France's Macron eyes defense deals, Lebanon support on Saudi state visit French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a one-on-one dinner on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia
Turkey launches counterfeit US dollar probe as exchange offices halt trade The Banking Association of Turkey said currency counting machines, counterfeit currency detection devices as well as ATMs were being updated against circulation of counterfeit banknotes. Turkey
China embraces debt listings to tap into Gulf’s pool of wealth As UAE stock markets hit $1 trillion in market capitalization for the first time last week, an increasing number of Chinese entities are choosing to list some of their debt on Gulf capital markets. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Barclays fined $50M for failing to disclose 2008 Qatari funding The UK-headquartered bank will pay a fine of 40 million pounds to British regulators for failing to disclose information of its rescue by Qatar during the 2008 financial crisis. Qatar
Analysis As Saied begins new term as president, Tunisians brace for unstable governance By Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line. Lebanon
Dubai beats Singapore, London as top city for 'greenfield' FDI projects FDI Markets data, compiled by the Financial Times, found the UAE's financial capital ranked top overall in global "greenfield" FDI projects attracted in 2023. United Arab Emirates
Bahrain's Investcorp, China's CIC launch $1B Sino-Gulf investment platform The companies the fund will target are expected to have high growth potential in attractive sectors, including consumer, health care, logistics and business services, the Bahrain-based alternative asset manager said. Bahrain
US unveils sanctions on Hamas spokesperson Abu Ubaida The US Treasury Department also targeted Hamas members linked to the group’s cyber and drone operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Israel
Interview Incoming legislation to make 'big difference' for Egypt's fintechs, MNT-Halan CEO says Mounir Nakhla told Al-Monitor that although financial inclusion has increased in Egypt over the past few years, much of the country's population is still unbanked. Mounir Nakhla CEO of MNT-Halan
Saudi Arabia, UAE amp up Africa investments amid growing competition Africa is seeing a major uptick in investments from the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which presents the possibility of 'greater returns' for the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia
Saudi private equity investment peaked at $4B in 2023 amid rising buyouts The kingdom's deep-pocketed sovereign wealth fund was involved in the top three private equity transactions between 2019 and 2023. Saudi Arabia
Switzerland reports violation by Lebanon’s Audi bank in Riad Salameh probe The action by FINMA concerns connections around disgraced former Lebanese Central Bank governor Riad Salameh. Lebanon
What's behind Saudi Arabia's decision to host first-ever 'Dragon Ball' theme park The announcement of the park based on the popular Japanese anime show follows the kingdom’s developments in video games and mixed martial arts. Saudi Arabia
What’s behind Dubai’s new 20% tax on foreign banks? The UAE implemented its first-ever corporate tax last year in an effort to boost revenue amid the shift away from oil and gas. Gulf
Egypt’s pound falls 60% amid currency float, $5B IMF deal Egypt announced that it had expanded a previously $3 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund after the decision to float the currency was made public. Egypt
Yellen urges Israel to ease West Bank’s economic woes Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for Israel to reduce barriers to commerce in the West Bank and reinstate work permits for Palestinians that were revoked after Oct. 7. Israel
