Agriculture Oman invests $4bn in food projects and agriculture By Pramod Kumar March 29, 2024, 6:29 AM Reuters Oman has registered a significant rise in food production over the past five years Oman is working on 137 food projects, with a total investment of OMR1.6 billion ($4.2 billion), according to a local media report. The government has unveiled initiatives such as agricultural cities and integrated agricultural plans to address land issues, Oman Daily Observer said, quoting the minister of agriculture, fisheries and water resources Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi. NewsletterGet the Best of AGBI delivered straight to your inbox every week In total they are expected to yield 852,000 tonnes of agricultural and fisheries products. The sultanate has registered a significant rise in food production from 3.9 million to 4.7 million tonnes between 2019 and 2024, he said. Oman launches $5bn fund for major projects Oman’s growing space sector attracts $52m in investments The stars are aligned for Oman’s economic resurgence Al Habsi said the government’s proactive approach to maintaining strategic stockpiles of essential commodities aims to counteract the impact of global economic crises. Furthermore, the ministry is collaborating with other governmental entities to establish food security laboratories and facilitate public-private partnerships in the food industry, the report said.
Economy Bahrain debt hits $48bn but analyst downplays spending fears Bahrain’s public debt has risen to almost BHD18 billion ($48 billion), according to its ministry of finance, but a banking expert has downplayed concerns over its spending. Bahrain, the smallest country in the GCC bloc of six with a population of almost 1.5 million people, has dwindling reserves of oil and gas. It is partially […] 1 hour ago
Construction Eagle Hills signs contract for Budapest redevelopment Abu Dhabi-based developer Eagle Hills has signed a real estate purchase agreement with Hungary to start work on transforming a rundown area of Budapest. The project, spanning an area of 100 hectares, will have a development cost of more than €12 billion ($12.3 billion), the developer said in a statement. The project is supported by the […] 17 mins ago
Finance Kuwait ministries free to increase public service charges Kuwait issued a decree on Sunday that will allow ministries to set charges for public services for the first time in 30 years. The decree, which abolishes a 1995 law, gives ministries authority to decide on fees and costs for public services, which will then be approved by the cabinet. The government aims to better […] 27 mins ago
Economy Lebanon and Sudan swell Arab countries’ public debt Public debt in Arab countries swelled by nearly $142 billion at the end of 2023, mainly because of a sharp rise in obligations by Lebanon and war-battered Sudan. Total debt increased despite a fall in Egypt’s public, mostly domestic, dues as a result of a large depreciation in the pound against the US dollar. The […] 1 hour ago