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Egypt’s new capital will not help the housing crisis

Location:

EGYPT

Effects of the new capital.

Saudi Arabia will fall short of housing targets

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The national housing deficit is estimated at 1.5 million homes, rising rapidly given the country's youthful demographic profile. This is an important government policy target…

United Arab Emirates growth may depend on transparency

Location:

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy is increasingly diversified, not least with the imposition of VAT since January 1 -- albeit at a low initial level of 5%. Fiscal…

Islamic State poses limited threat in Afghanistan

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

Some observers have suggested that this is a sign of an IS-K resurgence. The ruling Taliban have tried hard since their takeover in 2021 to suppress the group, a long-standing…

Need will drive solar power growth in the Middle East

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

Solar energy use in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq is being driven from the grassroots up or through foreign aid. Its growth is a practical response to intermittent electricity supplies…

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…

Saudi Arabia may widen its tax net

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The finance ministry has sought to boost non-oil revenue by increasing the value-added tax (VAT) rate and other measures. The finance minister has also floated the possibility of…

Financing shortfall will push Oman to uneasy austerity

Location:

OMAN

A fiscal crunch exacerbated by the pandemic and associated oil-price crash has forced the authorities to step up long-term ‘Omanisation’ efforts, ultimately taking pressure off…

Gulf investors offer Egypt’s finances temporary relief

Location:

EGYPT

Earlier, Cairo had announced plans to raise finance by selling off state-owned assets. It is seeking to cover deficits that are increasing rapidly because of the global commodity…

Moroccans face more political and economic stagnation

Location:

MOROCCO

Although the economy is still faring better than others in North Africa, public discontent has increased. Significant segments of the population, especially in rural areas, are…