Middle East

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA Angola José de Lima Massano Grade: B The performance of Angola’s economy depends more on oil prices than on monetary policy. José de Lima Massano, former CEO of Banco Africano de Investimentos, was appointed central bank ...

Global Finance ranks the 50 Biggest Banks China Breaks Into The Top 10 NEW YORK, September 7, 2011— Global Finance reveals its annual ranking of the World’s 50 Biggest Banks , as measured by total assets. The world’s biggest banks ...

IRAN SIGNS GAS PIPELINE PLAN WITH IRAQ AND SYRIA   By Gordon Platt   Iran is inching forward with its proposal for an “Islamic pipeline” to Europe.   South Pars field to connect with Europe Iran, which has the second- ...

Global Finance names the World’s Best Global Banks 2011 NEW YORK, August 22, 2011 – Global Finance magazine (GFmag.com) has announced its World’s Best Banks 2011 Awards. The annual listing includes the best bank worldwide for corporate, consumer and private ...

Global Finance names the World’s Safest Banks 2011 in the Middle East NEW YORK, August 18, 2011 — Global Finance magazine (GFmag.com) has named the top 10 Safest Banks in the Middle East in an exclusive survey to be published ...

Global Finance names the World’s 50 Safest Banks 2011 NEW YORK, August 18, 2011 – Bank stability is an ever-more pressing concern for the world’s corporations and investors. It is within this context that Global Finance announces it’s 20th Annual ...

Global Finance names the World’s Best Internet Banks in Middle East/Africa 2011 NEW YORK, July 22, 2011 – Global Finance has announced the First Round winners in the “World’s Best Internet Banks” competition in Middle East/Africa. This is the 12th ...

GCC REGIONAL REPORT: MARKING A MILESTONE   By Gordon Platt   The regional group faces new challenges as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.   The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 25 with quiet flag-raising ceremonies ...

GCC REGIONAL REPORT: BACK FROM THE BRINK   By Gordon Platt   Upheaval in the region and beyond is encouraging banks to bolster their balance sheets before launching any aggressive lending programs.   Banks in the GCC have recovered from the ...

EMERGING MARKETS ROUNDUP: MIDDLE EAST   by Gordon Platt   After five months of political wrangling, Lebanon’s prime minister Najib Mikati on June 13 announced a new government led by the Shiite Hezbollah movement, giving Syria and Iran renewed influence ...

GUNS AND BUTTER   The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, led by Saudi Arabia, will spend $120 billion over the next few years to buy advanced fighter planes and anti-missile defense systems. They are spending even larger sums to placate ...

GCC REGIONAL REPORT: OIL MARKETS   By Gordon Platt   Global politics, supply dynamics and the fiscal needs of the GCC’s governments are combining to cloud the prospects for oil prices .   Oil prices have been volatile in recent ...

COUNTRY REPORT: EGYPT   By Justin Keay   Egypt is still in the very early stages of transition, but if it can establish political stability, its economy should grow strongly over the coming years.   If confidence really is the ...

COUNTRY REPORT: KUWAIT   By Gordon Platt   Kuwait has been largely unaffected by the winds of change sweeping through the Middle East and North Africa.   In the 50 years since Britain ended its protectorate and Kuwait became an ...

SAUDI ARABIA REOPENS IPO MARKET WITH TELECOM ISSUE   By Gordon Platt   The first initial public offering of the year in Saudi Arabia, home of the Arab world’s largest stock market, attracted more than 638,000 subscribers, more than 92% ...

Middle East Change Creates New Opportunities   Banks in the Middle East are pulling in their horns in light of the widespread political upheaval in the region. Markets have been unsettled by the political developments, but the economic fundamentals remain ...

Dubai’s Strategic Location Helps It Pull Out Of Slump   By Gordon Platt   Dubai’s position as a strategic trading hub has towed it out of its economic slump.   New heights: Dubai economy looks up Dubai’s position as a ...

Global Finance Announces Best Banks by Region 2011 NEW YORK, April 8, 2011 – Global Finance magazine has announced its annual awards for the World’s Best Banks in Developed and Emerging Markets. For the first time, the selections will be ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: OUTLOOK   By Justin Keay   The rising tide of activism surging through the Middle East and North Africa is accelerating a transformation already well under way.   When asked what was most likely to blow ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: QATAR   By Justin Keay   Careful economic management and a strong strategic vision have helped propel Qatar to the front ranks of the world’s fastest-growing economies.   Ten years ago, Qatar could have safely laid ...