MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
Interview
Gulf sovereign wealth funds face a strategic test amid escalating conflict
The escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is emerging as a major test for the Gulf’s sovereign...
Economy
Economy
US, China to publish details of ‘substantial’ trade talks in Geneva
The US and China will Monday give details of "substantial progress" touted by Washington on trade talks aimed at ending...
- It was the first time senior officials from the world's two largest economies have met face-to-face to talk trade since Trump imposed steep new levies on China totalling 145%
- The trade spat between Washington and Beijing has rocked financial markets and raised fears of a global economic slowdown and an inflationary spike in the United States
Economy
Asian markets rally after positive China-US trade talks
Asian stocks rallied Monday after top Chinese and US officials held "substantial" trade talks at the weekend, fuelling hopes the...
- Investors have been on a rollercoaster ride since Donald Trump unveiled eye-watering tolls on trading partners on April 2
- The US president eventually hiked the measures against China to 145 percent, which were met with retaliatory rates of 125 percent
Economy
Washington hails ‘substantive progress’ after trade talks with China
Washington expressed optimism at the end of a weekend of trade talks with China aimed to de-escalate trade tensions sparked...
- The meetings marked the first time senior officials from the two countries met since Trump slapped steep levies on China
- After the first day of negotiations, Trump had posted on Truth Social that the discussions had been "very good"
Economy
Trump hails ‘total reset’ in US-China trade relations as talks continue
Geneva, Switzerland - US President Donald Trump hailed a "total reset" in US-China trade relations, ahead of a second day...
- The discussions are the first time senior officials from the world's two largest economies have met face-to-face to tackle the thorny topic of trade
- Ahead of the meeting, Trump signaled he might lower the tariffs, suggesting on social media that an "80% Tariff on China seems right!"
Economy
US and China meet in ‘important step’ towards de-escalating trade war
Geneva, Switzerland - Senior US and Chinese officials were meeting in Geneva Saturday in what Chinese state media described as...
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were holding talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
- The talks were being held at the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva
Economy
US and China prepare for trade talks as Trump floats tariff cut
Senior US and Chinese officials are in Switzerland this weekend for talks aimed at de-escalating a burgeoning trade war sparked...
- Tariffs imposed on the Asian manufacturing giant since the start of the year currently total 145 percent, with cumulative duties on some goods reaching a staggering 245 percent.
- In retaliation, China slapped 125 percent levies on US goods, cementing what is effectively a trade embargo between the world's two largest economies
Economy
Damascus, Ankara agree natural gas deal for Syria
Damascus, Syria - Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir said Friday Damascus and Ankara had reached a deal for Turkey to...
- Syria's Islamist authorities, who toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, are seeking to rebuild the country's infrastructure
- The conflict badly damaged Syria's power infrastructure, leading to cuts that can last for more than 20 hours a day
Economy
‘Bombshell’ OPEC+ output hike hits oil price
Oil prices slumped on Monday after eight OPEC+ members announced a sharp increase in production, while Asian stocks treaded water...
- The output increase of 411,000 barrels a day announced by Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other members of the oil cartel on Saturday added to concerns about over-supply
- The price of crude has already been sliding because of fears of a global economic slowdown on the back of US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught
Geostrategy
Global rice output in 2024/25 likely to expand by 1.5%: FAO
Rome, Italy -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a new Cereal Supply and Demand...
- FAO’s latest forecast for 2025 wheat production is pegged at 795 million tons, on par with the previous year.
- FAO’s new forecast for world cereal utilization in 2024/25 stands at 2 870 million tons, a 1.0 percent increase over the 2023/24 level.
Economy
Warren Buffett says will retire from Berkshire Hathaway by year’s end
Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a medium-sized textile company when he bought it in the 1960s into a giant conglomerate,
- Buffett's success, coupled with his ability to explain his thinking in clear soundbites, has made him highly influential in the business and financial communities
- Several years ago, Buffett had already indicated that the 62-year-old Abel would be his pick for successor in an interview with CNBC
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MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
OpenAI signs $38 bn infrastructure deal with cloud giant AWS
Under the seven-year agreement, OpenAI, which is partly owned by AWS's archrival Microsoft, will gain access to computing resources including...
Business
OPEC+, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, agree further hike to their oil production
The 137,000-barrels-per-day hike will apply from December and remain at that level for the following three months, signifying a "pause"...
Economy
Social media fooled by AI video of ‘sky stadium’ for Saudi 2034 World Cup
Paris, France - An AI-generated video claiming to show one of the football stadiums for the 2034 FIFA World Cup...
Economy
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Economy
Steady and sensible, Oman builds its future brick by brick amid the Gulf’s glittering rush
With volatile geopolitics and the resulting uncertainty, the year 2025 has been challenging for most of the countries across the...
- With its resilience and steady march, Omani economy continues to smoothly navigate geo-economic volatility
- If one looks at the economic performance of Oman, there are several lessons to be learned – the foremost being slow and steady win the race
Economy
US Fed will likely cut again despite economic murkiness from shutdown
The central bank's second-to-last rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weeks-long standoff between...
- Without these key insights into the US economy, Fed officials will be forced to set interest rates without the full spectrum of data they normally rely upon.
- The US central bank has a dual mandate from Congress to act independently to tackle both inflation and unemployment.
Economy
Iran declares major lender bankrupt
Iran declared one of the country's largest private banks bankrupt with its assets absorbed by the state, official media reported...
- Founded in 2012, Ayandeh Bank had a network of 270 branches across the country, including 150 in the capital Tehran alone
- But it had more recently been crippled by debt, with accumulated losses amounting to the equivalent of about $5.2 billion