Middle East ETP News
you are currently viewing::Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Enhancing Resilience to Global Shocks: Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC CountriesDecember 6, 2025-Despite the challenging external environment, the GCC economies have been resilient. Non-hydrocarbon activity has remained robust amid strong domestic demand supported by the reform momentum, limited spillovers from regional, as well as the modest direct impact of higher U.S. tariffs given the exemption of energy products and limited trade ties with the U.S. While external balances narrowed amid oil production cuts and robust imports, the external positions remain overall strong. The economic outlook remains favorable but risks are tilted to the downside amidst elevated global uncertainty. Economic activity will be supported by the unwinding of oil production cuts, the expansion of natural gas production, and strong reform and project implementation facilitated by ample policy buffers. External buffers would remain comfortable despite narrower current account balances driven by higher imports. The near-term risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, as oil prices could decline and financial conditions tighten amid high uncertainty. Over the medium term, ongoing global structural shifts pose two-sided risks for the GCC economies. Source: imf.org |
IMF Staff Completes the 2026 Article IV Mission to Singapore
May 18, 2026--Singapore is navigating elevated global uncertainty from a position of strength. The country faces upside inflation risks and downside growth risks stemming from a possible escalation of the war in the Middle East.
ADX hosts initial offering period for US-based ETF
April 30, 2026-The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group has hosted the initial offering period (IOP) for a US-based ETF, followed by the cross-listing of the KraneShares Wahed Alternative Income Index ETF (KWIN).
UAE leaves OPEC in blow to oil cartel during war on Iran
April 28, 2026- Announcement of its exit on Friday comes as Gulf producers are already struggling to ship exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to quit OPEC and OPEC+ to focus on "national interests", dealing a heavy blow to the oil-exporting groups at a time when the US-Israel war on Iran has caused a historic energy shock and rattled the global economy.
.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf equities nudge higher despite stalled diplomacy in Iran
April 26, 2026-The war has deepened instability in the Middle East
Most stock markets eked out small gains on Sunday despite hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran fading, with stalled talks underscoring the hardening positions of both Tehran and Washington.
The Gulf's growth model faces its first true stress test
April 7, 2026-GDP in Saudi Arabia and the UAE could fall by 3% and 5% respectively
The US-Israel war with Iran has now stretched beyond five weeks, inflicting extensive damage on energy infrastructure, airports, ports and commercial and technology hubs across the six GCC states.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf equities retreat on fears of prolonged Middle East conflict
April 2, 2026-Dubai's main share index dropped 1.4%
Major Gulf stock markets fell in early trading on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would continue its attacks on Iran, without specifying when the war would end.
Mideast Stocks: Dubai leads Gulf stocks higher on hopes of de-escalation of Iran war
April 1, 2026-Dubai's main share index advanced 2.1%
Major Gulf stock markets rose in early Wednesday trading on hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, with Dubai leading gains as its 1 billion dirham ($272.3 million) support package took effect.
