Türkiye hikes year-end inflation forecast to 38%

Türkiye’s central bank raises year-end inflation forecast to 38%

The bank has aggressively raised rates by 4,150 basis points since last June but it kept the policy rate unchanged at 50 per cent in April

Indonesia, UAE sign agreement to use of local currencies for trade

Indonesia, UAE sign agreement to use local currencies for trade

Dirham-rupiah trade is expected to reduce transactional costs for businesses while strengthening financial cooperation

Turkey-Kuwait-X

Kuwait’s Sheikh Meshal tours Turkey in first non-Arab state visit

The visit underscored the importance of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Kuwait and laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in various fields

Egypt

Egypt: Foreign debt up $3.5bn in Q4 2023; inflation slows to 32.5% in April

Egypt promised the IMF in the March agreement it would resume tightening if necessary to prevent further weakening of its economy

Saudi Arabia posts SAR12.4bn deficit Q1 2024

Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of SAR12.4bn in Q1 2024

Oil revenues reached SAR181.9bn, while total revenues were SAR293.4bn as non-oil revenues edged higher, although oil still dominates

Egypt-GettyImages-520265584-e1703142282632

Egypt braces for second summer of power cuts as gas supplies dwindle

Power cuts are hurting Egypt’s small businesses that play a crucial role in an economy where growth has slowed

Egypt

Egypt’s outlook upgraded to positive on reduced external financing risks: Fitch

Fitch said Egypt’s initial steps to contain off-budget spending should help to reduce public debt sustainability risks

Growth in UAE’s non-oil sector accelerates in April

UAE’s non-oil business activity picks up in April, S&P Global says

The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UAE PMI dropped to 55.3 in April, the lowest reading since August 2023, and further eased from 56.9 in March

Qatar

Qatar’s economy grew 1.2% year-on-year in Q3 2023

The Gulf state posted a budget surplus of QAR1.4bn in the final quarter of 2023, which was used to reduce public debt

Saudi Arabia’s Q1 GDP contracts by 1.8%, oil sector weighs

Saudi Arabia’s Q1 GDP contracts by 1.8%, oil sector weighs

The statistics authority estimated that oil activities plunged by 10.6 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago

Pakistan

IMF approves $1.1bn funding tranche to help Pakistan’s economy

The $350bn economy faces a chronic balance of payments crisis, with nearly $24bn to repay in debt and interest over the next fiscal year

UAE-UKRAINE-CEPA

UAE, Ukraine finalise terms of CEPA deal

The trade deal aims to aid Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding of key industries while helping to strengthen supply chains to the MENA region for exports such as grains, machinery and metals

saudi arabia - Vision 2030 - IMF

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 projects to be adjusted as needed: Finance Minister

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to diversify its economy away from oil under a plan known as Vision 2030

Abu Dhabi GDP

Abu Dhabi sees strong non-oil trade growth amid diversification push

The latest data from the statistics authority shows that non-oil foreign trade grew by more than Dhs281.9bn in 2023

IMF cuts Middle East growth outlook on geopolitical tensions

IMF cuts MENA growth outlook on geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions

Gulf economies are seen growing 2.4 per cent this year, a downward revision of 1.3 percentage points from October

UAE signs bilateral trade deal with Costa Rica

UAE signs bilateral trade deal with Costa Rica

The trade pact between the two countries is expected to enhance trade flows, increase private-sector collaboration, and provide new investment opportunities

Dubai SME incentives, services hit record Dhs233.4m in 2023

Dubai SME boosts growth with over Dhs233m worth of support in 2023

The organisation facilitated the establishment of 2,937 new businesses and provided support services to 1,186 Emirati entrepreneurs

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Inflation dipped to 33.3 per cent in March from a record 38.0 per cent in September

World leaders need to avoid protectionism, said International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva Image courtesy IMF

IMF chief urges global policymakers to avoid protectionism

Addressing the Atlantic Council, Georgieva highlighted the pandemic’s lingering effects, including a staggering $3.3tn in global output losses since 2020, with vulnerable nations disproportionately impacted

Egypt raises $800m from hotels in divestment drive

IMF ties Egypt loan disbursements to currency flexibility

The IMF forecasts that Egypt’s inflation will remain high in the near term, with average inflation for the coming fiscal year, expected at 25.5%

CBUAE

CBUAE quarterly review: UAE economy to grow by 4.2% this year

The Central Bank’s report underscores the UAE’s resilience and positive economic trajectory, fueled by strong performance across various sectors

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP expands over 9% in 2023

The emirate’s GDP in 2023, reached Dhs1.14tn, marking its best performance in ten years

Saudi Arabia - FDI

Saudi FDI inflows rise 16% for Q4 2023

The kingdom hopes to attract $100bn in FDI by 2030 to boost non-oil gross domestic product

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Saudi unemployment rate down to 4.4% in Q4 2023

The rate of unemployment, for both Saudi nationals and expats, decreased in the last quarter of 2023 indicating job creation in the economy

UAE reportedly considering 10-year golden business licences

UAE reportedly considering 10-year golden business licences

The new trade licences are expected to increase government revenue, ensure business continuity, and promote economic growth

Oman

Oman launches $5.2bn ‘future fund’ to drive economic development

By focusing on critical areas, the ‘Future Fund Oman’ aims to revitalise the country’s economic pillars and propel sustainable growth

Dubai sets up environment, climate change authority

Sheikh Mohammed establishes Dubai’s climate change authority

The new initiative, which is aligned with D33, seeks to raise the contribution of the circular and green economy to Dubai’s GDP

TURKEY

Turkey’s central bank stuns with interest rate at 50%

The bank has now raised its key one-week repo rate by 4,150 basis points from 8.5 per cent since last June

Türkiye, GCC states to launch talks for free trade pact

Türkiye, GCC states to launch talks for free trade pact

The trade pact is expected to lead to one of the world’s largest free trade areas, between Türkiye and the GCC, with a total value of $2.4tn

Egypt

Egypt’s credit outlook upgraded to positive by S&P amidst foreign investments

Egypt’s commitment to exchange rate liberalisation combined with budgetary consolidation targets are crucial for boosting international confidence