Economy GCC economic data The latest economic indicators for the Gulf Co-operation Council countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain July 22, 2024
People & Lifestyle World Bank to support Jordan’s social sectors The World Bank has approved $700 million programmes to support Jordan’s health, education and social assistance sectors. The $300 million Jordan human capital programme aims to improve the governance and effectiveness of social sectors, as well as safeguard households from the adverse effects of climate change. In addition, the $400 million Masar programme will equip […] July 2, 2024
Oil & Gas Iran, Iraq and Libya among worst offenders on gas flaring Environmentally ruinous flaring of gas at upstream oil and gas facilities has risen to its highest level for five years, despite pledges to end the practice, the World Bank has said. Iran, Iraq and Libya were among the biggest contributors in 2023, according to a World Bank report published on June 20. Along with six […] June 25, 2024
Economy World Bank’s $700m push for Egypt’s private sector The World Bank will provide $700 million in funding to Egypt to address short-term economic challenges. The development policy financing (DPF) will aid in supporting the Egyptian government’s focus towards more private sector participation. The financing will further advance structural reforms to level the playing field to support private sector growth, build macroeconomic and fiscal […] June 25, 2024
Agriculture Turkey and World Bank unite to combat wildfires Turkey has launched a $400 million project with the World Bank to protect the country from wildfires. The Turkey Climate Resilient Forests Project will strengthen the country’s ability to protect people and property from the fires. Almost 230,000 hectares of Turkey’s forests were damaged or destroyed completely between 2012 and 2021, with more than 61 […] May 31, 2024
Renewable Energy Turkey’s renewables scheme given $1bn by World Bank The World Bank has signed a $1 billion programme with Turkey to fast-track the nation’s renewable energy expansion initiatives. The financing comprises €600 million ($657 million) in loans from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, $30 million from the clean technology fund, and $3 million in grant funding from the World Bank’s energy sector management assistance […] May 17, 2024
Economy Egyptian businesses yet to feel effect of $60bn new funding The close to $60 billion in new funding announced for Egypt in recent months has yet to trickle down to average business people in the country, according to the results of a new monthly survey. Difficult market conditions in Egypt continued in April as the monthly S&P Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) slid from 47.6 […] May 9, 2024
Economy World Bank lowers Egypt’s growth forecast again The World Bank has downgraded Egypt’s growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 2.8 percent, the lowest for 11 years, despite recent investment in the country of nearly $60 billion. In its latest Middle East and North Africa economic update, the bank blamed “sluggish industrial sector performance” and the effects of war in the […] April 17, 2024
Economy World Bank raises UAE’s economic growth outlook The World Bank has raised its UAE economic growth forecast for 2024 and 2025, citing robust non-oil sector growth and higher oil output. The real GDP growth projection for the Gulf state was revised to 3.9 percent this year, up from its previous forecast of 3.7 percent in January, the World Bank said in its […] April 16, 2024
Economy UAE to advance talks on debt sustainability at global event The UAE’s finance ministry intends to advance discussions on global macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability at the 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). The spring meetings will be held in Washington, D.C., from April 15 to 20. The UAE will also promote a dialogue to address […] April 15, 2024
Opinion Economy In the Gulf, the age of the petrodollar will not be ending soon GCC currency pegs have provided stability for 40 years. The dollar remains the best bet for oil exporters April 2, 2024
Opinion Economy Egypt must deal with its fundamental challenges Abu Dhabi's cash injection offers short-term relief but serious budgetary issues remain March 21, 2024
Economy Egypt to get $20bn loan from global funders says minister The expanded loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will allow Egypt to receive more than $20 billion in additional funding from global financial institutions. The additional funding is expected from the World Bank, the European Union (EU), the African Development Bank, the Arab Monetary Fund and others, finance minister Mohamed Maait told a […] March 11, 2024
Sustainability Turkey sets up green fund with $155m World Bank loan Turkey has set up its first green venture capital fund to support its target of net zero by 2053. The Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB) has secured a $155 million loan from the World Bank for the Turkey Green Fund (TGF). The financing was secured under the Turkish ministry of treasury and finance guarantee, TSKB said in […] December 15, 2023
Opinion Economy Sisi’s third term heralds a new economic blueprint Financial crisis looms but Egypt is 'too big to fail' December 14, 2023
Energy World Bank warns of record oil prices if war escalates Oil prices could hit record highs of $150 a barrel if the war between Israel and Hamas escalates into a wider conflict, according to an economic risk assessment from the World Bank. In its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank cautioned that the cost of crude could enter “uncharted waters”. It outlined three risk […] October 31, 2023
Economy Tunisia yet to propose new terms for $1.9bn IMF loan Tunisia has not yet proposed new terms for a long-pending $1.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, according to the fund’s Middle East and Central Asia director Jihad Azour. Speaking at IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco this week, Azour called for the elimination of “wasteful and socially unfair subsidies” before the fund’s board could […] October 13, 2023
Banking & Finance Lebanon to ditch Sayrafa currency exchange platform Lebanon’s cabinet has approved the replacement of the controversial Sayrafa currency exchange platform with a new one run through the Bloomberg trading system. Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari gave no indication of a time frame for the replacement when he spoke to reporters this week, saying only that the new platform would come into effect […] September 8, 2023
Opinion Economy With Saudi on side, the Brics can change the world The group gathering for its summit could be the architect and engineer of a different world order August 22, 2023
Banking & Finance Saudi deposits $5bn in Turkey’s central bank Saudi Arabia has made a $5 billion deposit into the central bank of Turkey to support its economy. The deposit, first pledged in November, comes after the devastating impact of last month’s earthquake. It was made on Monday through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and will “contribute to bolstering the Turkish economy by addressing […] March 6, 2023
Development Abu Dhabi and World Bank unit to invest $1.5bn in emerging markets Abu Dhabi and a World Bank subsidiary have agreed to invest up to $1.5 billion in sustainable private sector-led projects in emerging markets. Under the memorandum of co-operation, which was signed at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the World Bank’s IFC (International Finance Corporation) will […] February 15, 2023
Opinion Banking & Finance Let’s make it faster and cheaper to send money home Millions of families depend on the funds sent by loved ones overseas. Policymakers and industry must simplify the process now August 2, 2022
