Israel arms exports to UAE, Bahrain, Morocco rise sharply after 2023
Sales to countries considered part of the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco who signed groundbreaking normalization agreements with Israel in 2020 -- appeared to have sharply risen from 3 percent in 2023 to 12 percent.
Aramco, TotalEnergies to construct petrochemical unit in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco and France's TotalEnergies signed contracts to start building an $11-billion petrochemicals facility in the Gulf kingdom, the two companies said. A signing ceremony for the engineering, procurement and construction contracts for the Amiral complex took place at Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran, in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.Iran foreign minister rounds out Gulf tour with UAE visit
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to the UAE followed stops in Qatar, Kuwait and Oman -- the latest in a flurry of diplomatic moves by Tehran as it seeks to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength. He discussed "bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation" with UAE President Sheikh...Iran foreign minister holds talks with Omani counterpart
ran said last week it had been engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States through Oman, with nuclear issues, US sanctions and detainees on the agenda. The following day, Iran's nuclear negotiator said he had met with diplomats from three European countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss a number...Gulf nations stress on cementing unity, pledge support for Palestine
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has stressed the need for coordination, integration and interdependence among GCC countries in all fields.At its 156th session on Sunday, the Council focused on strengthening joint Gulf action, with the Council reviewing the integration process among GCC...US remains invested in Gulf partnerships, Blinken tells diplomats
Blinken spoke during a Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting in the capital Riyadh following talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.UAE withdraws from US-led coalition that secures Gulf waterways
"As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces," a statement carried by the official WAM news agency said. The Bahrain-headquartered CMF was established in 2001, initially as a partnership between 12...Iraq and Iran discuss boosting ties in transportation sector
Baghdad, Iraq--Iraq is looking to deepen cooperation with Iran in the transport sector and facilitate the movement of pilgrims between the two countries. The issue was discussed in a meeting in Baghdad between the Iranian and Iraqi ministers focusing on the ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.The meeting occurred...Kuwait’s court upholds dissolution of 2022 parliament
Kuwait - Kuwait's Constitutional Court has upheld a previous ruling that declared the September 2022 parliamentary election void, in which the opposition had made gains, Reuters reported. The court rejected an appeal against this decision, which was filed by members of the 2022 parliament who argued that the court had exceeded...Iran appoints envoy to Saudi Arabia after seven years
The new envoy, Alireza Enayati, previously served as Iran's ambassador to Kuwait, assistant to the foreign minister and director general of Gulf affairs at the foreign ministry, the English-language Iran Daily said. There was no immediate confirmation of his appointment from the foreign ministry of the Islamic republic.Gulf oil giants turn to start-ups in bid to promote carbon capture
With little investment and few projects in operation around the world so far, the technology to capture carbon before it goes into the atmosphere as a potential global warming solution is currently nowhere near the scale needed to make a difference to global emissions.Iran’s trade with six Arab countries climbs up to US$35bn in 2022-2023
Tehran, Iran--Iran's trade with six Arab states has vaulted to $35.11 billion in the fiscal year of 2022-2023, according to the latest data released by the Islamic Republic.According to Iran Customs Administration, the Islamic Republic traded 58.25 million tons of goods (excluding crude oil exports) worth $35.11 billion with the...US to bolster presence in Gulf after Iran threat, says White House
The United States said it was sending reinforcements to the Gulf after what it called increasing harassment by Iran of ships in the oil-rich waters. "The Department of Defense will be making a series of moves to bolster our defensive posture" in the Gulf, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby...Saudi Arabia to boost maritime cooperation with South Korea, Qatar
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - A delegation of Saudi Arabia discussed steps to enhance cooperation in maritime transport and ports with South Korea, local media reports said.Led by Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, the delegation visited South Korea and met Cho Seung-hwan, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries....Saudi Arabia seizes 12m amphetamine pills, arrests four
