Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE banking sector continued its growth momentum last year and is poised for further growth and recovery in 2024, thanks to the success of the Central Bank of the UAE's (CBUAE) strategies and policies in setting the necessary frameworks and regulations to deliver sustainable growth for the...

London, United Kingdom--The UK announced Wednesday that it plans to bar overseas governments from owning British newspapers, a move that could scupper the contentious Abu Dhabi-led takeover of the Telegraph Media Group. Stephen Parkinson, a media minister, announced in the upper-chamber House of Lords that the Conservative government would amend proposed...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has concluded with the acceptance of Abu Dhabi Declaration, a landmark document securing important new trade agreements that will extend the benefits of the global trading system to more nations. Following a week of intensive negotiations, Dr...

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- The UAE and Russia have held talks to enhance the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. In this connection, a remote meeting was held between Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal National Council (FNC), and Grigory...

Beijing, China--China maintained a basic balance in its international payments last year, with its current account surplus amounting to US$264.2 billion, the country's foreign exchange regulator said on Sunday. According to China Central Television, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) disclosed that the ratio of the current account surplus...

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the situation in the Israel-occupied West Bank posed a major obstacle to finding a long-term solution for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. "The West Bank is the real obstacle for the two-state solution," Borrell said at the Munich Security Conference.

Doha, Qatar-- Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has affirmed that the ties between Qatar and Iran have never been closer. The emir stated this in a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Doha. During the meeting, Amir-Abdollahian conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi...

Tehran, Iran - Gunmen in southeastern Iran near the Pakistan border killed nine foreign nationals on Saturday, Iranian media reported, more than a week after the neighbors exchanged deadly cross-border fire. "According to witnesses, this morning unknown armed men killed nine non-Iranians in a house in the Sirkan neighborhood of Saravan...

MANAMA, BAHRAIN - The Information eGovernment Authority (iGA) has published its foreign trade report of Bahrain for Q4 2023, covering trade balance, imports, exports of products with national origin, and re-exports. The value of imports has increased by 5 percent, reaching US$3.92 billion (BD1.476 billion) during Q4 2023 in comparison...

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron termed it good news that that the UN has come together to "back a resolution to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza." Cameron's remarks came after the Security Council voted to approve a watered-down resolution that demands all sides allow the "unhindered" delivery of humanitarian...

Tehran, Iran-- Saudi Arabia and Iran's foreign ministers have stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and sending humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the latest developments...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE has solidified its stature as a key player in the global financial landscape, through launching economic projects and initiatives that have made it an ideal partner for the NYSE in exploring new markets, said John Tuttle, Vice Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and...

Moscow, Russia-- Iran and Russia have held talks over the ongoing Israel's war on the Gaza Strip, expressing "concern over the continuing armed confrontation" there. The deliberations were conducted in talks over telephone between the Russian and Iranian foreign ministers, Sergey Lavrov and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Russian foreign ministry said...

DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Customs has experienced a robust 13 percent increase with 21.6 million transactions during the first nine months of this year. This surge contrasts with the 19 million transactions recorded during the same period last year. The upswing aligns with the targets of Dubai’s economic agenda D33,...

London, UK-- Bahrain and the UK have discussed way to boost bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and economic fields between the two countries. The discussions were held between Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lord Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East,...

Tehran, Iran--A treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran is about 85 percent ready, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. "The work on a new big treaty is at an advanced stage. I would say that it is 85 percent agreed. Several specific issues are yet...

Describing the entry of a few dozens trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt as "not enough", EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that it was important to send in the basic things that make water and electricity supply being restored. He made the comments ahead of a...

Iran and Russia have bolstered ties in many fields over the last few years and Moscow has turned to Tehran for military support and economic partnerships as both countries face a raft of Western sanctions. The West has accused Tehran of supporting Russia's offensive in Ukraine by providing it with...

Dubai, UAE--Condemning Israel's relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip, Qatar's top diplomat has urged Western countries to exert pressure on the Tel Aviv regime to immediately stop its attacks against Palestinians. According to Mehr News Agency, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held talks over the...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran's foreign trade has registered a 4.84 percent jump to $54.6 billion between March and September this year. According to the head of the Iranian customs office (IRICA) Mohammad Rezvanifar, 68 million tons of non-oil goods, valued at $24.1 billion, were exported overseas from March 21 to September...

New York, US-- The UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed has held talks with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, and pledged to further develop cooperation as part of the two countries' strategic partnership. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United...

New York, US-- Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt have pledged to cement the partnership between themselves in order to boost cooperation in several economic and political fields. In this connection, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Expatriates Ayman Safadi participated in a tripartite meeting with his Iraqi and...

TEHRAN, IRAN - Foreign companies and governments committed some US$6.7 billion worth of investments during an exhibition that was held in early May here, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy affairs said.   Mehdi Safari said on Thursday that Iran seeks to break new records in foreign investment attraction and...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has revealed that its total foreign assets increased to $161.22 billion at the end of June, from $160.70 billion in May. The UAE's current account balances and deposits with banks abroad amounted to $99 billion by the end of...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the composition of the country’s delegation to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee...

Iran's foreign minister met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his first visit since the Middle East rivals announced a rapprochement, officials said. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who travelled to Riyadh on Thursday, held talks with the Crown Prince in Jeddah, the Saudi foreign ministry said, after extending a scheduled...

