Syria would be divided into informal zones of regional power influence and Bashar al-Assad would remain president for at least a few years according to an outline deal between Russia, Turkey and Iran reached earlier this month. Reuters reported today…
Month: December 2016
2016: the year history ended again and the world became multipolar once more
The Soviet Union was dissolved on 26 December 1991 The red flag over the Kremlin was replaced with the pre-1917 Tsarist one. It was the end of the Soviet challenge which shaped most of the 20th century. A year…
Arab leaders hope Trump will make their new year wishes come true
Reviled by Western liberals and dismissed by foreign policy specialists, Donald Trump is being viewed with favour by leaders of the Arab world’s most powerful nations. In an interview with the The Financial Times published today, Egypt’s President El-Sisi welcomed Trump’s…
GCC construction projects market down one-third in 2016
The GCC projects market is expected to record at best $120 billion worth of contract awards in 2016, down at least a third on 2015 levels and well below what was initially forecast, as low oil prices severely impact government…
NBK says Bahrain to recover in 2017
The Bahraini economy will recover in 2017 on higher oil prices and non-oil output, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) says in a report released today,. “Real GDP growth is poised to hold in 2016 on signs of resilience in the non-oil…
Iran hotel investment conference planned for February
The inaugural Iran Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (IHTIC) organised by Bench Events is to be held in Tehran on 7-8 February 2017 to identify opportunities for investors, developers and service providers in one of the world’s most exciting hospitality…
Strong line up for AHIC 2017
Global hospitality industry leaders including CEO of Hilton Worldwide Chris Nassetta are among the speakers confirmed to address the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) which is being held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 25-27 April 2017. The…
Ras al-Khaimah affirmed at A
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ras al-Khaimah’s long-term foreign and local currency issuer default ratings (IDRs) at A with a stable outlook. The issue ratings on RAK Capital’s senior unsecured foreign- currency bonds are also affirmed at A. The UAE country Ceiling…
Filmmakers win Dubai film funding
The Dubai Film Connection (DFC), the co-production market of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has awarded six Arab filmmakers funding and key partnership opportunities with leading international and regional film industry experts worth $50,000 Five of the award winners…
Fitch says GCC bank outlook remains negative
Low oil prices continue to pressure bank liquidity and are also taking their toll on asset quality and earnings for banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Fitch Ratings says in a report released today. Fitch’s sector outlook for GCC…