Economics and Policy The United Nations appealed for a record $6.5bn for Syria and its neighbours on Monday to help 16 million people, many of them hungry or homeless victims of a conflict that has lasted 33 months with no end in sight. More from Reuters New car sales in Lebanon are forecast to…
Business briefing: 16 Dec 2013
Economics and Policy An Israeli soldier has been killed by a Lebanese army sniper from across the border, the Israeli military has said. More from the BBC Egypt will pay $300 million of the money it owes to foreign oil companies in Egyptian pounds, a Finance Ministry statement said, as part of a $1.5-billion…
Business briefing: 12 Dec 2013
Economics and Policy Iran and the UAE are reportedly close to reaching a deal on returning three Iranian-occupied islands in the Arabian Gulf to the UAE. More from Arabian Business Some of the ministers refuse to involve Lebanon's Higher Council for Privatization in certain vital projects in order not to undermine their authority and…
Business briefing: 9 Dec 2013
Economics and Policy Hundreds of Egyptian police rallied on Sunday to demand higher wages, in a rare act of defiance of a new protest law which they themselves have been enforcing to quell unrest on the streets. More from Reuters Qatar’s diversifying economy is set to reap rewards with the non-hydrocarbon sector predicted to…
Business briefing: 5 Dec 2013
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…