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
Qatar’s first VC fund of $1B expected to 'fuel startup ecosystem in region' The program has two objectives: to generate market-level commercial returns for Qataris and to develop a “vibrant VC and startup ecosystem” in line with the country's national development strategy. Qatar
UAE dropped from global watchdog’s illicit finance list in quick turnaround The Gulf country was added to the Financial Action Task Force's grey list in March 2022. United Arab Emirates
Turkey to play 'important role' in sukuk market despite paused UAE deal Turkey has been looking to shore up financing to help it rebuild its economy after devastating twin earthquakes in 2023 killed more than 53,000 people and cost the country north of $50 billion. Turkey
Israel to reward new immigrants for settling in periphery, West Bank Israel's Immigration and Finance Ministries unveiled a new scheme offering economic incentives for immigrants who settle in peripheral northern or southern communities or in the occupied West Bank. Israel
Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq’s financial system. Iraq
Davos 2024: Inside Investcorp’s plan to build China-Gulf 'investment bridge' In an interview with Al-Monitor, co-CEO Hazem Ben-Gacem said there is a big push for infrastructure funding in the Asia-Pacific region, controlled buyouts in Japan and growth investments in India and China. Bahrain
EU sanctions Hamas' Yahya Sinwar and Somalia's al-Shabab top leader The European Union Council announced Tuesday it was taking restrictive financial measures against the Gaza-based group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar. Israel
Saudi PIF invested $31.6B in 2023, record in global sovereign wealth funds The PIF is estimated to have nearly $800 billion in assets and wants to become the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund by 2030. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israeli FM rejects France’s call for cease-fire as 'gift for Hamas' While rejecting the call by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the two countries are working together to de-escalate tensions on the Lebanon border. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
How France is targeting Hamas financing Representatives of 20 countries gathered in Paris to formulate a plan against the financing of Hamas and expand sanctions against its members. Israel
Bahrain's Investcorp buys 50% of Corsair's $4.8B infrastructure business The new entity, Investcorp Corsair, will continue to grow with a particular focus on transportation, logistics and related subsectors, a statement from the two companies said. Bahrain
France, Germany, Italy push for EU sanctions against Hamas leaders In a letter to the European Union Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers of the three countries stress they would like to see more Hamas leaders sanctioned. Israel
