Egypt’s middle class cuts costs as IMF-backed reforms take hold
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt's economy has been in crisis for years, but as the latest round of International Monetary Fund-backed reforms bites, much of the country's middle class has found itself struggling to afford goods once considered basics.The world lender has long backed measures in Egypt including a liberal currency exchange...
Qatar’s industry PPI down by 2.56 percent in March
The Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) said Monday , the PPI of March 2023 for the Mining and Quarrying showed a decrease by 2.94% when compared with PPI of February 2023.US regulators seize First Republic Bank, sell to JPMorgan Chase
With its assets standing at $233 billion at the end of March, First Republic would be the second largest bank to fall in US history. The FDIC has said that it will enter into a purchase and assumption agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Columbus, Ohio, to assume all...Japan’s investment in Egypt soars, but bilateral trade contracts
Cairo, Egypt-- Egypt's trade with Japan dropped 26.3 percent to US$1.1 billion in 2022, but the value of Japan's investments in the North African country shot up 98.7 percent to $73.7 million during the 2021-2022 period.According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, Egypt exported goods worth $260.8...Saudi CMA cancels its share in sukuk, bonds trading commission
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has announced the cancelation of its share in sukuk and bonds trading commission from May 2023 onwards.The measure is intended to reduce costs on market participants in a way that enhances liquidity, increases competitiveness in the local market and expands domestic investors' base...Iran-Turkey trade hits $1.3bn in 3 months
Tehran, Iran - Iran and Turkey have traded $1.379 billion worth of goods in the first quarter of 2023, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute. This represents a 14 percent decrease year-on-year, with Turkish exports at $702 million, up 2 percent, and Iranian exports at $677 million, down...UAE to deepen economic ties with Morocco in several sectors
Rabat, Morocco-- Seeking to deepen its investments in Morocco, which stood at US$14 billion at the end of 2021, the UAE intends to widen the partnership with the kingdom over the next few years.In this regard, the two countries have agreed to double the volume of trade and investment exchange...Alkhaleej Insurance posts profit
Its net profit soared 33% to US$7.49mn for Q1 of 2023.UAE launches guide to aid adoption of AI technology
Dubai, UAE - The UAE government has launched a comprehensive guide for the adoption of generative AI applications in the country. The guide was issued by the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office “to intensify research and efforts towards promoting the adoption of futuristic technologies in government work...Abu Dhabi aims to draw 24 million visitors by end of 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The emirate of Abu Dhabi is looking to draw some 24 million visitors by the end of 2023, six million more than it succeeded to attract last year.Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2023, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced new...UAE, Morocco discuss ways to strengthen trade relations
Rabat, Morocco - The UAE is keen to strengthen economic and trade relations with Morocco, in a way that enhances the establishment of new partnerships that serve their interests in vital sectors and consolidate the strength of bilateral relations, UAE's Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri has said.This...EU reports employment rate of 75 percent in 2022
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - In the European Union countries, 75 percent (193.5 million) of people in the 20-64-year- age group were employed, the highest since the start of the time series in 2009, as per the labor force data published by Eurostat.The employment rate dropped to 72 percent in 2020 due...Iran’s parliament removes minister over rising prices
Iran's parliament voted in an impeachment session to remove the industry minister amid soaring prices as the Islamic republic's economy reels under the pressure of international sanctions. Reza Fatemi Amin failed to garner enough support in a vote of confidence that saw 162 MPs vote in favor of his removal...DEWA keen to enhance happiness in work environment, says CEO
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) affirmed its commitment to achieve the 'We the UAE 2031' vision to position the Emirates as one of the top 10 countries globally in the 'Human Development Index'.The 'We the UAE 2031' vision was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al...Qatar’s economically active population up by 3% in Q4 2022
The Labor Force Sample Survey for the October-December 2022 period shows the percentage of male and female wage workers reached 82.6 percent and17.4 percent, respectively. The average monthly wage was QR 11,724 ($3,220).ECB looks to hike interest rate again but analysts divided on how much
The Frankfurt-based institution has already lifted rates 3.5 percentage points since July last year to tame energy and food costs that surged after Russia invaded Ukraine. But there is debate about whether the ECB will opt for a 50-basis point hike -- as it did at its previous three meetings...China’s manufacturing declines in April as recovery challenges loom
Its economy grew 4.5 percent in the first three months of the year as the country reopened after dropping strict health controls that helped keep the coronavirus in check but battered businesses and supply chains. The country is beset by a series of other crises, from a debt-laden property sector...Gaza merchants sulk over tax hike as poverty bites hard in enclave
