Section

Business

Markets, industries, and the forces reshaping the region's economy.

Page 2

Business

The UK-GCC Trade Deal Is Moving From Headline to Business Checklist

The concluded UK-GCC free-trade agreement could reshape services, procurement and investment, but companies should focus on implementation details rather than celebratory totals.

Aug 3, 2026/2 min read

Business

The Dollar's Next Move Depends on Which Inflation Shock Lasts Longer

The Fed and ECB are both cautious, but their economies absorb the energy shock differently. Jobs, inflation and credit conditions will decide whether the policy gap widens.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

US dollar banknotes on a desk beside a printed chart

Business

Europe's Housing Credit Slowdown Has Not Reached the Bottom Yet

Euro-area mortgage demand fell sharply in the second quarter, and banks expect another decline. Energy performance is increasingly separating easier and harder financing.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

European homebuyers discussing mortgage terms beside apartment buildings

Business

AI-Hardware Exporters Are Living in a Different 2026 Economy

The IMF and UNCTAD describe a widening split: economies tied to chips and AI infrastructure are gaining momentum while many energy importers absorb the war shock.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

Advanced chips moving from an Asian manufacturing hub into global trade

Business

The UAE's Outlook Depends on Turning Non-Oil Resilience Into Durable Growth

The UAE enters the next period with diversified trade, services and investment buffers. Energy and shipping volatility still make credit quality and project selection important.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

A UAE skyline connected to modern port and logistics infrastructure

Business

Saudi Arabia's Recovery Case Now Runs Through Logistics as Much as Oil

The IMF sees Saudi growth recovering as maritime flows normalize. Diversified export routes, domestic demand and Vision 2030 investment are central to the resilience case.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

Modern Saudi logistics infrastructure connecting a port, rail line and city

Business

Fertilizer's Sharp Price Drop Could Become Food Relief, but Not Overnight

World Bank data show fertilizer prices fell 21.8% in June. Farmers and shoppers may benefit later, though contracts, planting cycles and energy costs slow the transmission.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

A farmer inspecting crops beside fertilizer and grain supplies

Business

This Week's Commodity Data Will Show Whether June's Relief Lasted

The World Bank's June index showed steep declines in energy, fertilizer and precious metals. Its August 4 update will reveal whether that was a turning point or a pause.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

Industrial metals, grain and energy commodities arranged beside market data

Business

The Chip Market's August Update Will Test a $1.5 Trillion Forecast

WSTS is due to publish its second-quarter forecast update on August 3 after raising the 2026 semiconductor outlook. AI demand is strong, but concentration is the central risk.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

Engineers inspecting semiconductor wafers inside a modern fabrication facility

Business

World Trade Is Breaking Records, but Prices Are Doing Too Much of the Work

Goods and services trade added about $2 trillion in the first half of 2026. Much of the rise reflects higher prices, leaving a more uneven volume story underneath.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

Container ships and cranes operating at a major international port

Business

LNG Volatility Is Turning Flexible Power Into a Competitive Advantage

The temporary loss of major Gulf LNG volumes sent gas prices sharply higher. Power systems able to switch fuels, store energy and shift demand handled the shock better.

Aug 2, 2026/2 min read

An LNG carrier beside a modern gas and electricity terminal