Despite sanctions, Iran oil exports hit six-year high: report
Tehran, Iran - Iran managed to sell an average of 1.56 million barrels per day during the first quarter of this year, primarily to China, data from Vortexa reveals. This marks the highest export level since the third quarter of 2018.The success in oil exports highlights the challenges faced by...
Turkey eyes cooperation in agriculture sector with Iraq, says minister
Turkey wants joint cooperation with Iraq regarding the exchange of products, its Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said. "Turkey is in the process of cooperating in all fields with Iraq, whether agricultural or other," said Pakdemirli to the local media. He noted that his country suffers during this...Saudi fund signs debt deferral MoU with Cameroon
The debt deferral agreement has been signed in line with the G20 initiative of 2020 led by Saudi Arabia which was in regard of debts deferral owed by the poorest countries.Inflation, geopolitics might worsen credit conditions: S&P
The credit ratings agency has said the prospects for global economic growth have softened, even if it was to a modest extent.Saudi economy grew 6.8% in Q4, 3.3% in 2021
The data was released on Thursday, February 10, by the country’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).Saudi coffee legacy percolates through the generations
Saudi Aramco, the oil company, will establish a coffee center in Jizan while using "advanced irrigation techniques to improve agricultural capacity".UAE climbs to 3rd globally in Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index
The UAE is the most competitive emerging market in GCC and the third most competitive on a global scale after China and India, according to the annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index. The UAE led all 50 countries in the Index in creating the best business conditions and in the...High energy prices put more pressure on Turks
When temperatures plunged well below freezing in Ankara and energy prices soared, Dondu Isler had to make a tough choice to both stay warm and keep her soaring utility bills down. She turned off the heating in two bedrooms of her apartment. "Only the living room and the kitchen were...Godsend or ‘ghetto’: Syrian migrants flock to small Cyprus town
The Cypriot government says the divided country has the highest number of first-time asylum applications in the European Union per capita.Qatar Industrial Co. posts net profit of $38m in 2021
Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. has reported a net profit of $38m for 2021 in comparison to net profit of $23m for the same period of the previous year.New guidelines for Umrah pilgrims announced by Saudi ministry
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced an update in the procedures for entering Saudi Arabia for Umrah, which is one of the key non-oil sources of income for the kingdom. This is done to ensure the health and safety of the Umrah Performers and visitors, the ministry said. Based...First edition of leading global event on defense to kick off in Saudi
The World Defense Exhibition (WDE) declared that its first edition will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 6-9, 2022, according to media reports. WDE is a leading global event on defense and security. The exhibition will begin with an opening ceremony that includes live demonstrations of the capabilities...Cooper Fitch forecasts strong GCC hiring activity to continue in 2022
The Gulf Cooperation Council region witnessed a 40 percent rise in job creation in the last quarter of 2021 compared to the corresponding period of 2020, and hiring activity will continue to strengthen in 2022, said recruitment specialist Cooper Fitch. Job creation across the region was driven primarily by a...Bahrain to offer permanent residency visa to attract talent
Bahrain has launched ‘Golden Residency Visa’ for residents and non-residents with immediate processing of the applications electronically upon meeting the prescribed criteria.High electricity bills in Jordan due to rise in winter consumption: Regulator
Jordan’s Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission ascribed any rise in the electricity bill to high demand during this winter when the electricity load was at 4,010 megawatts.Tunisia police blockade dissolved judicial watchdog
Saied has pushed the country down a dangerous route back towards autocracy, says critics.Lebanon fuel distributors say no diesel crisis in the country
Lebanon’s Fuel Distributors Representative Fadi Abu Chakra has confirmed that "there is no diesel oil crisis" in the country. The rumors of oil crisis started to circulate after a ship carrying 42 thousand tons of diesel met with a marine accident due to strong winds near the Amchit coast. Abu...CBD signs a debt financing deal with Postpay
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has approved a debt financing deal with Postpay, a leading omni-channel Buy Now, Pay Later (BPNL) provider in the Middle East.Dubai imposes tariff on single-use plastic bags to limit their use
Dubai has approved a policy to limit single-use plastic bags by imposing a tariff of 25 fils on such bags from 1 July 2022. The tariff will be implemented in all stores across Dubai including, but not limited to, retail stores, textile and electronic stores, restaurants, pharmacies, online and e-commerce...How much gold and forex do Arab countries have?
Foreign exchange and gold reserves come in handy in many ways when a country is trying to ride out an economic crisis.Turkey lifts ban on importing scrap metals from Lebanon after ministerial meet
Turkey has lifted the ban on importing scrap metals from Lebanon, which could secure about $100 million annually for Lebanon, according to Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam. Salam said that during his meeting in Ankara with Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet MuÅŸ, Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu and Foreign Minister...Toshiba to split into 2 firms
This is a revision of an earlier proposal to divide into three companies.Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21
Every month of border closures has cost businesses an estimated US$2.6 billion, according to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and IndustryWhich GCC countries have largest renewable capacity?
