Egypt hikes subsidized bread price for first time in decades
Cairo, Egypt - Egypt's cabinet decided Wednesday to raise the price of subsidized bread for the first time in 30 years, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said.The price of a loaf, long set at five piastres ($0.001), would quadruple to 20 piastres ($0.004) from June 1, Madbouly told a news conference.Madbouly acknowledged...
Qatar Development Bank launches program for micro-enterprises
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced the launch of a version of the "Al Dhameen" program for micro-enterprises, for the first time in the country. Al Dhameen program for micro-enterprises is characterized by a profit rate and distinct conditions. This contains guaranteeing 100 percent of the value of the financing, and...Lebanon central bank not bankrupt, says governor
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami claimed on Monday that the country and its central bank had gone bankrupt. The claims seemed to be in line with exclusive reporting from TRENDS in December that said around $7 billion was missing from BDL’s books.Islamic banking tipped to grow in GCC
Of recent, Islamic banking has been getting quite a boost from governments and financial institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council.$2.4m grant for West Bank project to improve livelihoods
A grant of $2.4 million from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) will help increase economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of Palestinians in fragile communities along the Palestinian Heritage Trail across the West Bank, according to a World Bank press release. The World Bank project, Palestinian media reports said,...Saudi non-oil private sector posts fastest growth in four years
The non-oil private sector of Saudi Arabia has recorded more growth in March than it did in more than four years, driven by improvements in purchasing and supply deliver times.Oman to generate 25 GW of solar, wind energy
The country aims to produce 25 gigawatts (GW) of renewable solar and wind energy, which will be used to produce over 1.5 million tons of carbon-free hydrogen per year.Saudi Arabia launches platform with Homeland of Dates tag
The Saudidates platform is expected to help the center promote digital transformation and digitize markets and the entire sectors.Saudi Arabia to import 625,000 tons of wheat later this year
The wheat is being procured from Europe, North and South America, and Australia, and will arrive in Saudi Arabia from September to November this year.Iran says oil production back to pre-sanctions level
Iran's oil production capacity has returned to the same level as prior to the reimposition of sanctions in 2018, when the US unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal, a top official said. The country is currently engaged in negotiations to restore the 2015 nuclear deal that would grant it much-needed...Saudi Arabia, UAE woo major chunk of FDI in GCC
As foreign investors seek to take advantage of investment opportunities in the region, KSA and UAE get billions of dollars injected into their economies.DFF to support tech startups in luxury retail challenge
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced the launch of a new, first-of-its-kind initiative in the region to encourage and support tech start-ups to participate in a special challenge. The challenge is to utilize the latest technologies and innovations and contribute to the development of a quality and innovative experience for...Lebanon, its central bank have gone bankrupt, says Deputy PM
In the first official admission, Saadeh al-Shami said the losses have occurred and the government will try to reduce losses for the people. He said the losses will be distributed among the state, the Banque du Liban, banks and depositors.UAE announces $2m prize for startups in agritech innovation
The UAE has announced a prize of up to $2 million for startups that can offer technology innovations to transform traditional agricultural practices efficiently and sustainably. The FoodTech Challenge is organized by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen, an Abu Dhabi entity that partners with leading...Russia invasion of Ukraine pushes Turkey inflation to record 61.1%
Inflation was up from 54.4% in February to 61.14% in March.76.5% of firms in Dubai recorded growth during Expo 2020: Report
Dubai Chamber of Commerce facilitated 1,500 bilateral business meetings between UAE investors and their global counterparts, and received 1,746 visiting delegations from over 60 countries during the mega event, which were joined by 3,350 government and business leaders. Seven new economic and professional bodies were licensed by the Dubai Association...UAQ signs agreements to support blue economy strategy
The emirate of Umm Al Quwain has signed a series of agreements to enhance cooperation and partnership to achieve its Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy.Nearly 100 die in new Mediterranean boat tragedy: UN, MSF
Prior to the latest tragedy, the UN's International Organization for Migration had recorded 367 deaths in the Mediterranean so far this year, after registering 2,048 such deaths in 2021.UAE, Saudi Arabia in key global pension index
Here’s a look at what landed the UAE and Saudi Arabia among some of the better countries with a pension scheme for retiring or retired employees from both the government and private sectors.Jordan saw its GDP grow 2.2% in 2021 as compared to 2020
The numbers come from a quarterly statistical report released on Sunday by the Department of Statistics.France donates $5.5m to Jordan for a development project
The Jordan Education for Employment (JEFE) organization and the French Development Agency on Saturday signed a grant agreement worth 5 million euros to launch the "Ilhamy" (my inspiration) project.Britain may build seven nuclear power plants by 2050
Britain could build up to seven new nuclear power plants by 2050, as well as offshore wind to diversify energy sources, a senior minister said Sunday.Bahrain authorities allay fears over tomato price rise
Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism has announced that big shipments of tomatoes would arrive within the next few days, which would lead to a drop in prices.People flee Lebanon to Iran in search of employment
Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis that the World Bank says is of a scale usually associated with war.War-torn Yemen holds breath as breakthrough truce begins
The UAE has expressed its "support" for the UN ceasefire, which was also welcomed by the US, UN chief Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and the leaders of Britain, France, and Iraq.Gulf countries warm up to waste-to-fuel plans
