Middle East ETP News
you are currently viewing::GCC: Growth on the Rise, but Smart Spending Will Shape a Thriving FutureJune 19, 2025-Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is projected to increase in the medium-term to 3.2% in 2025 and 4.50% in 2026. This growth is likely to be driven by the expected rollback of OPEC+ oil production cuts and robust expansion of non-oil sectors. According to the latest edition of the Gulf Economic Update (GEU), regional growth was 1.7% in 2024 -an improvement from 0.3% in 2023. The non-hydrocarbon sector remained resilient, expanding by 3.7%--largely fueled by private consumption, investment, and structural reforms across the GCC. Source: worldbank.org |
RMB adoption in the Middle East is reshaping regional economies and trade flows
March 11, 2026--A new study by Standard Chartered pegs the primary drivers behind RMB's growth in the region to energy settlements in the Middle East
The growing dominance of Renminbi (RMB) in the Middle East as a strategic currency is a direct result of a convergence in pricing dynamics, counterparty preference and long-dated capital needs, particularly in the fields of energy trade, according to Standard Chartered.
Mideast Stocks: UAE leads Gulf bourses lower; oil leaps on Iran war
March 9, 2026--Dubai's main share index dropped 3.8%
Most Gulf markets fell in early Monday trading, led by sharp losses in the UAE, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continuedand oil prices jumped more than 15% on supply cuts and fears of prolonged Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.
Saudi Arabia's GDP grows 4.5% in 2025
March 9, 2026--Oil activities recorded growth of 5.7%
General Authority for Statistics said Saudi Arabia's real gross domestic product grew by 4.5% in 2025 compared with 2024, driven by growth across all major economic sectors.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf bourses rise; UAE shares extend losses as Middle East conflict widens
March 5, 2026--Both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi exchanges said they will temporarily set a 5% lower price limit on securities
Most Gulf stock markets rose in early trading on Thursday, but UAE equities fell again, extending the prior session's losses after exchanges reopened on Wednesday following a two-day suspension prompted by Iran's weekend missile-and-drone barrage on the Emirates.
UAE markets slide but Saudi stocks extend recovery
March 4, 2026--DFM and ADX reopen after 2 days
Both imposed -5% temporary limit
Tadawul All-Shares up 1.6% in morning
UAE equity markets tumbled on Wednesday as trading resumed for the first session since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, sparking a broader Middle East conflict.
UAE non-oil business activity expands to 12-month high in February
March 4, 2026--PMI points to growth in sectors such as construction, real estate, logistics and technology
The UAE's non-oil private sector expanded at the fastest pace in a year in February as business activity strengthened, according to new survey data released on Wednesday.
LNG shutdown sinks Qatar stocks but Tadawul rebounds
March 3, 2026-- Bourse dives as global markets reel on Middle East tensions.
Qatar LNG production still halted
Doha bourse lowest since June 2025
Saudi market up as Aramco advances
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala doubles investment in Bitcoin ETF to $630mln
February 18, 2026--Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company has given a substantial boost to its holdings in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF with Tuesday's Q4 2025 SEC 13F filings revealing an ownership of 12.7 million shares valued at $630.6 million as of December 31.
UAE, Saudi to anchor Middle East's $25bln sustainable bond surge in 2026
February 18, 2026--Diversification has become harder since 2020 as stocks and bonds tend to move in tandem during sharp selloffs, adding to financial stability concerns
Spreading investments across asset classes can reduce risk and smooth returns. The classic diversification between stocks and bonds worked historically because they moved in opposite directions.
IMF Staff Country Report-Kuwait: 2025 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
February 17, 2026--Summary
Kuwait has started the transition from an oil dependent welfare state towards a dynamic and diversified economy. Reform momentum has been building, starting with enactment of the Financing and Liquidity Law.