Saudi Arabia regularly announces seizures of amphetamine pills without specifying whether they are captagon, used by wealthy Saudis as a party pill.Digital platforms are transforming the way GCC countries attract investments
Since the beginning of 2023 alone, three digital and physical platforms have been launched by Qatar, Oman and Kuwait to facilitate investments by foreigners and the local private sector.US denies Iranian claims of forcing its submarine to surface
TEHRAN, IRAN- Iran said on Thursday it had "forced" a US submarine to surface as it was crossing the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, a claim the Americans promptly denied.Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of Iran's navy, told state TV the USS Florida nuclear submarine was "approaching and passing...Middle East thaw: Now Qatar and UAE to reopen embassies
"The technical committees are now doing their work in this context, and it is expected that there will be exchange visits to consider the procedures we need to reopen embassies." foreign ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari told a briefing. A UAE official confirmed that the reopening of embassies is "under process".China becomes first Asian country to get a share of Qatar’s landmark natural gas field
Doha, Qatar: Chinese oil giant Sinopec on Wednesday became the first Asian firm to get a stake in Qatar's expansion of North Field East, the Gulf country's energy company announced.North Field contains the world's biggest natural gas reserves and extends under the Gulf into Iranian territory.China is already the biggest...Saudi delegation arrives in Yemen for peace talks with Houthis
The delegation's arrival comes roughly a month after China helped broker a surprise rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, fuelling hopes for progress on ending the Yemen conflict that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Omani mediators arrived in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Saturday.Iran officials to visit Saudi Arabia on April 14 ahead of reopening diplomatic missions
Iran's foreign ministry said a delegation will visit Saudi Arabia by April 14 to pave the way for reopening its diplomatic missions there following a similar move by Riyadh. The announcement comes a day after a Saudi delegation arrived in Tehran and follows a historic meeting between the two Gulf...TRENDS Poll: Inflation takes biggest bite from Gulf household incomes during Ramadan
The poll discovers people struggling across the Middle East to cope with high cost of living in the holy month of Ramadan, with inflation in some places reaching 100.Major oil powers slash production ahead of OPEC+ meet
Cuts by the Saudis, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman from May to the end of the year will total more than one million barrels per day -- the biggest reduction since the OPEC+ cut 2 million bpd in Oct. A Saudi official called it a measure "aimed at supporting...UAE and Saudi to lead GCC e-commerce boom
The UAE is likely to remain the top e-commerce market in the GCC in 2023 but Saudi represents the largest potential growth over the medium and long term.Kuwait’s never-ending political crisis hurts economy
It suffers from constant stand-offs between elected lawmakers and cabinets installed by the ruling Al-Sabah family, despite a parliamentary system in place since 1962.Time for Syria to return to Arab fold, Sheikh Mohamed tells Assad
Abu Dhabi, which normalized relations with Assad's government in 2018, has led aid efforts in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, killing tens of thousands. A diplomatic momentum generated by aid efforts in the quake's aftermath could bolster Damascus's relations with Middle...‘Bad governance, lack of solid regulation fuel blockchain violations’
There is chaos in the crypto market and the dust rises with an episode of failure, but failures must not be generalized, says Don Tapscott of Blockchain Research Institute.Cash-strapped Egypt offers citizenship to foreigners investors
According to state newspaper Al-Ahram, a decision by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli published in the official gazette, says the premier can now "grant Egyptian nationality" to applicants that meet one of four conditions. Foreigners can either buy at least $300,000 of real estate in Egypt, invest $350,000 in the country,...Inter-Parliamentary Union urged to take up Bahrain rights issue
BEIRUT, LEBANON - Lawmakers attending an inter-parliament gathering in Bahrain's capital this week should seize the "opportunity" to address the Gulf state's "dismal rights record", rights groups have said.Parliamentarians from around the world are planning to attend this year’s Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the oldest and largest organization of parliaments in the...Despite hurdles, women entrepreneurs thrive in MENA tech sector
As the governments and private organizations in the region are taking measures to encourage and support women entrepreneurs in the tech industry, their prospects across the setor are improving, and there is a growing sense of optimism that more women will continue to break through the glass ceiling in this...Gulf Common Market moves ahead with new tracks
