UAE’s private sector sees strong growth, but profits margins stay slim

Positive sentiment in the non-oil private sector reached its highest in at least six years

Negative impact of VAT on UAE, Saudi only short-term – PwC

The introduction of the tax has led to an increase in inflation,while PMIs have dipped

Dubai unemployment rate increases slightly in 2017

A total of 2,778,000 people were employed in the emirate last year

Bahrain must consider revising its subsidy system – IMF official

Further measures are needed in Bahrain to avoid a slowdown in economic growth, says official

Dubai cancels corporate fines in bid to boost business

New decree cancels fines imposed by the Department of Economic Development through the end of 2018

UAE non-oil economic growth slows slightly in Q1

Non-oil economic activity grew by 3.1 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter

Gulf economies may be winners after US Iran deal exit

Apart from Dubai and Oman, the wealthy Gulf oil exporting states have minimal trade and investment links with Iran

Job losses noted in Dubai’s construction and travel firms in Feb

However, monthly survey finds “strong and robust expansion” in business activity in Dubai’s private sector

Business confidence in UAE’s non-oil sector drops to six-month low

The rate of growth of job creation dropped to its slowest since June 2017

UAE cabinet approves federal budget for 2018

Spending has been projected at Dhs51.4bn, a rise of 5.6 per cent from 2017

Saudi says companies with ties to corruption suspects will not be disrupted

Saudi banks have reportedly frozen more than 1,200 accounts on the central bank’s instructions

Saudi to push back balanced budget target to 2023

The kingdom planned to eliminate the budget deficit by 2020

Saudi state-owned defence company SAMI appoints new CEO

Created in May, Saudi Arabian Military Industries is backed by the Public Investment Fund

Dubai launches Dhs2.7bn e-commerce freezone

The project is being developed in the Umm Ramool area by DAFZA and wasl

IPO planned for new Saudi mega city NEOM – Crown Prince

The 26,500sqkm business and industrial zone will extend into Jordan and Egypt

Saudi industrial city KAEC plans jazz festival this year

Foreign musicians are also expected to perform at the festival

Saudi unveils $500bn city to develop border region with Jordan, Egypt

The 26,500 square km zone, known as NEOM, will focus on industries

Saudi accuses 32 people of spying for Iran

Saudi needs Aramco billions as recession slows austerity drive

The slump is a threat to Saudi’s ambitious economic reforms

Almost 50% of UAE workers expect salaries to rise in next six months

Survey also finds that 63 per cent expect their family’s financial position to “improve” in the next six months

UAE non-oil growth to accelerate in 2018

The country’s non-oil sector is expected to grow 3.5 per cent next year

Saudi says it is accelerating economic reforms, Aramco IPO on track

Riyadh plans to sell about 5 per cent of Aramco in 2018, to raise money for reinvestment in non-oil industries

Egypt signs memo with China for $739m rail link to new capital

The new Egyptian capital is under construction in the desert some 45km north of Cairo

Moody’s downgrades outlook on Oman’s banking system to negative

The report attributed the change to the Omani government’s reduced capacity to support banks

Is Saudi’s bold vision taking shape?

Heralding major reforms, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme was launched with much gusto last year. Has there been significant progress?

Key new regulations implemented under Saudi’s new Crown Prince

Several initiatives have been launched under the Vision 2030 reforms programme

Oman signs $3.55bn loan with Chinese banks

Oman has borrowed over $10bn this year to replenish coffers hit hard by lower oil prices

UAE’s private sector sees steep drop in export orders in July

The overall non-oil economy posted the strongest growth in three months, finds survey

Oman in talks with banks about loan and bond

The sultanate has already raised $7bn from international bonds this year

Ratings agency Moody’s downgrades Oman’s outlook to negative

The agency blamed the downgrade on Oman’s continuing reliance on the oil sector

Almost 50% of Dubai SMEs expect business conditions to improve in Q3

Easing of visa restrictions on Indian, Chinese and Russian tourists helped boost business confidence, finds survey