Analysis Energy Middle East needs stronger policies to expand carbon capture A lack of firm policy, regulatory frameworks and funding is limiting carbon capture capacity development in the Middle East and Africa, according to an industry expert. Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) involves separating out the carbon dioxide created in industrial processes, then treating it and using in other processes or storing it. Globally CCUS […] July 19, 2024
Video length: 04:06 VIDEO Banking & Finance GCC investors in UK warned of new tax liabilities The newly elected Labour government is expected to introduce a range of tax changes that will impact British expatriates living overseas, non-doms and the UK’s community of wealthy foreign investors. Tax consultants suggest that GCC investors considering selling their UK assets should do it “sooner rather than later” to escape the hikes that could significantly […] July 17, 2024
Finance Turkey targets business with steep taxes to raise revenue Multinational corporations operating in Turkey face a steep increase in their tax bills, thanks to one of the new revenue-raising measures outlined by the government in draft legislation aimed at narrowing the budget deficit. Under the new tax reforms, tabled before the parliament on July 16, multinationals with more than $817.6 million in annual consolidated […] July 17, 2024
Analysis Business of Sport Saudi football spending tipped to tumble as economy falters Saudi Arabia’s domestic football ambitions may have to take a back seat this year as the kingdom focuses on funding its $1.25 trillion giga-projects programme, according to analysts. Last summer Saudi Pro League clubs spent close to $1 billion signing the likes of Neymar, Ruben Neves and N’Golo Kante. This year’s transfer window is expected […] July 14, 2024
Analysis Agriculture Balancing the scales of Morocco’s food exports Free trade access to the EU and UK markets, and a longer – or at least different – growing season mean that Moroccan farmers are producing bumper exports that are helping to reshape the country’s economy around agriculture. However, those exports are drawing criticism from those who believe the country should prioritise its citizens’ own […] July 11, 2024
Analysis Health Affordable healthcare in the GCC: a prescription for profit The GCC’s affordable healthcare market is ripe for investment, research suggests, as patients are forced to travel to India, Thailand or Egypt to find cheap treatment. Low-income inhabitants make up about 38 percent of the Gulf’s total population, according to Mansoor Ahmed, executive director for healthcare at Colliers Middle East in Dubai. The proportion ranges […] July 10, 2024
Analysis Economy UAE economic growth brings rise in court disputes, say lawyers Debt recovery cases in Dubai and the wider UAE are increasing, a pair of local law firms told AGBI, citing anecdotal evidence from their practices. Behind the trend, they said, are various factors, chief among them being the influx into the emirates of new businesses from around the world. Also contributing are a host of […] July 9, 2024
Analysis Renewable Energy Austerity threatens Egypt’s green energy progress Sprawling over 37 sq km of desert north of Egyptian city of Aswan, the Benban Solar Park is one of the largest photovoltaic power plants in the world. Made up of 41 individual solar plants, the park’s investors boast it can be seen from space. Launched in 2018 and now at 1.8 gigawatt capacity, in […] July 9, 2024
Analysis Finance GCC investors can make money in Starmer’s Britain Labour’s historic win on election day has reinforced the bullish case for investing in UK assets. Sir Keir Starmer promises to bring fiscal discipline to the UK at a time when its $3 trillion economy is just emerging from a technical recession, exports are rising and inflation has fallen sharply from its 11 percent post-pandemic […] July 5, 2024
Video length: 08:38 Economy Omani lower house approves income tax Oman is on the verge of becoming the first Gulf nation to introduce a personal income tax, as it seeks to diversify revenue streams beyond oil in line with its Vision 2040 plan. The Majlis al-Shura, the lower house of the Omani parliament, approved a draft law last week, forwarding it to the State Council, […] July 3, 2024
Video length: 08:38 Opinion Finance My election forecast: UK nationals in Gulf should brace for tax reforms A new Labour government will need to raise taxes and GCC residents will not be immune July 2, 2024
Analysis Agriculture Weather and politics keep pressure on price of rice The status of rice as a global food staple means that it is also a political minefield for producer nations. So all eyes are on India as rice prices fluctuate at around a 15-year high. Different varietals and markets command different prices, but trading on “contracts for difference”, which track benchmark prices, saw the cost of […] June 27, 2024
Opinion Economy We need to talk about the American debt spiral Even a resilient Gulf may be at risk from US financial contagion June 24, 2024
Economy Turkey to impose minimum corporate and income taxes Turkey has finished work on a proposed new economic reform plan, which includes a minimum corporate and income tax to increase the take from direct taxes. The package, which will be submitted to the parliament soon, proposes a minimum 15 percent corporate tax on multi-national companies with more than €750 million ($804 million) in annual […] June 21, 2024
Analysis Economy Wealthy migrants to UAE boost luxuries but stir inflation The UAE is likely to attract a new surge of ultra-rich migrants, lured by low tax rates, high-privacy settings and a luxurious lifestyle, at a time of global geopolitical upheaval and heightened anti-money laundering measures in developed countries. But, while the wave of wealth is likely to stimulate specialised sectors of the economy, the arrivals […] June 20, 2024
Analysis Economy Egypt shows signs of recovery after landmark IMF deal Last Friday marked 100 days since Egypt, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) second-biggest debtor after Argentina, agreed its latest loan. Eased by a $35 billion development deal with the UAE and increased international concern for Egypt’s economic stability following the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the deal drew a line under more than two […] June 17, 2024
Banking & Finance Tax on foreigners may be axed to boost Saudi bond market The tax on foreign investment in Saudi corporate bonds may be scrapped in an effort to boost the market. Saudi Arabia’s Capital Markets Authority has issued a report describing the 5 percent withholding tax on interest payments to corporate bondholders as “unattractive and discouraging for foreign institutional investors”. It called for “easing tax requirements for […] June 13, 2024
Markets Turkey to tax crypto and stock market earnings Turkey is planning to tax income earned from cryptocurrency and stock market trades, as the government seeks new revenue streams to help shore up its public finances. The measures were part of a package unveiled by the finance minister Mehmet Şimşek at a gathering of senior officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party on […] June 5, 2024
Analysis Economy 642 million votes counted … now India can get back to business Narendra Modi has claimed victory in India’s election – and many in the Gulf will be delighted at the prospect of a third Modi term. The prime minister’s pro-business credentials and economically liberalising tendencies remain credible, if battered, after 10 years in office. His Bharatiya Janata Party did not perform as well as expected, however, […] June 5, 2024
Aviation Sustainability chief calls for tax on oil companies Oil companies should be taxed and renewable alternatives incentivised in order to meet ambitious sustainability targets in the aviation industry, according to the sector’s industry trade body. “It’s too easy today to make money by drilling for oil,” said Dr Marie Owens Thomsen, senior vice president for sustainability and chief economist at the International Air […] June 4, 2024
Finance UAE and Qatar in deal to avoid double taxation The UAE and Qatar have signed an agreement to prevent double taxation and curb fiscal evasion of income taxes. The agreement will enhance financial, economic, and investment partnerships between the two nations, UAE minister of state for financial affairs Mohamed Al Hussaini said. The move will bolster coordination and cooperation in tax matters, open up […] May 31, 2024
Opinion Finance A Labour government should not frighten the horses The UK general election is likely to mean changes, but Gulf citizens need not be too worried May 27, 2024
