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IMF Staff Concludes Visit to West Bank and Gaza
February 20, 2018--With growth slowing and scarce economic and financial buffers, the strained geopolitical situation is testing the resilience of the Palestinian economy.
Reunifying the West Bank and Gaza under a single administration could provide a modest boost to growth, but managing the budgetary costs will not be easy.
This will require a fundamental shift by all parties-deeper reforms by the Palestinian Authority, stronger Israeli cooperation on fiscal leakages, and revived donor engagement.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Karen Ongley visited East Jerusalem and Ramallah during February 4-14, 2018, to assess recent economic developments in the West Bank and Gaza. The IMF team met with Finance Minister Shukry Bishara, Governor Azzam Shawwa, and other Palestinian officials. At the end of the visit, Ms. Ongley issued the following statement:
"Strains on the Palestinian economy became more evident during 2017. While the authorities see somewhat higher growth, staff estimates that growth slowed to close to 3 percent. Liquidity constraints and fewer economic buffers held back consumption and investment, most acutely in Gaza."
MIDEAST STOCKS-Region barely moves, dividend cut pulls down Abu Dhabi's Waha Capital
February 20, 2018--Gulf stock markets barely moved early on Monday although a dividend cut pulled down major Abu Dhabi-listed financial firm Waha Capital.
The Abu Dhabi index slipped 0.2 percent as Waha, which had been trading near 10-month highs, pulled back 4.1 percent.
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MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi rises in early trade, most of Gulf sluggish
February 15, 2018--Saudi Arabia's stock market rose in early trade on Thursday, encouraged by strong global bourses and a slight rebound in oil prices, but most of the Gulf was sluggish because of mediocre corporate earnings.
The Saudi index gained 0.7 percent in the first 45 minutes in a broad-based rise.view more
MIDEAST STOCKS-Global environment positive, Gulf earnings mostly lacklustre
February 15, 2018--The global market environment is positive for Gulf stock markets on Thursday although mostly lacklustre corporate earnings in the region may limit any strength in stocks.
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MIDEAST STOCKS-Few positives for Gulf, GFH cuts dividend
February 14, 2018--Gulf stock markets appear to have few fresh positives on Wednesday and may consolidate in sluggish trade, with Dubai dampened by earnings and dividend news from several companies.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Global rebound may lift Gulf; Industries Qatar has strong Q4
February 13, 2018--A rebound in global equity markets may lift stock markets in the Gulf on Tuesday, with strong fourth-quarter earnings by Industries Qatar buoying the bourse in that country.
Mideast Stocks: Global volatility to weigh on region
February 11, 2018--The volatility of global stock markets and oil looks likely to weigh on Gulf bourses on Sunday, with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt at risk of foreign fund outflows.
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Egypt T-bill yields fall to lowest since currency float
February 8, 2018--Average yields on Egypt's six-month and one-year treasury bills fell on Thursday, data from the central bank showed, extending a decline that has taken yields to their lowest levels since the country floated its currency in late 2016.
The yield on the 182-day bill fell to 17.358 percent from 17.611 percent at the last similar auction, and the yield on the 357-day bill fell to 16.435 percent from 16.679 percent.
Saudi bourse is ready for any decision on Aramco listing-official
February 8, 2018--Saudi officials have said the government plans to sell up to 5% of Aramco shares on one or more foreign exchanges in addition to Riyadh.
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Solactive US Internet Index used as the basis for IBI ETF trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
February 7, 2018--Solactive is pleased to announce that the Solactive US Internet Index is used as the underlying index for IBI's newly-launched ETF, I.B.I.(4D) SAL Solactive US Internet, trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
The index tracks the performance of US companies operating in the Internet sector with a minimum market capitalization of USD 500 million. These companies provide Internet-related goods or services, and are involved in activities such as network communications, Internet access, Internet infrastructure, Internet software, e-commerce, website design, web hosting, and cloud computing.