A split between Hamas and the PA, which administers the Israeli-occupied West Bank, often leads to disputes over taxation and Hilu said the new fees are harming Gaza's "already ailing economy". The territory has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Hamas -- designated a "terrorist" entity by the United States, the...UAE keen to expand ties with Uzbekistan beyond clean energy: Al Mazrouei
Suhail bin Mohammed Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the UAE was keen to widen ties with Uzbekistan in sectors such as transport and infrastructure. He disclosed that companies such as Mubadala, masdar, and Taqa currently operating in the country have plans to increase their investments in the future.Iran-EU trade posts 9.2% drop to US$847mn in first two months of 2023
Tehran, Iran--Iran and the European Union traded $847 million worth of goods during the first two months of 2023, registering a 9.2% fall compared with the same period of the year before.Data released by Eurostat show Germany was the top trading partner of Iran in the EU region during the...Turkey inches closer to referendum on Erdogan’s two-decade rule
The 69-year-old leader looked fighting fit as he strutted back on stage after a three-day illness and tossed flowers to rapturous crowds at an Istanbul aviation fest on Saturday. It was the perfect venue for reminding Turks of all they had gained since his Islamic-rooted party ended years of secular...Twitter to permit publishers to charge users on a per-article basis
The announcement came as Musk has struggled, amid frequent controversy, to make Twitter profitable. The per-article approach, some Twitter users said, could encourage a flourishing of "click bait." It is feared it might favor big publishers over small ones, and it is unclear that authors -- not just news groups...Jordan’s king seeks deeper partnership with US in ‘various fields’
Amman, Jordan--Expressing his deep appreciation of the United States for its support to Jordan, King Abdullah has called for strengthening of ties with its longtime strategic partnership in a meeting with a US Congress delegation.The king, according to a royal court statement, received the delegation headed by US House Speaker...DET to highlight Dubai’s tourism in Arabian Travel Market
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is likely to display the diversity of the Emirate's destination, offering sustainability platforms and highlighting new initiatives designed to boost the tourism industry during the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market(ATM), local media reports said.This year’s ATM, from May 1-4...Iraq president seeks to deepen partnership on his visit to Iran
Tehran, Iran--Accompanied by a large delegation, Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid arrived in Tehran to deepen economic, trade and political ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.Upon his arrival early on Saturday, the Iraqi chief executive was welcomed by Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran Ehsan Khandozi at the...Jordan-US trade soars to US$745mn in first two months of 2023
Amman, Jordan--The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and the US shot up in January and February 2023 to $745 million compared to $561 million for the same period in 2022.Foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS) showed that the value of Jordanian exports to the US...UAE Banks Federation ratifies plan to develop banking sector
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- Looking to employ 5,000 UAE national by 2026, and designing a program to groom future banking and financial sector leaders, the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) approved the plans for 2023 presented by the board of directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).The AGM was chaired by Abdulaziz...European probe officials to question Lebanon central bank audit firms
European investigators probing Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh's wealth will question officials from two international firms previously tasked with auditing the central bank's accounts, a judicial official said. Salameh is the target of a series of judicial investigations at home and abroad on suspicion of embezzlement and money laundering,...US Fed accepts supervision failed in Silicon Valley Bank
The US Federal Reserve called for greater banking oversight while admitting to its own failures in a report published into the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank last month. "Following Silicon Valley Bank’s failure, we must strengthen the Federal Reserve’s supervision and regulation," Federal Reserve vice chair for supervision Michael Barr...Swiss central bank says tough rules needed for sector
BERN, SWITZERLAND - Switzerland's central bank said Friday that the country's banking regulations needed toughening up after the implosion of Credit Suisse, while the sector also needed to ensure proper competition for services."Banking regulation and supervision will have to be reviewed in light of recent events," Swiss National Bank chairman Thomas...UAE to take part in meeting with Arab finance ministers, experts
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE will participate in the Joint Annual Meeting of Arab Financial Institutions, which will be held Friday in Rabat, Morocco, to discuss means of overcoming the development challenges faced by the region.Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini will lead the...Eurozone GDP grows 0.1 percent in first quarter as high inflation looms
Germany, the EU's biggest economy, saw growth stagnate at zero percent over the previous quarter. Year-on-year, Germany was the only country in the single-currency zone to record a contraction, of 0.1 percent.DFM net profit surges 30%Â
The consolidated revenue rose 13 percent to $24.2 million.US slaps fresh sanctions on Russia, Iran for ‘hostage-taking’
