Abu Dhabi merges ADQ into new wealth fund L'IMAD: What to know Under the new structure, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, will oversee a broader swath of the emirate’s investment holdings. United Arab Emirates
UAE Central Bank approves first US dollar-backed stablecoin: What to know The approval marks a milestone in the UAE’s development of digital currency infrastructure and positions USDU as the Gulf country’s first USD-denominated currency for digital assets. United Arab Emirates
Iran internet blackout estimated to cost $37M+ daily, crippling businesses and society The ongoing digital disconnection is severely stalling commerce, draining millions of dollars daily and pushing many businesses toward collapse. Iran
Can Iran’s promised economic reforms quell unrest? The Iranian government has made several economic pledges to protesters, though some carry risk of increasing inflation further. Iran
Analysis Gulf wealth funds weather US stock dip, target Amazon, Bitcoin in Q1 We take a look at the region’s exposure to American equities as the US president departs the Gulf. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Mubadala investments soar by 33% as UAE deepens AI ties with US Mubadala made 119 billion Emirati dirhams ($32.4 billion) worth of investments in 2024, up 33.7% from the previous year, according to a Thursday statement from the UAE fund. United Arab Emirates
Lebanon secures initial World Bank approval for $400M loan Lebanon is seeking international support to cover an estimated $11 billion in reconstruction costs, as its government navigates ongoing political and security challenges. Lebanon
IMF appoints first Syria mission head in 14 years: What to know Syria's new government faces the task of revitalizing an economy that has been devastated by 14 years of war and ravaged by international sanctions. Syria
First Syria delegation under Sharaa visits US, will attend IMF meetings: What to know Syria's new government faces the daunting task of rebuilding an economy shattered by war and burdened with debt, ongoing sanctions and reconstruction costs. Syria
Egypt's Sisi visits Qatar, nabs $7.5B in investments: What to know President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to Doha comes amid Egypt’s moves to improve ties with Turkey and tensions with the UAE over the Gaza war. Egypt
David Petraeus, ex-CIA head, tapped to lead KKR's push into Mideast markets The newly-formed team will identify investment and partnership opportunities in the region, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the private equity firm said. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's Simsek says economy will ride out Trump tariffs without lasting scars Mehmet Simsek stressed that his government’s economic program has made the economy more resilient against internal and external shocks, highlighting that inflation has fallen and continues to drop. Turkey
UAE, Qatar investments fuel Jared Kushner's firm assets to $4.8 billion Commitments from Abu Dhabi–based asset manager Lunate and the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund, increased Affinity’s assets by $1.5 billion over a year. United Arab Emirates
Meet Karim Souaid, Lebanon’s new central bank chief with daunting mission The appointment of a new central bank governor comes nearly two years after the term of embattled governor Riad Salameh ended in July 2023. Lebanon
Imamoglu's arrest triggers emergency market measures as Turkey stocks plunge The Turkish lira and equities have fallen sharply since the arrest last week of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu — a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — on corruption charges, which he denies. Turkey