From solar farms to wind energy, the infrastructure is being put in place at varying paces by GCC nations.Smart Madinah Forum 2022 kicks off
The forum aims at discussing concepts of smart cities and their relations to improving the quality of life.Participants from 42 countries to attend Abu Dhabi Date Palm Conference
The 7th International Date Palm Conference will be held at Emirates Palace Hotel, in Abu Dhabi, from 14th to 16th March, 2022, local media reports said. A total of 475 international researchers, and experts, from 42 countries are likely to attend the conference. Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence Sheikh Nahyan...Saudi sukuk issuance in 2021 reaches $36.9 billion: S&P Ratings
Saudi companies and government raised $36.9 billion sukuk in 2021, compared to $27 billion in 2020, an increase of 37 percent, and $28.6 billion in 2019, according to S&P Global Ratings In 2021, while the global sukuk issuance reached $$147.4 billion compared with $$148.4 billion in 2020, foreign-currency denominated sukuk...Protests erupt in Lebanon against harsh economic policies
A group of engineers in Lebanon held a sit-in protest outside the Central Bank branch in Sidon, in conjunction with similar stands outside BDL’s branches in Beirut and other regions.Dubai Supreme Council of Energy approves 2030 carbon strategy
The approval came at a meeting chaired by the council’s chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.Tunisia president dissolves top judicial watchdog
Kais Saied has concentrated all executive power since July 25, when he dismissed his Prime Minister and suspended parliament.Oman fines men for wearing wrong dishdasha
The hallmark of the Gulf sultanate, the long and elegant robes Dishdashas, have fallen prey to rising hemlines and elaborate embroidery, with some wearers also going for multicolored designs.Syrian opposition groups make new bid to unite against Assad
The political groups, now mainly based abroad, have seen their influence wane in recent years as Iran and Russia steadfastly supported the Syrian president after he launched a deadly crackdown on protesters in 2011 that quickly descended into civil war.Data cover: GCC sees rise in cyber insurance demand
Compared to Europe and US, cyber insurance is a profitable proposition for GCC firms due to amenable market factors such as low litigation environment.Iran says Russia will invest $83.58m in Sirik power plant
Iran has confirmed that Russia will invest $83.58 million in Sirik power plant based in southern Iran.Iraq keen to benefit from Egypt: Central Bank Governor
Iraq is keen to benefit from the Egyptian Investment Authority, the Governor of Iraq’s Central Bank Mustafa Ghaleb said on Friday.QatarEnergy, partners announce oil discovery offshore Namibia
The consortium partners comprise QatarEnergy, Shell and National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia "NAMCOR".Jordan looks to reform old tax system to propel growth
Jordan is looking to reform its old tax system in order to pave way for growth in national economy. In this regard members of the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) presented many ideas during a virtual JEF dialogue session held recently.Former Bundesbank chief appointed to head IMF expert panel
The expert group will conduct an independent review with a view to identifying how the Fund can ensure it has in place effective channels for complaint, dissent and accountability.Saudi, UAE indices fluctuate through the week
From oil prices to company stocks buoyed by positive results, several factors resulted in changes in key benchmark indices.Policy reforms help Saudi FDI inflow rise 326%
The Kingdom seeks to increase its net FDI inflow by 1,816 percent between 2021 and 2030, raising it to $103.5 billion annually by 2030, up from $5.4 billion in 2020.Dubai hosts 7m tourists in a ‘remarkable turnaround’
More than seven million foreign tourists visited Dubai last year, marking a "remarkable turnaround", the government of the Gulf city state hosting the Expo world fair announced Thursday. Dubai has since October 1 hosted Expo 2020 which runs until March 31.Oman signs three agreements worth $244m with Saudi Fund for Development
Oman has signed three agreements RO 94 million ($244 million) with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for supporting SMEs and infrastructure development. The first MoU dealt with supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a soft loan portfolio of RO 57.6 million catering to SME projects in governorates. The...Non-Jordan investors buy less, sell more at Amman bourse
The net of non-Jordanian investments during January 2022 showed a negative value of JD5 million ($7.05 million).IMF will only support a ‘comprehensive program’ for Lebanon
Lebanese officials began talks with the IMF last month to pull the country out of the worst economic crisis in its history. Despite the economic collapse, Lebanon’s ruling class has blocked reforms that foreign donors say must happen before aid is dispensed.Oil prices help GCC economies script revival story
GCC countries appear to be reaping the benefits of their efforts this year, with all indications pointing to the economies making significant progress.Middle East Energy Event to address future of energy transition
The Middle East Energy Event (formerly Middle East Electricity) will be held at Dubai World Trade Center from 7th-9th March. The event will address the future of the energy transition and discuss the opportunities surrounding green hydrogen in the region, local media reports said. According to a report by consultancy...Green Hydrogen Production among 98 new activities added to Dubai economy
A total of 98 new economic activities have been added to several sectors of Dubai in 2021, bringing the total number of economic activities to more than 2,200. In 2020, the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector at the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai, had added 52 new...ADNOC announces vital gas discovery offshore of Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has announced the discovery of natural gas resources offshore of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Interim results from the first exploration well in Abu Dhabi’s Offshore Block 2 Exploration Concession operated by Eni, indicate between 1.5 – 2 trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF)...Turkey inflation surges to near highest in 20 years
Independent data collected by Turkish economists suggested that the annual rate of inflation rose to more than 110 percent in January.Jordan trade chamber, Egyptian envoy talk economic cooperation
The two countries discussed reducing obstacles facing the two-way flow of imports into the countries and enhancing trade and economic relations.Saudi Arabia sees $6.4bn tech investment at LEAP
The fresh investments are said to be in line with Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy of Saudi Arabia, lessening its dependence on oil.


















































