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Doha will hedge against LNG dependence

Location:

QATAR

Earlier in January, it awarded contracts to increase and sustain output at its main oilfield. Doha wants to dilute its overdependence on a single commodity and to extract value…

Green bond issuance will gradually grow in the Gulf

Location:

GULF STATES

Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a surge in green issuance from Emirati banks highlights the growth in a debt market that can help fund efforts to mitigate and adapt…

Gulf economies are on a stable track despite risks

Location:

GULF STATES

The IMF has revised downwards its forecast for Saudi GDP growth in 2024 to 2.7% but raised its 2025 forecast to 5.5%. This reflects a positive medium-term outlook for the Gulf…

Afghan Taliban will look past UN in seeking engagement

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban were invited but refused to attend. There was no decision on appointing a UN special envoy for Afghanistan as mandated recently, although UN Secretary-General Antonio…

Turkey’s defence industry is set for growth

Location:

TURKEY

A major milestone was showcased in February, as KAAN, the country’s first domestically produced fifth-generation combat aircraft, made its maiden flight. The aircraft is equipped…

Oman's LNG exports will increase as oil plateaus

Location:

OMAN

Previously, in January, the energy ministry announced it was offering three new oil and gas concessions. Muscat wants to engage private companies in efforts to unearth fresh…

Gulf states: Western investment drive will accelerate

Location:

GULF STATES

This trend was sustained in 2023 with USD23bn worth of investments in US markets alone. However, Gulf investments are subject increasingly to greater Western scrutiny because of…

Hungary will ease immigration to meet labour shortage

Location:

HUNGARY

The poorly publicised law provides for an entirely new visa system, focused on streamlining guest-worker and skilled worker permits from third countries. It addresses an…

Turkish foreign policy will seek a power balance

Location:

TURKEY

Turkey’s confrontation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is a key driver of regional and to some extent international policy. Erdogan’s comfortable victory in the May 2023…