China pledges to ‘work with all’ for results at Abu Dhabi WTO conference

• China, according to Wentao, supports efforts such as the restoration of the normal functioning of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism
• The minister said China also supports the inclusion of the agreement on investment facilitation for development into the WTO's legal framework

WTO chief economist applauds UAE ‘commitment’ to trade liberalization

• The WTO economist said the UAE is a "natural fit" for hosting the ministerial conference, praising the country's focus on low tariffs and export diversification
• Ossa said the conference is looking to make progress on range of issues such as the reform of dispute settlement system, constraints on subsidies leading to overfishing

Majority of WTO members sign investment deal for development

• The Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, signed by 75 percent of the WTO's members, would require full consensus before it could be formally incorporated
• Despite broad backing, some members may still oppose its integration into the WTO, including India, which typically objects to agreements that do not cover all countries

WTO convenes ministers in UAE with slim hopes for breakthrough

UAE allocates $5m to WTO’s Women Exporters In Digital Economy Fund

• The alloocation was announced by the UAE minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Chair of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference 2024, which begins in Dubai today
• The new fund aims to unlock the power of the digital economy, helping women exporters overcome financing hurdles and capture untapped opportunities

WTO launches US$50m fund for women entrepreneurs in developing countries

• The director general of WTO said the "ground-breaking initiative... embodies our collective commitment to empower women".
• The fund will help businesses run by women in developing countries to adopt digital technologies and increase their online presence.

Binaa Al Bahrain aims to create expansive mixed-use projects

• Binaa Al Bahrain aims to contribute to Bahrain’s long-term development through its iconic projects.
• The JV aspires to create job opportunities for Bahrainis in the real estate, hospitality and healthcare.

Hawkish economic approach on China has bipartisan support in US, say analysts

• Despite differences between Democrats and Republicans, analysts expect Washington's approach to Beijing will only become tougher.
• Biden has largely maintained Trump-era tariffs, rolled out export control restrictions to curtail China's ability to buy and make certain high-end chips.

Saudi Arabia announces major gas discovery in Jafurah

• The Saudi energy minister said that reserves at Jafurah had reached 229trn cubic feet of gas and 75bn barrels of condensates
• The Jafurah gas field, in Saudi Arabia's eastern province, is the largest liquid-rich shale gas play in the Middle East

Sudan economy falls victim to war between rival generals

• The finance ministry of Sudan recently raised the exchange rate for imports and exports from 650 Sudanese pounds to 950
• The World Bank in September said widespread destruction has set the country's development back by several decades