Economics
Jordan aims to cut its budget deficit by about a third this year to curb the impact of soaring fuel import costs and high social spending linked to the wave of Arab uprisings.
Iraq's monthly oil exports fell by 10 percent in December, highlighting the volatility that still characterizes the country's growing oil sector.
Egypt dipped deeper into its rapidly shrinking currency reserves Thursday, fighting to slow a sliding pound which is likely to push up inflation and risks reigniting popular unrest.
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services ranked Lebanon in the high-risk group eight in its latest Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment.
Companies
A Saudi-listed company has announced the acquisition of a 32.5 percent stake in an Indian car leasing firm.
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has announced that its board has approved plans to buy 100 percent of mortgage provider Tamweel, in which it already holds a majority stake of 58.2 percent.
The UAE has signed an agreement with Turkey, which will allow state-linked energy giant Taqa to develop $12 billion worth power plants and explore coal mines in the resource rich Afsin-Elbistan region.
