Lebanon's economy has been underperforming in recent years, hit by political uncertainty and fears over the conflict in Syria. However, an injection of finance from a group of international donors, combined with excitement over oil and gas discoveries, provide some cause for optimism. James King reports.
Middle East
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Lebanese banks confound expectations – but for how long?
June 1, 2018Lebanese banks have weathered punishing conditions, including a tough new tax regime. Technological innovations continue to drive progress, but as James King reports, structural economic flaws must be addressed if they are to continue to thrive.
Economic Development Board chief eyes fintech model for Bahrain
June 1, 2018Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, talks to James King about moving the country's economy away from oil, leveraging its financial hub credentials to attract fintechs and how Amazon gave it a vote of confidence by locating its first regional data centre there.
UAE seeks Middle East arbitration hub status
May 1, 2018The United Arab Emirates is hoping to build on its growing reputation as a business hub with a law designed to boost its credentials as a regional centre for arbitration, an increasingly popular method of dispute resolution. Kit Gillet reports.
Banks look to cash in on changing Saudi environment
May 1, 2018Saudi Arabia’s economy is changing as taxes on expat workers fuel an exodus, while the relaxation of driving rules is giving women more employment opportunities. Together with developing sectors such as entertainment and home ownership, this is providing local banks with plenty of opportunities, as James King reports.
How will reforms change Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2018Saudi Arabia is undergoing vast social and economic reforms, aimed at reducing its dependence on oil, providing employment for women and the young, and emerging as a regional capital markets hub. James King looks at the progress being made so far.
Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority sets reform example
May 1, 2018A key component of Saudi Arabia's wide-ranging reforms include modernising the economy, and the Capital Market Authority, led by Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, is in the forefront of driving this change. James King reports.
Sagia governor looks to help Saudi Arabia meet Vision 2030 goals
May 1, 2018As Saudi Arabia pushes on with reforms designed to make it a regional investment powerhouse, Ibrahim AlOmar, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, talks to James King about the part the licensing body will play.
Kuwait prepares for oil expansion as OPEC deal nears end
April 3, 2018While a global deal to cut oil production has helped to rebalance the market, Kuwait, along with other oil-reliant countries, must now look to what happens when the deal ends. Kit Gillet reports.
Kuwait IPA chief seeks easy options
April 3, 2018Dr Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, director-general of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, discusses the country’s plans to cut bureaucracy and its ambitions to be a regional business hub.