Economics and Policy UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted an invitation from Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to visit Tehran. More from Arabian Business Caretaker Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil has urged politicians to end a dispute that has blocked the passage of key oil and gas legislation, while reiterating…
Business briefing: 2 Dec 2013
Economics and Policy Lebanon continues to battle with US sanctions on banking secrecy. More from The Daily Star The absence of Arab tourists and investors is weighing heavily on the Lebanese economy, said Mohammad Choukeir, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Beirut. More from The Daily Star Iran has said…
Business briefing: 29 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy Dubai’s prolific win to host Expo 2020 will fast-track infrastructure developments such as rail projects and ramp up logistics facilities that are worth billions of dollars. More from Gulf Business Dubai’s measure hits a five-year closing high after the emirate was chosen to host World Expo 2020, although the benchmark gives…
Business briefing: 27 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy Most foreign oil firms are still keen to operate in Lebanon despite the delay in launching the offshore gas auction. More from The Daily Star FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Tuesday defended under-fire 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar over what he called “unfair” European media attacks. More from Reuters The UAE…
Business briefing: 26 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy The caretaker tourism minister has called on the Lebanese diaspora to deliver a Christmas gift to the country this year: Visit Lebanon over the holiday season to send a message that terrorism wouldn’t work. More from The Daily Star Lebanese banks have provided 96,000 housing loans thanks to the soft loan…
Business briefing: 25 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy Lebanon will close any illegal Syrian businesses after a nationwide survey on these enterprises is completed, a senior official at the Economy Ministry said over the weekend. More from The Daily Star Iran’s pledge to limit nuclear work in return for looser economic sanctions will have a “muted” impact on crude prices…
Business briefing: 20 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy Tuesday’s bombing of the Iranian Embassy in Beirut will damage efforts to encourage investment in Lebanon, experts told The Daily Star, warning that another spate of deadly bombings linked to the war in Syria might be the last straw for the economy. More from The Daily Star Syria’s army has pushed…
Business briefing: 19 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy A new stimulus package from Lebanon’s Central Bank will boost economic activity in 2014, economists have said. More from The Daily Star Iran’s state-owned National Iranian Gas Co. has declared bankruptcy with more than $4 billion in debt, local media has reported. More from Bloomberg Libya's deputy intelligence chief was…
Business briefing: 18 Nov 2013
Economics and Policy The fall of imports this year has reduced the balance of payments deficit in Lebanon, a leading academic has said. More from The Daily Star The United Arab Emirates Banks Federation will recommend that the central bank fine lenders who breach stricter mortgage loan rules as it seeks to prevent a…
Business briefing: 14 Nov 2013
Caretaker Industry Minister Vreij Sabounjian has met with an official from the United Nations Development Program to discuss the participation of Lebanese firms in the Syrian refugee aid response. More from The Daily Star Oman’s public sector wage bill may jump by as much as $2.3 billion next year, according to the finance minister, accelerating…