This report is designed to give you a snapshot about the MENA region tackling multiple issues:
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/USD
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/EUR
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EGP
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17.64
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21.04
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AED
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3.67
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4.37
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QAR
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3.71
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4.41
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SAR
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3.75
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4.46
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BHD
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0.38
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0.44
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OMR
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0.39
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0.45
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 Economic Outlook
- According to Moody's the growth in the Egyptian economy has begun to pick up following a series of market reforms, but it remains below pre-revolution levels. It is worthy to mention that the government has managed to cut its primary budget deficit to 1.8% of GDP during 2017 fiscal year (which ended in 30 June).
- Egyptian banks have provided 55.1 BN USD to fund trade since the country floated its currency in November 2016. The banks were able to extend up to 40 BN USD in documents for collections (IDCs) and letters of credit, and open new letters of credit for up to 15.1 BN USD.
- Egypt expects GDP growth between 5 and 5.25% in the current fiscal year ending in June 2018.
- The Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan is planning to allow the recruitment of new foreign workers in the agricultural sector aiming to increase the number of guest workers as more lands are expected to be cultivated.
- The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lebanon Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to enhance information sharing and cooperation around supervisory issues, this should further enhance the existing relationship between the two markets.
- Two Qatari companies Qatargas and RasGas will be supplying Turkey and Bangladesh with liquefied natural gas (LNG) respectively based on new agreements. Qatargas will deliver 1.5 million tons of LNG each year for three years to Turkey, while RasGas will supply Bangladesh with 1.8 million tons a year of LNG for the first five years.
- Qatar has pumped 29.1 BN QAR (8 BN USD) into its banking system in August 2017 to cushion it from withdrawals by financial institutions from neighboring Arab states due to the Gulf diplomatic crisis.
- Saudi Arabia is considering raising domestic prices for gasoline and jet fuel by around 80% starting November. Octane-91 grade gas price will increase from 75 halalas per liter to 1.35 SAR per liter, while the price of octane-95 grade gas will increase by 72 halalas reaching 1.62 per liter.
- The security spokesman of the Ministry of the Interior has announced the crime indicators in Saudi Arabia in 2016 and the total number of crimes attended by Saudi police during the same year reached 149,781. The overall crime rate in the Kingdom has decreased by 4.5% compared to figures from 2015.
- The Economic Development Department in Abu Dhabi has ordered all commercial facilities operating in the emirate not to collect any additional fees on credit card transactions. The department will be posing fines of up to 8000 AED for the incompliant establishments
- Domestic and international grants provided by the UAE have increased by 73.8% reaching 27.7 BN AED (7.54 BN USD) during H1-2017, compared to a total of 15.9 BN AED (4.33 BN USD) in 2016. It is worthy to mention that the grants have accounted for 10% of total government spending during that period.
- The non-oil sector of UAE economy is expected to grow by 3.1% this year, accelerating to 3.5% next year.
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 Political Events
- Earthquakes keep shaking Southern Mexico, whereas a 6.1 magnitude earthquake Saturday morning was centered in Oaxaca state near Matias Romero, a town about 275 miles southeast of Mexico City. The earthquake has killed more than 155 people in Mexico City and toppled dozens of buildings.
- Among recurring incidents consequent to the lack of strict gun control in Lebanon, a woman in south Lebanon was killed after her four-year-old son accidentally shot her with a hunting rifle. The incident followed another accidental death in which an 11-year-old boy shot his 8-year-old relative last week in another town in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials have been calling for restraint of gun use to prevent regular accidents of stray bullets shot during celebrations and political events.
- Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani renewed a call for "unconditional dialogue" last Tuesday to end a crisis pitting Qatar against four Arab states while U.S. President Donald Trump said he expected the dispute to be resolved quickly.
- The UAE and the Republic of Chad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exemption of UAE nationals holding diplomatic, private, official, mission and regular passports, and Chadian citizens having diplomatic passports, from pre-visa entry requirement.
- UAE Embassy in Washington has announced that the UAE government has pledged 10 MM USD to help with recovery efforts that happened from the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma.
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 Stock Market
- .KWSE banking sector has declined led by Ahli United Bank (AUB) and real estate sector led by Al Massaleh.
- .QSI real estate sector has declined led by Mazaya Qatar and Barwa Real Estate. In addition, banking sector declined led by Qatar Islamic Bank.
- .ADI telecommunication sector has declined led by Etisalat.
- .DFMGI investment sector has slightly increased led by Dubai Investments.
Note: Weekly values are calculated on Thursday of each week.
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Cairo Office:
Z
epter Office Building
S5-6,
Area 5, District 1, 5th Settlement,
New Cairo, Egypt.
P.O. Box:
1147
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Dubai Office:
Office No. N 415, North Tower, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC, P.O Box 506726, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +97143518187
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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