The US is "showing that one cannot engage in this sort of awful behavior of using human beings as pawns, as bargaining chips, without paying consequences," said a senior US official. Both agencies have already been hit with punitive measures by the US State and Treasury Departments in the past.Sony profit beats forecast
The company reported record full-year sales of 11.5trn yen.Intel, Samsung post fall in sales as chips demand plummets
The crucial semiconductor industry, that powers everything from personal computers, smartphones to fighter jets, suffered a dismal first quarter as demand plummeted for chips. Intel, one of the world's leading semiconductor makers, was also affected by falling demand for chips that power data centers and is struggling to compete with...Global stocks rise despite data showing US economic  slowdown
Wall Street stocks pushed higher despite data that showed US economic growth is slowing, which raised fresh questions about interest rates hikes. The dollar rose against the euro and yen after the data showed US gross domestic product rose at an annual rate of 1.1 percent in the January to...Tunisia’s president seeks phosphate revival to counter economic woes
Tunis, Tunisia -- President Kais Saied has called for the revival of Tunisia's phosphate industry, suggesting he will seek alternative sources of revenue that would allow the country to do without a foreign bailout."Our gold is underground while the country is facing a difficult financial situation," Saied told a meeting Wednesday...Strong first-quarter Meta earnings push Wall Street stocks up
Meta reported a profit of $5.7 billion in the first quarter of this year, beating forecasts after a massive wave of cost-cutting and layoffs.US growth rate slows in Q1 as recession fears rise
US economic growth lost steam in the first quarter this year, said the Commerce Department, as the possibility of a mild recession brews while consumer spending weakens. Consumption provided a boost to the world's biggest economy, giving it a strong start to 2023, but banking sector turmoil and rising interest...Barclays Q1 net profit at $2.2bn
The bank's profit was boosted by rising interest rates.Unilever revenue rises in Q1
Inflation pushes the consumer goods giant to hike prices.King Abdullah calls for uplift in investment environment in kingdom
Amman, Jordan-- Jordan's King Abdullah has called for enhancing the investment environment in the kingdom in order to propel economic growth and job creation.During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday to follow up on the implementation of the Investment Ministry’s action plan, King Abdullah highlighted the need to...OPEC Fund to support SMEs in Paraguay with US$50mn funding
Vienna, Austria— Continuing with its initiative to support businesses across the world, the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is providing a US$50 million loan to Banco Continental in Paraguay for on-lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agricultural and livestock sectors.The investment is part of OPEC...UAE delegation visits Belgium to strengthen economic ties
Abu Dhabi, UAE - A UAE delegation led by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, visited Belgium, aiming to strengthen economic ties and promoting investment opportunities with Brussels and the wider European Union (EU).The delegation discussed growing trade relations with Vladis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner of...India to connect its power grid with Saudi Arabia, UAE
New Delhi, India--India is looking to connect its power grid with Saudi Arabia and the UAE by way of undersea cables, according to Indian media, citing Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh. The media reports said that India will sign bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia and the...DEWA, Xanadu partner to develop ‘efficient, reliable’ energy systems
Dubai, UAE— Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Xanadu, a Canadian quantum computing company, are considering strategic cooperation in order to develop solutions for enhancing the reliability of energy systems.In this regard, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), met with Dr....Bahrain’s real GDP grows by 4.09% in Q4 2022
Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain has reported a 4.09 percent increase in its real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022 YoY, driven by a growth of 4.91 percent in the non-oil sector, as a result of its economic diversification initiatives.The high-achieving sectors include the financial corporations sector which grew by...Saudi Arabia partners with South Korean firm to boost its gaming industry
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia— Saudi Arabia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wemade, a South Korean firm, to boost its presence in the gaming sector.The agreement between the Saudi ministry of investment and Wemade will enable the South Korean firm to widen its footprint in the kingdom. Wemade is...Abu Dhabi Festival celebrates 20 years with record number of visitors
Abu Dhabi, UAE— More than 20,000 people visited the 20th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in the first twenty days of March this year, drawing culture, arts, and music lovers from all walks of life.Held under the honorary patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of...US consumer confidence falls ahead of Federal Reserve decision
US consumer confidence fell more than many predicted in April, fueled by a deterioration in expectations among Americans over 55 and households with annual incomes over $50,000, according to survey data released. The pessimistic results may ease some of the pressure on the Federal Reserve as it prepares to consider...


















































