World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Turkey
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
Analysis With Saudi Aramco's $50 billion deal, Turkey seeks less dependency on West The two major regional powers had grown distant over the years due to Erdogan’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and the 2018 killing at the consulate in Istanbul of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
UAE to cooperate with Hong Kong on fintech, crypto as China ties grow China’s relations with the UAE and other Gulf states are strengthening, particularly regarding economic and energy matters. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: What to expect in Turkey's first ever election runoff Though polls give a lead to the incumbent president, a victory by the main opposition leader in Sunday’s presidential runoff seems still possible depending on a combination of challenging factors. Turkey
Qatar forum warns of economic downturn, shift in cryptocurrency One Qatar Economic Forum participant says it will take at least a generation to reach a point where the world can depend on clean power. Qatar
Qatar rolls out $275M market program in latest foreign investment push The Qatar Investment Authority is setting up a market-making initiative to draw in more foreign investor interest and build up its capital markets. Qatar
Double trouble: Lebanon’s Salameh gets second arrest warrant from Germany Riad Salameh is under increased scrutiny in Europe on suspicions of money laundering at a time Lebanon is grappling with a deteriorating financial and economic crisis. Lebanon
Turkey Elections: Currency fears grow ahead of presidential runoff Turkey’s foreign exchange crunch has become so grave that the authorities would even go for limiting cash withdrawals from credit cards to keep the Turkish lira from plunging. Turkey
Israel raises interest rates to highest level since 2006 The Israeli economy was also affected by the government’s controversial judicial reform plans earlier in the year, though the situation may normalize following the reform’s pause. Israel
Germany, Italy hold talks with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strengthen energy ties Italy is looking for capital from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for a new fund Rome is setting up to help domestic companies in strategically important sectors. Saudi Arabia
Morocco’s economy to benefit as EU drops it from money laundering list The North African country was removed from the list of high-risk countries for money laundering and terrorism financing in a decision announced by the European Commission on Wednesday. Morocco
Coinbase 'welcomed' to Abu Dhabi's Hub71, hinting at new base in UAE Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said at a Dubai-based tech event that the UAE could serve as a hub for parts of the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. United Arab Emirates
