Islamic Finance Set To Tackle Long-Standing Repo Challenge

Developing sharia-compliant substitutes for repos would help Islamic banks manage their liquidity more cheaply and flexibly.

OPEC’s Other Problem: Weak Demand

Oil demand in Asia is not growing quickly enough to offset stagnating consumption, writes Reuters columnist John Kemp.

Uncertainty In Saudi Oil Policy Unleashes Conspiracy Theorists

Oil prices have dived by a third to their lowest since 2010.

Saudi Arabia Leans On Gulf States To Close Ranks As Region Boils

Regional concerns such as Iran’s impending nuclear deal and growing security threats from the region have helped mitigate the widening rift between GCC members, analysts say.

World Cup Host Qatar Must Tackle Labour Abuses

Around 29,400 people, or 1.4 per cent of Qatar’s population, are estimated to be working as slaves, in forced labour or domestic servitude, a report said on Monday.

Sweeping Change: The UAE’s New Central Bank Governor

The UAE’s new central bank governor might not be expected to bring major change but analysts say that the appointment is a welcome step.

Houthi Advance Raises Alert For Saudi Border Guards

Sunni Saudi Arabia is alarmed by the Houthis links to Iran and fears they may seek to emulate the king-making role played in Lebanon by its Shi’ite militia Hezbollah.

Luxury Auction House Christie’s Taps Into Region’s Real Estate Boom

The Christie’s name will soon be facilitating the sale of more than just art and watches in the UAE.

Will Dubai Tram Boost Property Rents And Prices In Marina?

Following the formal launch of the Dubai Tram today, experts say that properties in the immediate vicinity could see a gradual price increases.

Bahrain’s Flexible Visa Scheme To Boost Investments

Bahrain’s new visa policy is expected to boost the nation’s tourism sector and attract more investment to the local economy.

Uncurbed Sectarianism Prompted Village Attack Say Saudi Shi’ites

Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority is feeling increasingly vulnerable amidst rising anger among the majority sect at the plight of Sunnis in other countries, torn apart by sectarian wars.

Saudi Trip To Latin America Evokes 1990s Oil Troika With A New Rival: US

Oil analysts see no sign of a new coalition in the making, despite some parallels to the late 1990s – a structural downturn in oil markets and talk of a price war among producers.

Saudi Arabia Mobilises Clergy And Media Against Jihadi Recruitment

Informed by its previous experience, the Kingdom is using an array of tools against jihadi recruitment apart from the media.

Gulf Economies Edge Towards Reform As Oil Price Slides

The austerity plans may be the first serious effort by the wealthy Gulf Arab states to economise since the oil price slump of the 1990s.

Next Stop For The Yuan’s Global Journey: Canada, Middle East

Beijing is aggressively promoting its currency to more international investors in a bid to turn the “redback” into a global reserve currency, while at the same time expanding its already considerable political and economic clout.

Different Arab money

As Oil Price Slides, Private Businesses In The GCC May Benefit

A string of economic reforms and steps to open up financial markets have created more opportunities for private firms.

Gulf Airlines Target Italy As Transit Point For Expansion

Gulf carriers, looking for routes on which to deploy their fast-growing fleets, have spotted a shortage of long-haul flights and have expanded into Italy.

Where Are Arab Investors Buying Property In London?

Middle Eastern investors are causing a marked shift in London’s prime property market.

Oil Market Proves Mightier Than OPEC

Prices above $100 are unsustainable because they lead to too much new supply and too much demand destruction, writes Reuters columnist John Kemp.

Sohar Port Challenges Gulf Rivals As Oman Pushes Beyond Oil

Sohar is starting to compete for traffic with Jebel Ali and other top Gulf ports, as part of a far-reaching plan by Oman to diversify its economy beyond oil.

Saudi Bank’s $6bn IPO Ignites Religious Controversy

The controversy underlines how Saudi Arabia’s conservative brand of Islam can complicate economic decision-making in the Kingdom.

Privately, Saudis Tell Oil Market: Get Used To Lower Prices

The Saudis now appear to be betting that a period of lower prices will be necessary to pave the way for higher revenue in the medium term.

Sudden IPO Rush Threatens UAE Listings Market Revival

After five years without an IPO of notable size, Emaar Malls Group attracted orders worth more than $47 billion for its $1.58 billion Dubai listing last month.

Threat To Syrian Town Tests Patience For U.S. Strategy

The current strategy requires Western patience that grows thinner with each headline of gruesome Islamic State atrocities or videos depicting beheadings of American or British hostages.

Saudi Arabia Clerics Step Up Anti-Islamic State Drive At Haj

About three million Muslims, among them 1.4 million from abroad, are expected to perform haj this year.

Has Dubai’s Property Market Finally Lost Steam?

Although this year’s Cityscape saw bigger displays and numerous new project launches, experts say the market is leveling off.

Saudi Arabia Fears Yemeni Tumult May Boost Its Main Foe Iran

The capture of Yemen’s capital Sanaa by Houthi fighters, who have ties with Iran, has jolted Saudi Arabia.

Syria Raids Show Saudi, UAE Ambition To Extend Regional Authority

While neither country appears likely to move towards the habitual use of military power, the strikes in Syria demonstrated a growing comfort with the use of hard power alongside diplomacy.

Can Apple Make Wearables “Cool”?

While the new smartwatch from Apple looks good, experts say it is far from a revolutionary product.

PwC-Booz Merger: How Will It Affect The Middle East

Following the completion of PwC’s acquisition of Booz & Company, senior partners Hani Ashkar and Per-Ola Karlsson, explain why the deal could have its largest impact in the Middle East.