New tracks have been launched in the Gulf common market to supplement the 10 current tracks. The bloc also seeks collaboration with the private players in the region.Syria’s Assad visits Oman after quake, in first since war
Sultan Haitham and Assad "held official talks" at the royal palace in Muscat, Oman's foreign ministry said in a statement. The Omani ruler "extended anew his condolences and sincere sympathy to.... the president and to the brotherly Syrian people for the victims of the devastating earthquake", it added.Amwaj merges with Shaqab, Atyab
Qatar-based Gulf International Service has successfully accomplished the merger.GCC gas stations expand as global oil demand surges
The annual expansion of more than 100 fuel stations in the Gulf countries add around US$500,000 per day to companies' revenues in each country in the region, say experts.UAE pledges $50 million more in assistance for quake-hit Syria
Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "has ordered the provision of an additional US$50 million as relief aid for quake-affected people in Syria", reports said.Cash-strapped Egypt sells state assets to Gulf nations
Experts say the deals could be a win-win for all sides, but unlike old Gulf largesse of unconditional aid, the new deals will require reforms. Cairo hopes the cash injection will plug what the IMF warns is "a financing gap of about $17 billion over the next four years".Rayyana Barnawi first ever Saudi woman to join space mission
Rayyana Barnawi will join fellow Saudi male astronaut Ali Al-Qarni on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) "during the second quarter of 2023".Dams fulfill GCC’s water needs, boost economies
More dams are being built in the region to shield the residents against floods, offer a lifeline during drought and work towards food sufficiency by enhancing agriculture output.Kuwait budget deficit could surge to $16 bn, oil revenues fall by 19.5%
Spending will rise by 11.7 percent to more than $86 billion, with 80 percent going on civil service wages and public subsidies.Strong economies help GCC survive global chaos
Robust monetary policies curtail the impact of geopolitical tensions, energy crisis, worsening inflation rates and market volatility on the region during 2022, a report highlights.Iraq finalizes fresh air deals with Gulf countries
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - The Civil Aviation Authority announced the work to conclude new air agreements with the Gulf states. A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, Jihad Al-Diwan, told local media agency: "We have agreements with all Gulf countries and all Gulf national carriers that land in Iraqi airports, except for...Middle Eastern SWFs eye Europe, US for cheap assets
The region's SWFs more than doubled their investments in Western economies to $51.6 billion in 2022 from $21.8 billion a year earlier, says the latest Global SWF report.Gulf markets, except Kuwait and Qatar, end higher
The Saudi market's general index, TASI, rose 1.19%, Dubai Financial Market 0.47%, Abu Dhabi Stock Market Vadax 15 index 0.133% by the end of the trading session.UAE to roll over $2 billion Pakistan’s debt, loan $1 billion more
The agreement comes as Pakistan grapples with a major foreign exchange crisis, holding enough reserves to pay for just three weeks of imports.UAE remains the most innovative Arab economy
The Global Innovation Index ranks the countries on 81 indicators across seven categories, including Business Sophistication, Infrastructure and Technology Outputs among others.Roadmap for startups on agenda of MENA’s only IPO-focused summit
The summit, which will be held from 23-25 Jan, 2023, ""will shed light on the strong impetus and promising prospects of the IPO sector in Dubai". The emirate's media office said the summit comes on the back of a record IPO activity in 2022.Iraq football body launches ticket sales for Gulf Cup
The Gulf Cup brings together the hosts as well as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. It will be held in Iraq's southern city of Basra from January 6-19.Arab leaders adopt plan for 2023-2027 to push GCC-China partnership
"China will continue to firmly support the GCC countries in maintaining their own security... and build a collective security framework for the Gulf," Chinese President Xi said at the start of the China-GCC summit.GCC IPOs resilient to volatility hurting other markets
Various IPOs raised nearly $4.8 billion in the GCC in the first five months of 2022 alone, which was higher than in Europe.Herzog becomes first Israeli president to visit Bahrain
Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Bahrain, the first visit by an Israeli head of state to the small Gulf kingdom since the two countries normalized relations in 2020. Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, was greeted at the airport by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, according to pictures posted...Asian federation chief dismisses criticism of Qatar’s rights record
The AFC chief lavished praise on the Gulf country's organisation of the tournament."The organisation is luminous, the environment is positive," he said. "Our (Qatari) brothers didn't fail in delivering the facilities and stadiums." Qatar has repeatedly accused its critics of "double standards" and even "racism", pointing to their recent reforms...