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IMF Staff Completes 2015 Article IV Mission to
June 1, 2015--"The decline in oil prices is resulting in substantially lower export and fiscal revenues, but the effect on the rest of the economy has so far been limited. Real GDP growth is projected by IMF staff at a healthy 3.5 percent this year, unchanged from 2014, with an increase in oil production and continued government spending expected to support the economy.
Growth, however, is projected to slow to 2.7 percent in 2016 as government spending begins to adjust to the lower oil price environment. Over the medium-term, growth is expected to be around 3 percent. Inflation is likely to remain subdued.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tim Callen held discussions from May 17-28 on the 2015 Article IV Consultation with Saudi Arabia.
Qatar's GDP expected to grow by up to 17 per cent by 2017
May 28, 2015--The Gulf nation holds the world's third-largest natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran.
Gulf markets consolidate; MSCI picks gain
May 26, 2015--Dubai's stock index inched up 0.1 percent in thin trade which focused on Dubai Parks and Resorts,
up 1.0 percent at 1.05 dirhams.
Egypt: Egypt's Bourse Shows Varied Performance
May 29, 2015-- The Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) indexes showed varied performance at the close of Wednesday 27/5/2015 trading amid purchases by Egyptian investors and Arab individuals and
sales by foreign institutions and investment funds.
Egypt may extend rally; Gulf could move sideways as oil flat
May 25, 2015--The rally began last week after Egypt's government put on hold the introduction
of a 10 percent tax on capital gains.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Egypt may rise further on capital gains tax delay
May 19, 2015--Egypt's bourse may extend its gains on Tuesday after many stocks in Cairo surged their daily 10 percent limit on Monday because the government put on hold a capital gains tax. Gulf markets may continue moving sideways.
The Cairo index soared 6.5 percent on Monday after the cabinet froze plans for a 10 percent tax on capital gains for two years.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf markets may diverge further, Saudi nears chart barrier
May 18, 2015--Gulf stock markets may remain largely trendless on Monday after the Saudi-led coalition resumed air raids against Yemen's Houthis, while Egypt may bounce from near major technical support at its December low.
Oil prices have edged up on Monday on supply concerns in the Middle East following fighting in Iraq and Yemen, but signs of strengthening U.S. production have capped gains. Front-month Brent futures are up 13 cents at $66.94 a barrel
Saudi Arabian stock market welcomes foreign investors
May 17, 2015--Saudi Arabia's decision to open its stock market to foreign institutions is being heralded as a "game changer".
Under the new rules, qualified foreign investors (QFIs) with at least $5bn in assets under management and a five-year investment record will be able to buy up to 10 per cent of the shares of any listed Saudi company from next month.
QSE awaiting regulatory nod to launch 3 live ETFs
May 13, 2015--The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday said it is ready to launch three live exchange-traded funds (ETFs) any time but awaiting final clearance from the regulator.
"QSE offers a platform for ETFs and is working on three live projects. However, we are waiting on the runway for clearance from the control tower (the regulator) to take off and launch ETFs," the bourse's chief executive Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori..
Govt fixed income risk ETF from Asia borrower set for QSE listing
May 13, 2015--An exchange traded fund (ETF) based on government fixed income risk from an Asian borrower, which is among three such funds, is all set to be listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), apart from new listings in the main as well as the junior bourse for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Moreover, efforts are on to establish an 'on-exchange' market for private companies (similar in concept to the recently announce Nasdaq model) and corporate bonds to complement the existing government and T-bills market.