a €75 million ($86 million) loan to Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası (TSKB), the country’s development bank, to support businesses that offer opportunities to women and young people. The funding will also back companies impacted by the 2023 earthquakes. At least 15 percent of the funds […] June 10, 2025
Renewable Energy African Development Bank part-funds Egypt’s solar project The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved up to $184.1 million in financing for Egypt’s Obelisk solar power and battery storage project. The project involves the construction and operation of a one gigawatt )GW) solar photovoltaic plant and a 200-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system in south Egypt. The project’s total cost is estimated at […] June 13, 2025
Oil & Gas Egypt signs LNG supply deals with global companies Egypt has reportedly signed contracts to purchase additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from global energy companies to meet peak summer electricity demand and falling domestic production. The deals were signed with state-owned Saudi Aramco, Singapore’s Trafigura Group and Switzerland’s Vitol Group, Bloomberg news agency reported, citing informed sources. The state-run Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company has also […] June 13, 2025
Finance Egypt plans to issue first tranche of $504m sukuk Egypt is reportedly planning to issue the first tranche of the EGP25 billion ($504 million) local sovereign sukuk issuance in the third quarter of 2025. The Ijarah sukuk will be issued to test the market and gauge investor appetite, followed by remaining tranches, Ashraq News, an Arabic financial portal, reported quoting three unnamed government officials. […] June 12, 2025
Economy Egypt economy The latest economic and demographic indicators for Egypt, including GDP, inflation, trade, population, unemployment and more June 9, 2025
Manufacturing Morocco imposes duties on Egyptian PVC imports Morocco has reportedly imposed temporary anti-dumping duties on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) imports from Egypt. The tariffs, which came into effect last week, range between 74.87 percent and 92.19 percent, Morocco World News reported, citing the customs and indirect tax administration. The move follows an investigation launched on November 27, 2024 at the request of SNEP, […] June 9, 2025
Analysis Real Estate Land prices surge as Dubai’s developers scramble for plots A wave of land acquisitions by Dubai developers has driven up prices by more than a third so far this year. Fierce competition for prime plots and off-plan sales is pushing investors into emerging districts, industry professionals say. The land rush, fuelled by constrained supply in central areas and a growing population, has underpinned the […]
Analysis Manufacturing UAE-US gallium project is an attempt to loosen China’s grip A new UAE-US effort to produce gallium, a chemical element that is critical to making semiconductors, may bring some relief to Western and Asian users choked by China’s stranglehold on the metal. But relevant manufacturing plants need years to come to fruition, and require technology and know-how that for the moment are almost entirely confined […]
Analysis Tech Why founders and fintechs are the X factor for VCs Personalities, teamwork, market size and originality. Technology founders seeking cash or incubation may be better served looking in a mirror rather than analysing code, according to investors. “The founder is always the main driver as to whether we invest,” Lucy Chow, senior advisor at angel investors 2022 Female Angels, tells AGBI. The inverse also holds […]
Analysis Real Estate Medina plays catch-up to Mecca’s expansion Hajj pilgrims arriving at the Grand Mosque in Mecca this week will be the first in more than a decade to see a skyline free of construction cranes. Now that the long-delayed expansion of Islam’s holiest site is complete, the cranes that long dominated the area have been taken down. The renovations have doubled the […]
Analysis Tourism Oman smart city projects face pushback on heritage Oman may be investing more than $15 billion in developing digitally smart urban areas but critics say the ambition could contravene the country’s heritage priorities. The sultanate has mobilised urban plans that could cost more than $15 billion, starting with Sultan Haitham City, work on which is in full swing on the outskirts of the […]
Media & Advertising Ad spend in Mena among world’s lowest thanks to digital media Early and widespread adoption of digital media means countries across the Middle East and North Africa are spending less on advertising per capita than almost any other region. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are among the economies with the lowest ad spending as a percentage of GDP in the world, according to data from […]
Employment Trade tensions may stifle expatriate employment in Saudi Arabia A global economic downturn is likely to result in fewer jobs for expatriates in Saudi Arabia, a local bank has said. Instead, policies aimed at incentivising the hiring of more nationals are increasingly putting Saudis in pole position for jobs, according to Jadwa Investment, an advisory group and investment bank in Riyadh. Last year, expatriate […]
Aviation Sheikh Ahmed: China’s Boeing rejects won’t fly for Emirates Emirates Airline’s chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has downplayed speculation that the carrier could buy Boeing planes originally destined for China. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on Tuesday, Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates was actively exploring options to expand its fleet, but the Boeing aircraft – ordered by Chinese carriers but […]
People & Lifestyle Art Dubai fair buzz drowns out roiling global markets While Dubai art gallery Lawrie Shabibi was exhibiting at last month’s Art Basel Hong Kong, Donald Trump was ramping up his trade war with China, and the event had slower sales and a distinct feeling of unease. The ambiance could not have been more different at last week’s Art Dubai, the largest art fair in […]
Employment UAE labour market: Too many people, not enough jobs More people are looking for jobs in the UAE than there is work available for them, according to a labour market report from recruitment consultancy Cooper Fitch. Hiring in the second-largest Arab economy grew by less than 1.3 percent in the three months to March 31 compared with the same period last year, the report […]
Analysis Artificial Intelligence AI classes to prepare Saudi pupils for the new world Saudi secondary school pupils will soon have classes on artificial intelligence (AI) added to their curriculum. More than 50,000 17 and 18-year-olds will be offered the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course, a joint initiative between the ministry of education and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. It is part of an effort by the […]
Opinion Media & Advertising Dubai chocolate is the golden ticket of city branding Food is part of a place's cultural identity. Plenty of cities and countries have dishes associated with them
LUNCH WITH FRANK KANE Energy Ahmed Al Azkawi: ‘We are the national champion for oil and gas’ The chief executive of OQEP gives our Editor-at-Large a crash course in Omani energy past, present and future
Aviation Trump’s Gulf deals help Boeing deliver a blockbuster May Boeing heads into the Paris Air Show after a blockbuster May that included booking 303 new orders and rolling out 38 new 737 MAX jets, a production rate it has been working to reach for more than a year. The company also delivered 45 aircraft last month, it said Tuesday. It was the sixth-highest monthly order tally […]
Renewable Energy Altérra backs Italy’s Absolute Energy renewables project Altérra, one of the world’s biggest private climate funds, has made its second direct investment in Europe through Italian renewable energy firm Absolute Energy and plans more deals ahead, its chief executive told Reuters. The fund, set up in 2023 by the United Arab Emirates with $30 billion, has so far invested $6.5 billion, mostly […]
Real Estate Emaar’s Indian unit expands amid sale talks The Indian subsidiary of Dubai-listed Emaar Properties has launched a new housing project in the state of Uttar Pradesh amid buyout talks with the local business Adani Group. The launch follows reports in March that the Dubai developer was planning to sell its Indian venture for $1.4 billion to a conglomerate led by billionaire Gautam […]
Energy China to build ‘sub-critical’ nuclear reactor in Iraq China has agreed to build the region’s first nuclear reactor training facility in Iraq, as the Baghdad government increasingly looks to nuclear power to help tackle its persistent power shortages. Iraq’s atomic energy commission said on Monday that it would sign an agreement for the facility with China’s atomic energy authority and that the project […]
