Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know The plant in Duqm plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030. China
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense spending surges The UAE and Saudi Arabia are staging a notable presence at IDEF 2025, Turkey’s major defense industry exhibition taking place in Istanbul. Both nations are leveraging the expo to reinforce regional partnerships and solidify new joint ventures. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Oman launches $200M clean energy fund with China’s Templewater China, a major clean energy player in its own right, already has multiple investments in the sector in Oman, particularly in solar and wind. Oman
Analysis Gulf growth forecast bright but Israel-Iran war threatens to derail outlook The World Bank had predicted economic growth among Gulf Cooperation Council states to increase in 2025 and 2026, but experts are skeptical due to the regional conflict. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Gulf Al-Monitor Gulf: Oman reenters diplomatic arena to host US-Iran talks By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Oman to allow residents to take international flights Oman's government also announced it would extend a lockdown on the Dhofar and Masirah regions. Oman
Has China gained an edge on the US in the Gulf? China has upped the ante, but the United States holds the winning hand; Oman weighs risks and benefits of Gulf bailout; will migrant workers return to GCC? Legacy: Gulf
Oman weighs costs of bailout from Gulf neighbors Gulf countries might step up to keep Oman’s public finances afloat, but experts warn strings may be attached. Saudi Arabia
GCC faces possible setback with exodus of skilled professionals The coronavirus pandemic coupled with the oil crisis is pushing foreign workers to exit the Gulf states, perhaps shaping future labor policies. Saudi Arabia
Oman’s state-owned entities change hands As the newly-formed Oman Investment Authority takes over most of the Gulf country’s public assets, questions arise as to whether this is streamlining the administration, economic reform or power consolidation? Oman
Oman will make it easier for expat workers to switch jobs Under a previous order, foreign workers were barred from switching companies without explicit permission from their employers. Oman
Oman’s public sector reform risks brain drain By letting go of thousands of foreign experts, Oman risks losing the know-how central to achieving economic diversification. Oman
In latest spending cut, Oman not renewing majority of foreign consultant contracts Contracts will not be renewed for at least 70% of foreign experts and consultants working for the Omani government. Oman
Oman ending lockdown in capital Restrictions in other parts of the country to remain in place as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Oman
Gulf’s megaprojects face delays, reassessment Saudi Arabia has cut capital expenditure for a number of Vision 2030 projects amid a drop in oil prices and Chinese investment. Will other Gulf states follow suit? Saudi Arabia
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Oman’s sovereign wealth fund under pressure Ahead of the prospect of a high budget deficit in 2020, assets held by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) plunged by about a third to $14.3 billion. Oman