Syria finance chief meets US, World Bank officials as Trump admin pushes more sanction relief Less than two weeks ago, the US Senate approved a measure to repeal the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act sanctions on Syria as part of its 2026 defense budget. Syria
Interview Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability The London-based lender is seeing an increase in demand from Gulf investors in UK real estate as US markets have become less predictable. Khaled Alanani Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East
Singapore's DBS Group, Banque Saudi Fransi ink Asia-Gulf trade deal Trade between Southeast Asia and the GCC reached about $130.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by another $50 billion by 2027, according to the Singaporean lender. Saudi Arabia
Libyans rush banks amid cash crunch, government to print $11B in dinars to ease crisis The Libyan Central Bank has been printing more money in response to cash shortages in the country, as falling oil prices and corruption take their toll. Libya
Culture Marrakech's African Contemporary Art Museum reinvents itself two years after quake Marking the two-year anniversary of the 2023 earthquake, Marrakech’s Museum of African Contemporary Art highlights the city’s recovery and its growing role as a hub for African art. Morocco
Blackstone, Abu Dhabi's Lunate set up $5B GCC logistics investment platform The new platform will capitalize on the growing logistics sector in the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
PayPal, UAE's DP World sign MoU to speed digital payments Under the agreement, international transactions are expected to be executed in minutes rather than take up to a week. United Arab Emirates
UAE wealth fund ADIA scoops into $18B Haagen-Dazs owner Froneri The UAE sovereign wealth fund has become a co-investor in Froneri in a deal valuing the global ice cream firm at about $18 billion. United Arab Emirates
What’s next for Saudi Arabia’s budget balancing act as deficit doubles? The Gulf state now expects a deficit of $65.3 billion in 2025 — more than double the initial forecast — as the kingdom continues heavy spending amid weak oil prices. Saudi Arabia
Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said. Iran
PayPal bets $100M as Middle East’s Gulf fintech giants amplify competition The move from the US payments giant comes amid a flurry of activity that has further cemented the Gulf’s fintech sector on the map for global investors — including Saudi Arabia's Tamara, which recently secured a $2.4 billion financing deal. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia's PIF buys $2B majority stake in entertainment giant MBC The deal highlights the PIF’s continued expansion into the regional media and entertainment sector in accordance with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda. Saudi Arabia
Google Pay, China’s Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia amid cashless push Both payment platforms will use mada, the kingdom’s national payment system. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event. Saudi Arabia
Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia
UK's Revolut enters Middle East fintech market with UAE licenses The Central Bank of the UAE has granted Revolut in-principle approval for stored value facilities and retail payment services licenses. United Arab Emirates
