Middle East

Dubai is remaking itself as an infotech hub. But strong ties to the regional oil sector are keeping the economy on a roller coaster.

Mohammad Al Duaij studied finance in the UK and worked in several Kuwaiti financial institutions before taking the helm of Alea Global Group, a real estate and private-equity investment conglomerate founded by his parents.

Recent signs of outreach suggest an easing of the Saudi-Qatari quarrel. But don’t expect a united front against Iran.

Oman is tapping an Icelandic startup for a new bureau to speed credit applications.

Saudi Arabia is looking for greater foreign investment.

The GCC’s smallest state is betting it can top its ambitious neighbors in building a fintech hub.

Kuwait gets an upgrade.

Oman faces a serious cash squeeze due in part to factors beyond its control and in part to factors of its own making.

Two north African nations try to stabilize their finances.

Aramco hits up the bond market as excitement around potential IPO fades.

Consolidation driven by weak credit demand will ease overcapacity and boost profits.

Growth continues for Islamic financial institutions, helped by technology and product innovations.

CEO Nemeh Sabbagh talks about how technology, trade and green financing put Arab Bank at the forefront of change for its client base.

Tighter fiscal policies and oil-output cuts agreed to by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), plus Russia, could cause economic growth in the Middle East region to slow this year. Favorable demographics will underpin long-term growth in the decades ahead, but productivity gains will be slow, economists say. Despite efforts to diversify their economies, the Arab Gulf countries will remain reliant on their oil and gas sectors for years to come.

Putting the war-ravaged country back together will cost $400 billion. With Assad still in power and US sanctions still in place, who will foot the bill—and reap the benefit? 

The emirate’s deep pockets are helping it secure new and deeper trade and investment ties in an end run around the Saudi economic embargo.

ABK-Egypt CEO and Managing Director Khaled El Salawy discusses how technology is making banking easier for consumers and businesses in a fast-growing economy.

Faisal Al Haimus, CEO of Trade Bank of Iraq, talks about his country’s prospects for economic growth—and potential to leap ahead with new technology—as it emerges from hard years.

Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Acting Group CEO Qatar National Bank (QNB), talks about the bank’s performance, compliance and expansion plans.

Iraq’s new government must push reconstruction forward, pull in new foreign investment and produce results for a battered population. Its time is limited.