Economy Geopolitical tensions and low rain may stifle Morocco’s GDP growth Morocco’s economy is expected to pick up in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to increased consumer spending, but the momentum faces a risk as a result of geopolitical tensions and low levels of rainfall, a government agency has said. The country’s GDP grew by around 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared […] January 16, 2025
Economy Turkey faces $3bn payout for pensioners and wage support Turkey will have to pay out an estimated TL110.8 billion ($3.12 billion) after increasing minimum pension payments and wage support to companies. Vedat Isıkhan, the labour minister, announced on January 7 that the minimum monthly state pension would be increased by 15.75 percent, taking the base rate payment to TL14,469 ($409). Nearly 3.87 million pensioners will benefit […] January 16, 2025
Economy Inflation, not war, is Gulf states’ top concern, says WEF Economic concerns such as inflation dominate risk perception for the coming year in the Gulf and across Mena, according to the World Economic Forum. Its survey of thousands of experts and business leaders, the Global Risks Report 2025, found that geopolitical conflict was the No 1 risk globally, selected by respondents as the “most likely […] January 15, 2025
Trade Cepa aims to grow UAE and Malaysia trade by 60% The UAE and Malaysia have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Cepa) that is expected to be a catalyst for a 60 percent increase in trade between the two nations over the next five years. The countries concluded negotiations for a Cepa deal in October, which will reduce or eliminate tariffs, streamline trade procedures and […] January 15, 2025
Trade Iraq and UK sign $15bn deal to strengthen trade ties Iraq has signed a set of agreements with the UK worth £12.3 billion ($14.98 billion) as the two countries aim to bolster their growing trade relationship. The package, more than 10 times last year’s total UK-Iraq bilateral trade, was disclosed following a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani […] January 15, 2025
Trade UAE and New Zealand trade to triple after Cepa deal Trade between the UAE and New Zealand is set to more than triple following the signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in Abu Dhabi. The countries agreed on a Cepa deal in September, which will provide New Zealand with 100 percent duty-free access to imports from the UAE. The UAE will grant duty-free access […] January 15, 2025
