05/15/2020
Coronavirus has not changed the Middle East
This includes Iranian subversion and acceleration of its nuclear project, as well as Turkey's expansionism in Syria.
Research, Comment and Analysis
05/14/2020
UAE to review government structure, size in post-coronavirus strategy - statement
"We may merge ministries and alter bodies. We need a more agile, flexible and speedy government," says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
05/14/2020
Saudi Arabia ‘Vision 2030’ plan cut by $8bn – report
Brent crude is currently trading at around $30 a barrel, about half the level it was when Saudi Arabia announced its budget in December
05/14/2020
Gulf banks could see second wave of mergers after pandemic dust settles
It comes as no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic will halt the growth of GCC Islamic and conventional banks this year as they focus on preserving asset quality rather than business expansion.
05/14/2020
JPMorgan sees more Gulf companies linking up but no liquidity crunch
But Tannir said the region had entered 2020 with strong finances and, after an initial phase of assessing liquidity needs, companies and governments are now looking more strategically at potential opportunities.
05/13/2020
How much will oil price drop hit the Middle East wealth market
Competition ‘is likely to increase’ for firms as number of expats in region could decline
05/13/2020
UAE banks report exposure to commodities broker in liquidation
Emirates NBD and Mashreq both report Dh130m exposure to the business that began as a rice trader
05/13/2020
Egypt’s growth to slow sharply in 2020 because of coronavirus pandemic
The report says the deceleration led by the Covid-19 pandemic reflects a slowdown in the tourism sector, disruptions in global value chains and a slowdown in demand from trading partners and in foreign direct investment.
05/13/2020
EBRD expects Turkey’s economy to bounce back by 6 per cent in 2021
Likewise, the lower oil price, alongside the sharp slowdown in domestic activity, will help offset the inflationary impact of the weakening lira.
05/13/2020
Abu Dhabi per capita income substantially higher than its peers: Moody's
Moody's estimated Abu Dhabi ran a modest budget deficit of 0.3 per cent of GDP in 2019.
05/12/2020
The United Arab Emirates: A Key Piece in the Gobal Money Laundering Puzzle
The UAE’s booming construction and real estate sector emerges as another major weakness.
05/12/2020
Oman expected to meet its funding needs, keep support for dollar peg
But other Gulf countries could extend support in the event of extreme liquidity crunch
05/12/2020
Saudi Arabia slashes fuel prices in the kingdom
The prices have been reduced almost by half
05/11/2020
V versus U by Gary Dugan
The headlines don't read well, but some economists do point to some good news.
05/11/2020
ADX gains, real estate banks weigh on DFM
Dubai index fell over one per cent, led by fall in shares of Emaar Properties, Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Amanat and Air Arabia.
05/11/2020
Four in 10 rich UAE investors plan to invest more in next 6 months, UBS says
The world’s wealthy are largely optimistic about the long-term economic outlook for their region despite Covid-19, according to the findings of a survey by the Swiss bank
05/11/2020
Gulf banks can absorb up to $36B shock
23 GCC banks have assets worth $1.5T at end- 2019 and are among most profitable worldwide
05/10/2020
Coronavirus crisis changing public attitudes in the Middle East, polls suggest
Persistent fear of the illness continuing to dominate daily life
05/10/2020
Real estate sector development panel to help boost realty market: Ezdan
These rapid changes impose on the market the necessity to develop a specific and clear strategy, aimed at improving real estate products in order to gratify the requirements of this market on the one hand, and encourage investors to continue to pump their
05/10/2020
Dubai carrier Emirates airline reports rise in annual profit
Emirates made $287.5 million in the 12 months to March 31