Modest Growth Forecast for Economies in the Middle East and North Africa Amid Rising Uncertainty

October 16, 2024--While GDP is subdued in 2024, accelerating reforms would spur inclusive growth
Growth continues to be subdued in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) because of uncertainties heightened by the conflict in the region, says the World Bank in its latest semi-annual MENA Economic Update, entitled Growth in the Middle East and North Africa.

The report forecasts the region's overall gross domestic product (GDP) growth to rise modestly to 2.2 percent in 2024 in real terms, up from 1.8 percent in 2023. This uptick is driven by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where growth is projected to rise from 0.5 percent in 2023 to 1.9 percent in 2024. In the rest of MENA, growth is expected to decelerate. Oil importers' growth is forecast to slow from 3.2 percent in 2023 to 2.1 percent in 2024, and that of non-GCC oil exporters to decline from 3.2 percent to 2.7 percent.

Lunate Launches Boreas Solactive Quantum Computing UCITS ETF, the First Thematic ETF to List on ADX, Tracking the Solactive Developed Quantum Computing Index

September 1, 2025--Solactive is pleased to announce its first collaboration with Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based global investment management firm, with the launch of the Boreas Solactive Quantum Computing UCITS ETF, which tracks the Solactive Developed Quantum Computing Index. The ETF will become the first thematic ETF to list on ADX (Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange), marking a significant milestone in the expansion of local investment offerings.

Mideast Stocks: Gulf bourses trade lower ahead of key Fed speech

August 20, 2025--The Qatari benchmark index slipped 0.6%
Most Gulf equities were down in early trade on Wednesday as investors braced for what U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell will say about the path of interest rates at a key conference later in the week.