Mideast private equity down 38%, but higher-value deals dominate Saudi Arabia was the region’s most active market with 13 transactions, followed by the UAE with 12. Saudi Arabia
Wealthy flock to UAE, fueling Dubai’s 32% company surge: What to know Gulf states are diversifying their economies away from reliance on oil, and the UAE is leading the charge, with the country on track to welcome nearly 10,000 high-net-worth individuals this year. United Arab Emirates
Meet Karim Attiyeh, youngest Arab American billionaire of Lebanese origin Karim Attiyeh, a Lebanese-born technologist, has been named by Forbes Middle East as the youngest billionaire of Arab origin in the United States, joining the list of the 125 richest immigrant billionaires in the US. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia to invest $6B in Syria in boost to Sharaa: What to know The kingdom has been at the forefront of diplomatic and economic efforts to support Syria's recovery. Syria
20% rise in Middle East late-stage venture capital funding despite global decline Startups in the Middle East and North Africa have so far in 2023 reported a 20% year-on-year growth, new data shows, while global funding activity of this type has seen a 49% decline from 2022. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis China's venture capital firms making inroads in Saudi Arabia, UAE Chinese venture capital investors have been pricing deals at more competitive rates and taking advantage of a widening vacuum left by Western rivals in the region. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Aramco makes first global LNG investment with US MidOcean stake MidOcean Energy is in the midst of buying interests in four LNG projects in Australia as part of its growth strategy. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday. By Salim A. Essaid
Oman's oil and gas sector drives 30% GDP growth in 2022 Oman’s hydrocarbon sector growth rate was 61.6% from 2021 to 2022, compared to non-hydrocarbon sector growth at 16.9% during the same period, according to the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) 2022 Annual Report. Oman
China development financier AIIB opens first global office in UAE Bank officials expect that the new Abu Dhabi location will help extend their reach to finance sustainable development projects. United Arab Emirates
UAE revenue jumps 31.8% in 2022 The UAE Ministry of Finance reported a 6.1% increase in expenditure last year compared to 2021, which amounted to around $116.3 billion. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s central bank mulls giant interest rate hike up to 10% to fight inflation Alarmed by resurging price increases, central bank officials reportedly believe that a rate hike of up to 10 percentage points is an inevitable part of monetary tightening to tackle inflation. Turkey
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 will benefit Islamic finance sector, says Moody’s The kingdom has the largest Islamic banking market in the world, and roughly 83% of its total assets are Sharia-compliant. Saudi Arabia
World Bank official says Turkey's economic U-turn 'step in right direction’ The comments from the institution’s Turkey director follow the Turkish government finally raising interest rates to battle inflation. But the Turkish economy is still struggling. Turkey
Islamic finance will be 'crucial part' of climate transition: UK official The UK is seen as a Western hub for the industry due to its high presence of Islamic banks and more than 70 sukuk bonds being listed on the London Stock Exchange. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran give BRICS economic boost, but won’t rival US leadership Tangible economic benefits may be some distance away, experts say, but the symbolic benefit is joining an alliance separate from, or opposed to, Western interests. Iran
