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
UAE deepens Asia ties as Malaysia, Australia trade deals kick in Asia accounts for around 60% of the world’s gross domestic product and pursuing trade deals there helps the UAE hedge against dependence on both the US and China. 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
After China, Saudi industry minister visits Vietnam in eastward economic push Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met with a number of Vietnamese officials on Monday as the oil-rich Gulf kingdom looks east to diversify its economic alliances. Saudi Arabia
Analysis OECD forecasts 3.7% growth for Saudi Arabia, citing US tariff shield By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE to join BRICS The Shanghai-headquartered New Development Bank, or so-called “BRICS bank”, had already admitted the UAE and Egypt as shareholders. Iran
Analysis Saudi holdings of US Treasuries hit record low, signaling push to diversify from dollar Saudi Arabia's stockpile of US Treasuries fell to $108.1 billion in June, the lowest point since December 2016. By Salim A. Essaid
Protests in southern Syria as economy worsens Syria’s economy is in tatters, and the removal of subsidies has led to relatively rare protests in government territory. Syria
Israel’s inflation drops to 3.3%, beating expectations Inflation in Israel has dropped to 3.3% from 4.2% in June, even as analysts predicted it would rise in July. Israel
Why did Turkey restrict gold imports as it rolled new economic measures? Observers believe Turkey’s new economic leadership is unlikely to take strong measures to curb inflation before Erdogan gets through local elections in March 2024. Turkey
In radical shift, Israel's El Al airline in talks to buy Airbus planes El Al is in "serious" talks with Airbus to purchase new planes but continues to negotiate with Boeing as well. Israel
Tunisia, Libya strike deal on stranded sub-Saharan African migrants Anti-migrant sentiment in Tunisia has led to a crisis on the border with Libya, adding to Tunisia’s political and economic woes. North Africa
Egypt’s headline inflation hits all-time high of 38.2% in July Surging food prices helped July’s headline inflation numbers break the record of 36.8% in June. Egypt
Egypt’s power cuts persist amid heat, declining natural gas production Egypt wants to export more natural gas, including in cooperation with neighboring Israel, but domestic production is declining amid the government’s efforts to reduce consumption. Egypt
From Beijing to Chengdu, UAE’s ENOC establishes first China jet fuel network The Dubai government-owned oil and gas company said the expansion will extend to strategic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. United Arab Emirates
Ukraine sanctions Israeli-Georgian billionaire accused of backing Russia Israeli press reported today that Israeli-Georgian businessman Mikhael Mirilashvili, considered close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was blacklisted by Ukraine several months ago. Israel
Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Iran
