Middle East

Under dramatic new conditions, business is rapidly adapting, with unpredictable long-term effects.

Regional powerhouse Arab Bank reaches its 90-year milestone this year. Nemeh Sabbagh, CEO, talks to Global Finance about current challenges and opportunities. 

UAE may become an even bigger player in the gas markets in the near future.

Lebanon's political turmoil makes solving its deep-seated economic problems even more difficult.

Lebanon seems likely to default on its bond obligations next week.

What started as a reaction to falling oil prices has spread from energy to banking and other sectors of the regional economy.

A small step forward for women's rights.

Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani is co-founder and managing partner of Faith Capital, a Kuwait-based regional VC fund; and CEO of Floward, an online flower and gift retailer. He was previously vice chairman of Kuwait’s National Fund for SME Development and a co-founder of Talabat, the Middle East’s largest online food-ordering platform. He talks about opportunities and the growth of entrepreneurship in the region.

Kuwait’s startup scene has largely developed under the world’s radar, yet the tiny ecosystem has produced some of the Middle East’s biggest exits to date.

Kuwait is keen to diversify its energy-centered economy. Foreign investment and market liberalization are definitely part of the formula.

Aramco's long-anticipated IPO succeeds at last.

With oil prices low and stress on liquidity, banks in the GCC are increasingly looking to consolidate in order to remain strong. 

Four Middle Eastern nations are implementing a slew of reforms to attract foreign investment.

Levantine banks operate in fragile economies in a region facing severe upheaval. Some are finding a way through the chaos better than others.

Egypt and Lebanon may have very different economies but they have one thing in common: the importance of their central banks.

Kuwait's stock exchange is going public.

Saudi Arabia's new energy minister faces his first crisis.

Aramco's IPO is central to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reform plan.

The tiny emirate can rely on natural gas, infrastructure projects, foreign investment—and the World Cup—to weather a blockade by its neighbors.

Telecoms are moving into banking as disruptive technologies like Skype and Whatsapp squeeze margins.