Egypt net foreign assets slid to $13.05bn at end-June

Egypt’s net foreign assets positive for second month in June

The North African country has been using its net foreign assets to help prop up its currency since at least September 2021

CBUAE banks savings deposits

CBUAE keeps rates constant, follows US Fed cue

The policy decision follows the US Federal Reserve’s announcement to keep interest rates unchanged

US Fed

US Fed says rate cuts could come ‘soon’

US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday said “there was a growing sense of confidence” the central bank could cut rates in September

Saudi Arabia’s GDP contracts by 0.4% in Q2 2024

Saudi Arabia’s Q2 GDP shrinks by an estimated 0.4%, oil weighs

The kingdom’s GDP decreased by 1.7 per cent in Q1 2024, as cuts to oil production have continued to weigh on the country’s economy.

IMF approves release of $820m for Egypt

IMF approves release of $820m for Egypt, calls for more reforms

The government raised domestic fuel prices by up to 15 per cent ahead of the IMF review, which had been postponed from July 10

UAE-MOROCCO-2

UAE, Morocco finalise comprehensive free trade agreement

The UAE’s CEPA programme aims to increase the country’s non-oil foreign trade to Dhs4tn by expanding relations with strategically important markets around the world

Egypt’s central bank committed to a flexible exchange rate

Egypt says it cut foreign debt by $14bn

The country’s external debt fell to $154 billion as of the end of May from $168bn at the end of December

Dubai Taxi Co Image Dubai Media Office

Dubai Taxi Company revenue up 14% as it completes 23 million trips

DTC said its taxi segment benefited from higher tariffs, and an increased number of dedicated airport taxis, in the reporting period

G20 - X

G20 agree to work on Brazil’s ‘billionaire tax’ idea

The “billionaire tax” would be aimed at the world’s richest individuals such as Tesla owner Elon Musk

Egypt hikes fuel prices by up to 15% ahead of IMF review

Egypt hikes fuel prices by up to 15% ahead of IMF review

The IMF estimated that Egypt will spend EGP331bn ($6.85bn) on fuel subsidies in 2024/25 and EGP245bn in 2025/26

Kuwait posts budget deficit of KWD1.6bn in FY 2023/24

Kuwait posts budget deficit of KWD1.6bn in FY 2023/24

Oil revenues dropped by 19.4 per cent to KWD21.5bn in FY 2023/24, based on an oil price of $86.36 a barrel, compared to KWD26.7bn a year earlier

Saudi Arabia welcomes 60 million visitors in H1 2024

Saudi Arabia welcomes 60 million visitors in H1 2024

Saudi Arabia witnessed a 22.9 per cent increase in visitor spending in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan appoints 22 AI chiefs across government institutions

Dubai’s GDP grows by 3.2% in first quarter of 2024

Dubai’s transportation and storage sector saw significant growth, driven primarily by a 6.8 per cent increase in air transport demand

Moody’s upgrades Turkey’s ratings to B1 on tight monetary policy

Moody’s upgrades Turkey’s ratings to B1 on tight monetary policy

Turkey’s central bank has raised its main rate to 50 per cent from 8.5 per cent since Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek was appointed last year

Egypt’s central bank holds key interest rates steady

Egypt’s central bank leaves key interest rates unchanged

The central bank raised interest rates by 600 bps on March 6 as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund

Ethiopia

UAE, Ethiopia sign currency swap agreement

Under the deal, the CBUAE and NBE will also collaborate on payment platform services and electronic switches

saudi arabia - Vision 2030 - IMF

IMF revises Saudi GDP growth down on oil cuts

The IMF now projects Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth to be 1.7 per cent this year, a reduction of 0.9 percentage points from its April forecast

Abu Dhabi GDP

Abu Dhabi GDP growth hits 3.3% in first quarter of 2024

Non-oil activities now contribute 54.1 per cent to Abu Dhabi’s economy—the highest since 2015

UAE and Nigeria

UAE resumes visa issuance to Nigerians

The development follows the resumption of flights between the two countries in May, which were halted for over two years, due to a payment backlog

Saudia-Grp-1

Saudi’s investment ministry and Saudia Group sign deal to boost investment

The agreement aims to provide a slew of benefits tailored for global companies seeking to relocate to the kingdom

Egypt lowers 2025 wheat self-sufficiency target to 51%

Egypt lowers 2025 wheat self-sufficiency target to 51%

The government buys wheat internationally and locally in order to offer tens of millions of its citizens subsidised bread

Riyadh named among top 15 cities in Savills growth hubs index GettyImages

Riyadh ranks among the top 15 fastest-developing cities, shows index

Riyadh is the only non-Asian city featured in Savills Growth Hubs Index and its potential is linked to a forecasted 26 per cent population growth

UAE-Japan sign MOUs

UAE, Japan strengthen strategic partnership, sign MoUs

The two sides reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative, focusing on joint projects aimed at sustainable economic growth

Abu Dhabi non-oil gdp grwos by 59 per cent over a 10-year period GettyImages-1146024499-1-e1704043948632

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP sees 59% growth in 10 years

In the past decade, Abu Dhabi’s construction sector has grown by 22.6 per cent, finance and insurance by 39 per cent, and manufacturing sector by 102 per cent

Gen Z - Green jobs

‘Eco-anxious’ Gen Z want to work in green jobs but don’t have the skills: Study

A recent survey found that only 1 in 20 Gen Z workers possess the “green skills” necessary to combat the climate crisis

UAE law on counterfeit goods and services - anti-commercial fraud law

Understanding UAE’s new law on counterfeit goods and services

This new legal framework intends to safeguard consumers from deceitful practices and ensure that the UAE’s commercial environment remains fair and competitive

Egypt sees progress on loan program

European firms sign 20 deals with Egypt as EU looks to bolster ties

European officials say they want to help Egypt become more resilient by boosting investment in the private sector

Dubai approves Dhs25bn in new investment incentives

Dubai announces Dhs25bn in new investment incentives

The foreign investment development programme is designed to attract Dhs650bn of investments to the emirate over the next ten years

Emiratisation UAE

MoHRE sets June 30 deadline for Emiratisation targets compliance

MoHRE commended the companies that have already met the required growth in Emiratisation