Economy Iraq’s external debt halves as projects start to pay off Iraq’s external debt has more than halved, driven by revenue-generating projects that help repay loans, according to a news report. External debt has declined to $9.8 billion from $20.9 billion, state-run Iraq News Agency reported, quoting technical advisor to the prime minister Mohammed Sahib Al-Daraji. He said the government is focussing on investing in productive […] February 7, 2025
Economy Tunisia drafts plan to merge FDI agencies into one Tunisia’s government has reviewed plans to increase foreign direct investment by merging various agencies into a new Supreme Investment Authority. The SIA would merge six investment-focused government agencies and the Tunisian Investment Authority, plus various offices at home and abroad, into one, according to the local Alshuruq newspaper. A draft law has been reviewed by […] February 7, 2025
Economy EU’s $323m grant to support Turkey’s green transition The European Union (EU) will provide a $322.8 million grant to Turkey to bolster the country’s green and digital transformation drive. The European bloc has provided over €780 million ($810 million) to support Turkey’s green transformation, Jurgis Vilcinskas, deputy head of mission of the EU delegation to Turkey, told the state-run Anadolu Agency. The grant […] February 6, 2025
Tourism Morocco aims to double airport capacity by 2030 Morocco expects airport traffic to reach 60 million passengers by 2030 and 90 million by 2035, according to a government official. The growth from 32 million passengers in 2024 is expected as a result of the 2030 Fifa World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, Morocco World News reported, quoting transport and […] February 6, 2025
Trade UAE’s foreign trade hit new peak of $817bn in 2024 The UAE’s foreign trade expanded last year at seven times the global rate of 2 percent, vice president and prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid told the the state-run Wam news agency on Wednesday. Non-oil trade grew by 42 percent year on year to AED135 billion, supported by comprehensive economic partnership agreements (Cepas), accounting for […] February 6, 2025
Tourism Marriott to convert Cairo’s Mogamma building into hotel Marriott International has agreed with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt to convert Al Mogamma Al Tahrir – a Cairo landmark and former government office – into a hotel as Egypt sells off state assets to raise funds. The 500-room hotel development is led by a group that includes Chicago-based property manager Oxford Capital Group, US […] February 5, 2025
Oil & Gas Oman invites bids for 3 onshore oil and gas blocks Oman’s energy ministry has invited investors to bid for three oil and gas concessions. The onshore concessions – Block 36, Block 43A and Block 66 – are close to the sites of previous successful explorations. Scotiabank has been listed as the point of contact for potential investors. The concessions will bring in much needed revenue […] February 5, 2025
Employment Turkey’s new strategy targets skilled jobs for youth Turkish president Tayyip Erdoğan has launched a new youth skills development programme to increase employment. The “Iskur Youth Programme” will support one million students over the next four years, equipping them with new skills and financial assistance, Daily Sabah newspaper reported, citing the president’s speech. Nearly 200,000 students will benefit from the programme this year […] February 5, 2025
Economy Egypt secures $1.6bn loan from Islamic Development Bank Egypt has secured $1.6 billion loan from Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group to support its critical sectors and encourage private sector participation in economic growth. The government has signed a $1.5 billion deal with Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), which is part of a five-year framework valued at $6 billion to enhance Egypt’s development […] February 5, 2025
Economy Cash withdrawals in Saudi Arabia rise for first time in 5 years Cash withdrawals in Saudi Arabia in 2024 increased for the first time in five years, helping to underpin a rise in consumer spending, the local advisory company Jadwa Investment has reported. Consumer spending in the largest Arab economy rose by nearly 7.5 percent for the year and the value of point of sale (POS) transactions […] February 4, 2025
Economy Saudi non-oil conditions hit 10-year high Business activity and sentiment in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector has reached its highest level in over a decade. Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) score hit 60.5 in January, up from 58.4 in December – its highest since September 2014. The pace of input price inflation at Saudi non-oil companies in January was the second-fastest […] February 4, 2025