Here’s a broader look at how the region has prioritized solid-waste recycling and the production of alternative fuels to deal with the trash they generate.Fitch Ratings says Saudi corporates’ funding mix is evolving
Saudi corporates’ funding mix is evolving, with the debt capital market for firms increasing noticeably and averaging a 10 percent increase year-on-year, Fitch Ratings said in a new report.UAE and Saudi stocks post gains this week
The UAE and Saudi stock markets posted considerable gains this week even as oil prices took a dip with the US tapping into its reserves to tame high crude oil prices.Iraq exports oil worth $11bn in March, a fifty-year record
Iraq exported $11.07 billion of oil last month, the highest level for half a century, as crude prices soared amid shortfall fears following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the oil ministry said.US allies agree to tap emergency oil reserves again
IAE repeated its warning that the prospect of large-scale disruptions to Russian oil production "is threatening to create a global oil supply shock".Jordan, US discuss ways to enhance strategic partnership
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the new MoU for the strategic partnership between the two countries.Algeria warns of possible gas price rise for Spain
Algiers last month recalled its ambassador from Madrid in protest at a decision by Spain to back a Moroccan autonomy plan for the ex-Spanish colony of Western Sahara.ADPG profit up Dh397m
The company’s revenue rose to AED 3.9 billion.GCC pharma industry: Leaders and innovators
GCC countries have a highly dynamic environment characterized by growing populations, a broad diversity of patient demands and increasing healthcare budgets, says Rodrigo Rodriguez, the Middle East Cluster General Manager of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.Jadwa Investment says Saudi economy to grow 7.7% in 2022
The economy of Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow 7.7 percent this year propelled by the expansion of the kingdom's oil sector, according to Jadwa Investment.NEOM subsidiary sets up Hydrogen and Innovation Development Center
ENOWA, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of NEOM, has established the region's first Hydrogen and Innovation Development Center (HIDC). Located in NEOM’s advanced manufacturing and innovation city, the new facility aims to accelerate lab to market solutions and business development across the spectrum of hydrogen, green fuel production, utilization...Lebanon to pay $16m for power on polling day
Lebanon's electricity company is charging $16 million to supply power on the day of the May 15 parliamentary polls, a sum that exceeds the overall election budget by nearly 30 percent, the interior minister said.World Bank urges support for poor as food prices soar
Developing and import-dependent countries have been heavily impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- the two countries that account for more than a quarter of the world's annual wheat sales.Abu Dhabi Chamber and San Marino to boost trade cooperation
Abu Dhabi and San Marino will explore new avenues of economic cooperation and boosting trade. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Deputy Treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Board of Directors, met with Fabio Righi, San Marino’s Minister of Industry. The meeting between the two was held at Chamber’s tower in Abu...President of World Banks says MENA must create 300m jobs
To achieve development goals, the MENA region must create three hundred million jobs, according to President of the World Bank David Malpass.GCC banks record 40% spike in profits to $35bn in 2021
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s banking sector profits recorded a 40 percent surge to hit $35 billion in 2021, a report by investment company Kamco said.OPEC+ sticks to modest oil output increase despite Western pressure
The 13 members of the Saudi-led OPEC and 10 countries spearheaded by Russia backed an increase of 432,000 barrels per day in May, marginally higher than in previous months.Saudi hosts talks on Yemen war, but without Houthi rebels
Ahmed Al-Emad, a spokesman for the rebels' foreign ministry said that the recent meeting on Yemen conflict held in Riyadh "has nothing to do with the issue of peace."Soaring global urban tech market to benefit KSA: Mastercard report
The paper has shone a spotlight on how Saudi Arabia’s e-government, tourism, healthcare, and transit sectors stand to benefit from the smart city revolution in the Kingdom.Saudi deposits $5bn in Egypt, plans to invest double: State media
The Egyptian and Saudi governments have signed a draft agreement for Saudi investments in the country totaling a projected $10 billion, according to a statement by the Egyptian cabinet.Unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia reduced to 11 percent in Q4 2021
The unemployment rate among Saudi citizens reduced to 11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the "Labor Market Statistics Q4, 2021, on its official website which revealed this data. The unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points (pp) from Q3/2021, and lower...Evergrande to sell stake
The developer would sell the Crystal City Project in Hangzhou for 3.66 bn yuan.German businesses urged to explore investment opportunities in Sharjah
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has called on German businessmen and investors to explore investment opportunities within the emirate’s business community, in order to access new avenues of partnership and develop economic and trade relations between Sharjah and Germany. The call for investment was made at a...Tunisia facing major structural challenges, weak growth, social inequity: IMF
Tunisia is facing major structural challenges that result in deep macroeconomic disequilibria, a weak growth in spite of its strong potential, a high unemployment rate, weak investment, and social inequality, International Monetary Fund has said. The impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are now adding to these...Dubai summit highlights future to governments
This year’s summit has brought together 190 countries, over 500 speakers, and 4,000 participants worldwide to discuss the future of governments.Muslims face frugal Ramadan as Ukraine war drives up food prices
Russia's Ukraine invasion, which has already exacerbated food woes in parts of Africa and the Middle East, is marring preparations for the holy month of Ramadan and forcing a turn to frugal iftar sunset meals. From Lebanon to Tunisia and Somalia, Muslims who traditionally break a dawn-to-dusk fast with lavish...


















































