Opinion Economy Impact of EU sanctions for European companies in the Gulf GCC entities navigate a legal minefield if seen to be assisting EU companies in breaching sanctions against Russia December 7, 2022
Analysis Xi Jinping visits Saudi as GCC looks east on trade When President Xi Jinping of China arrives in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, it is likely to add further momentum to a flourishing relationship with the GCC that surpassed trade with the US and Europe combined last year. Three summits are planned during the three-day visit with over 20 agreements worth more than $29.3 billion expected […] December 7, 2022
Banking and Finance UK-based activist investor seeks ouster of BlackRock CEO Tiny activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners is taking aim at BlackRock and wants to replace longtime CEO Larry Fink, criticising the world’s largest asset manager as being inconsistent in its focus on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues. Bluebell, with roughly $250 million in assets, said BlackRock, which invests over $8 trillion, and Fink […] December 7, 2022
Banking and Finance Sovereign and pension funds with $3trn on books fear stagflation Global public pension schemes and sovereign wealth funds managing more than $3 trillion in assets fear a combination of economic slowdown and higher inflation in the next 12-24 months, a survey showed on Tuesday. The investors face huge challenges in switching their portfolios to cope, according to think tank OMFIF, which carried out the survey […] December 7, 2022
Economy Lebanon economy ‘on hold’ after fleeting summer resurgence Lebanon’s private sector cut jobs in November as declining orders spurred companies to reduce spending amid prolonged political uncertainty, according to the latest purchasing manager’s index (PMI) report. The BLOM Lebanon PMI slumped to a seven-month low of 48.1 last month, down from 49.1 in October. A reading above 50.0 shows improving business conditions, while […] December 6, 2022
Opinion Banking and Finance Spare a thought for founders fundraising over the holidays For startup founders in the throes of raising investor funds, holidays like Christmas and Ramadan can be a difficult time December 6, 2022
Analysis Banking and Finance Iraq: a hidden gem for bargain-hungry tech investors Flush with oil and boasting one of the Middle East’s largest and youngest populations, war-blighted Iraq could yet be the region’s next big investment destination. Many of the apparent disadvantages of Iraq, such as being a cash-based society and low startup valuations, present opportunities for the right investors looking to use their cash for maximum […] December 6, 2022
Banking and Finance Australia central bank raises rates to 10-year high Australia’s central bank on Tuesday raised interest rates to a 10-year high and stuck with its projection that more hikes are needed, a stance taken as slightly hawkish by markets that were looking for signs of a pause in the near term. Wrapping up its last policy meeting this year, the Reserve Bank of Australia […] December 6, 2022
Banking and Finance Moody’s sees ‘very high’ foreign exchange risk for Turkish banks Banks in countries such as Turkey and Ukraine face a “very high” risk from restrictions on capital flows, weak international reserves and a high level of foreign currency debt, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report on Monday. Belarus, El Salvador, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan complete the list of countries also exposed to high levels […] December 6, 2022
Economy Turkey’s inflation falls below 85% after a 17-month surge Turkey’s official inflation rate eased to 84.4 percent in November, its first fall in 17 months, in a sign that the economic upheaval caused by President Tayyip Erdogan’s unorthodox policies could moderate in time for elections in six months. The annual rate was just below forecast at 84.39 percent, down from a 24-year high of […] December 6, 2022
Economy UAE to launch free trade talks with Ukraine The UAE is launching negotiations for a free trade deal with Ukraine. Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign trade, and Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister and economy minister, issued a statement signalling their plan to work towards a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. The CEPA (Comprehensive Economic […] December 5, 2022
Banking and Finance MAF clinches $1.25bn sustainability-linked loan UAE-based retail group Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) has secured its second sustainability-linked loan as part of its strategy to become ‘net carbon positive’ by 2040. The $1.25 billion-equivalent revolving credit facility with First Abu Dhabi Bank was agreed on Monday. MAF, which owns and operates 29 shopping malls across the Middle East and Africa as […] December 5, 2022
Analysis Banking and Finance Abu Dhabi VC eyes booming Indian economy Abu Dhabi-based Indian venture capital (VC) firm AUM Ventures has launched a $30 million fund to offer international investors access to tech, tech-enabled and consumer startups in India. The early and pre-growth stage VC firm, which has offices in Abu Dhabi, Bangalore and Mumbai, is licensed and regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The […] December 5, 2022
Economy Egypt private sector shrinks in November after devaluation Egypt’s non-oil private sector shrank in November at its sharpest rate since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, with a weaker currency weighing on the cost and the availability of foreign goods, a survey showed on Monday. The S&P Global Egypt Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slid to 45.4 in November from 47.7 […] December 5, 2022
Economy Philippines trims 2023 GDP growth target due to global risks The Philippines on Monday lowered its economic growth target for 2023, taking into account an anticipated weakening in global activity, but retained its expansion goals for the succeeding five years. The Southeast Asian nation’s economy is now expected to grow 6-7 percent next year, a lower and narrower range compared with the previous official goal […] December 5, 2022
Banking and Finance Egypt aims to issue first Chinese yuan-denominated bonds Egypt aims to issue its first “panda” bonds by the end of this fiscal year, deputy finance minister Ahmed Kouchock said on Sunday. “We are just waiting for the right moment,” Kouchouk told an event at the American University in Cairo. Panda bonds are bonds denominated in Chinese yuan but issued by foreign borrowers. Earlier, […] December 5, 2022
Markets Saudi stock exchange launches market-making framework Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange said on Sunday it was launching a market-making framework for its stock and derivatives markets to help ensure liquidity and raise price-determination efficiency. Entities must be exchange members, derivatives exchange members or their clients to be market makers. “Market makers have to ensure the availability of liquidity for a listed security […] December 5, 2022
Economy Saudi non-oil business activity expands at fastest rate in 7 years Saudi Arabia’s non-oil business activity expanded at the fastest rate in seven years in November, supported by a sharp rise in new orders and continued confidence in the growth outlook, a survey showed on Monday. The seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 58.5 in November, from 57.2 in October, the […] December 5, 2022
Energy Saudi Aramco’s Luberef expects to raise up to $1.32bn from IPO Saudi oil giant Aramco’s base oil subsidiary Luberef expects to raise up to 4.95 billion riyals ($1.32 billion) from its initial public offering, it said, if it prices at the top of a range announced on Sunday. Luberef will sell nearly 30 percent of the company’s issued share capital, or 50.045 million shares, at between […] December 4, 2022
Agriculture Egypt to restart export of agri products to Philippines Egypt will start exporting agricultural products to the Philippines after five years of negotiations, Reuters reported, citing the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture statement. The first shipment of Egyptian citrus is expected to be exported during the current season. Egyptian agriculture exports from January 1 to August 24, 2022, reached around 4.49 million tons, Egypt Today […] December 4, 2022
Economy Bank of England warns of deeper and longer recession Bank of England rate-setter Swati Dhingra said in an interview published on Saturday that higher interest rates could lead to a deeper and longer recession, adding there were few signs that demands for higher wages risked a wage-price spiral. While most of her colleagues backed a 75 basis-point hike to three percent last month, Dhingra […] December 4, 2022
Banking and Finance Turkish central bank will continue to increase forex reserves Turkey’s central bank will continue increasing its foreign currency reserves, its governor Sahap Kavcioglu said on Friday. Forex reserves have dropped sharply in recent years due to market interventions and in the wake of a currency crisis last December. The lira lost 44 percent of its value against the US dollar last year and another […] December 4, 2022