Tourism Egypt’s tourism revenue tops $15bn in 2024 Egypt’s tourism revenues more than doubled to $15.3 billion in 2024 compared to $7.2 billion in 2014 amid a major overhaul of the industry. Inbound tourist numbers rose by 60 percent to 15.8 million last year from 9.9 million in 2014, local media outlets reported citing a report released by the cabinet’s media office. The […] February 4, 2025
Oil & Gas Saudi Arabia defers Pakistan’s oil dues ahead of IMF review Saudi Arabia has granted Pakistan an oil import financing facility, deferring oil payments of $1.2 billion by one year. The Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad and Kazim Niaz, secretary of the economic affairs division of Pakistan, signed the agreement in the presence of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, state-backed Pakistan […] February 4, 2025
Economy High costs push up Turkish inflation in January A sharp jump in costs may hinder the Turkish government’s hopes of delivering further interest rate cuts, with inflation in the services sector, housing costs and food combining to pressure the consumer price index. Inflation rose by just over 5 percent in January, according to data from state statistics agency Turkstat. This was fuelled by […] February 3, 2025
Logistics Egypt urges return of Suez Canal traffic after Gaza ceasefire Egypt has held talks with 23 maritime companies, encouraging them to resume transits through the Suez Canal following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. There are many positive indicators for the Red Sea region as stability returns, said Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). He said the SCA has been flexible […] February 3, 2025
Economy Kuwait forecasts budget deficit of more than $20bn Kuwait’s draft budget for 2025-26 projects a deficit of KD6.3 billion ($20.4 billion), the finance minister has said. Total revenue is forecast to reach KD18.2 billion, while expenditure is set at KD24.5 billion, state-run Kuna news agency reports, citing finance minister Noura Al-Fassam. Non-oil revenues are anticipated to rise 9 percent to KD2.9 billion, […] February 3, 2025
Economy Bahrain to increase oil revenue contributions to wealth fund Bahrain has approved plans to increase its contribution from its oil revenues to its Future Generations Reserve wealth fund. King Hamad of Bahrain approved a new modified savings format, amending the 2006 law that dates back to when the sovereign wealth fund was established. The fund was created to allocate and invest amounts deducted from oil […] February 3, 2025
Construction Kuwait project awards reach highest level in seven years Project activity in Kuwait has soared, and the highest value since 2017 was awarded in 2024, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) said in its quarterly report. The bank said KD2.7 billion ($8.7 billion) worth of projects were awarded in Kuwait last year, an increase of 44 percent on the previous year. The figures were supported […] February 3, 2025
Economy Kuwait consumer spending reaches record high Consumer spending in Kuwait hit record levels in 2024, underpinned by a growing preference for card payments and a thriving ecommerce industry. Figures from the Central Bank of Kuwait for 2024 showed spending reached KD47.81 billion ($155.7 billion), a rise of 4.4 percent from the previous year. The figures show an increase in card payments and […] January 30, 2025
Economy Saudi economy grows 1.3% in 2024 after Q4 surge Saudi Arabia’s economy grew by 1.3 percent in 2024 driven by a surge in the fourth quarter and growth in non-oil activities. Real GDP growth increased to 4.4 percent year on year in the last three months of 2024, having remained around 1.6 percent in the first half of the year. Growth in the non-oil […] January 30, 2025
Economy EU’s $3bn to back Jordan’s economy amid challenges The European Union (EU) will provide a €3 billion ($3.13 billion) financial package to Jordan to support its growth, as it manages the impact of regional geopolitical challenges. The 2025-2027 financial package will include €640 million in grants, €1.4 billion in investments, and €1 billion in macro-financial assistance. “Jordan is a key partner for Europe in the Middle […] January 30, 2025
Tax Oman makes key changes to draft income tax law Oman has issued a new draft personal income tax law with key amendments, raising the exemption threshold and lowering proposed tax rates. The timeline for the law’s implementation remains uncertain. The latest draft, which was delayed last year, has been approved by the State Council and Majlis Al Shura and will now move to Sultan […] January 30, 2025