BEIJING, CHINA - Between January and July 2023, Chinese enterprises made non-financial direct investments totaling US$13.69 billion (RMB95.34 billion) in Belt and Road countries, demonstrating a surge of 23.2 percent compared to the previous year. This growth amounts to approximately US$13.69 billion (a year-on-year increase of 15.3 percent), constituting nearly...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The international military-technical forum Army-2023 opens at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center here. About 1,500 prominent Russian companies of the military-industrial complex will present their products and 85 foreign companies and organizations from seven countries will also participate in the forum, TASS news agency reported. According...

Ulaanbaatar, Mangolia--The UAE and Mongolia are looking to boost trade and investment cooperation with a focus on the agriculture sector. The two countries held discussions to ramp up collaboration during the visit of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, to Mongolia. He is leading...

Tehran, Iran-- Iran has signed oil contracts worth $40 billion with domestic and foreign companies during the last 20 months. Speaking at the second ministerial session of the 8th OPEC International Seminar entitled “Investments, finance and inclusive petroleum growth strategies” at the Austrian capital, Iran’s oil minister Javad Owji said...

PARIS, FRANCE - French Minister of Foreign Trade Olivier Becht said his country and the UAE share a common vision of accelerating the shift to green energy to tackle the growing threats posed by climate change. The two countries are working together on low-carbon energy solutions, he said,  expressing his...

Dubai, UAE -- Non-institutional foreign investors increased their ownership in Tadawul-listed equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, to SAR 310.80 billion ($82.87 billion), in the week that ended on June 1, Argaam reported. The ownership of non-institutional foreign investors is represented by swap agreements, residents, and qualified foreign investors (QFIs). However, it...

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE -  Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) successfully participated in the second edition of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology's (MoIAT) Make it in the Emirates Forum. The forum brought together industry leaders, government officials and prominent stakeholders to discuss the role of industrial zones...

Sharjah, UAE--With an aim to bolster the country's capital markets, the Sharjah-based company Dana Gas has revealed that it will raise its foreign ownership limit to 100 percent. The company said that it had obtained the approval of the regulatory authorities to raise the percentage of foreign ownership from 49...

Iran freed Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele after almost 15 months in custody, in a prisoner exchange for an Iranian diplomat convicted of terrorism. Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said the 42-year-old had arrived in Oman and added: "If all goes to plan, he'll be with us this evening....

The government sold a 9.5% stake for US$121.6mn.

Doha, Qatar--Qatar Chamber (QC) has urged Vietnamese companies to benefit from the investment climate in Qatar and the investment incentives and facilities granted by the state to foreign investments in all sectors. Qatar Chamber board member Ali Abdullatif Al Misnad lauded the close relations between Qatar and Vietnam in all...

The foreign ministers of Egypt, France, Germany and Jordan called for an end to the violence between Israel and Gaza militants, who have been trading heavy fire for three days. The four ministers said later in a joint statement that they were "deeply alarmed" by the escalation.

French retailer is first foreign supermarket chain in Israel.

AMMAN, JORDAN - Value of Jordanian exports to European Union countries increased during January-February period of 2023, by 108.5 percent to reach about US$87 million (JD62 million), compared to about US$42 million (JD30 million) for the same period last year.According to foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics...

Tehran, Iran— Claiming that Iran has received numerous “requests” from different countries for purchase of its defense equipment and cooperation, Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard has hailed the achievements in producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned drones with fixed and moving wings. The brigadier general, the head of the...

Foreign nations pushed with evacuations of their citizens from Sudan which, the UN chief warned, is "on the edge of the abyss" after 10 days of brutal fighting between rival forces. As army and paramilitary troops again clashed in Khartoum and across the country, Sudanese have sheltered in their homes...

Paris, France--EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on European navies to patrol the disputed Taiwan Strait, in a opinion piece in a French weekly published Sunday. Borrell's comments in the Journal Du Dimanche, echo comments he made last week when he stressed how crucial Taiwan is to Europe. Taiwan "concerns...

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman on Saturday announced the expulsion of "more than 20" German diplomats as a retaliatory measure for "mass expulsion" of Russian embassy staff from Berlin. Maria Zakharova told state-run television Zvezda that Moscow had decided to expel "more than 20" diplomats. Her statement came...

Cairo, Egypt-- A new survey has revealed that Egypt's non-oil private sector activity contracted for the 28th straight month in March. The S&P Global Egypt Purchasing Managers' Index edged down to 46.7 in March from 46.9 in February, well below the 50.0 threshold that marks growth in activity. "At 46.7, the...

Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain has announced the launch of a Golden Licence, providing incentives and streamlined services to foreign and local businesses with large-scale investment projects in the country, in an important step in the country's pursuit to incentivise investments and boost job creation under its fiscal and economic reforms,...

Abu Dhabi, UAE-- Stating that the global reshuffling of economic gravity is providing an opportunity for the UAE, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that the country has positioned itself as a key player in the global value chain. He was speaking at...

Doha, Qatar--Egypt and Qatar have signed an agreement to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion and avoidance, according to a statement by the Cabinet on February 27. The agreement comes within the framework of bolstering bilateral economic relations and shoring up cooperation in several fields. It is...

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in a rare visit to Syria and Turkey, pledged solidarity with the people of the two countries after a devastating earthquake claimed tens of thousands of lives. Shoukry met with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the country's foreign minister Faisal Mekded. He also met Turkish...

Beijing, China--China's international trade in services stood at 459.5 billion yuan, or US$ 67.6 billion, in January, official data showed on Friday, Xinhua News Agency reported. Services exports totalled $25.44 billion last month, and services imports were at $40.50 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $15.50 billion , according...