This report is designed to give you a snapshot about the MENA region tackling multiple issues:
56.71 USD 1,156 USD
/USD
/EUR
EGP
18.25
19.28
AED
3.67
3.88
QAR
3.64
3.84
SAR
3.75
3.96
BHD
0.38
0.39
OMR
0.39
0.40
Economic Outlook
A 3% salary increase is granted to Oman's employees starting 2017 compared to a 4% rise last year. Among other Gulf countries, the UAE is set to see the slowest real wage growth of 0.5%, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait at 0.8% each.
Islamic bonds will be launched by Morocco in H1-2017. It is worth mentioning that the issuance is the first of its kind and will be launched in the country's domestic market.
Tunisia will need 3.7 BN USD in foreign loans in 2017 according to finance minister as the country needs to bridge its budget deficit which is expected to be 5.4% of its gross domestic product in the coming year.
Foreign investments flow in Tunisia has declined by 10.1% in the first 10 months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. However, the end of year outlook is promising following the organization of the international investment conference "Tunisia 2020".
Egypt's Urban consumer inflation witnessed a 19.4% surge in November 2016 compared to 13.6% in October 2016 after the country's application of a floating exchange rate system.
China and Egypt concluded a 2.62 BN USD three-year bilateral currency swap, a move that importers and economists said would facilitate trade and improve foreign currency liquidity in Egypt.
Saudi Arabia guaranteed 139 BN USD in humanitarian assistance to 95 countries during the past 40 years.
13 BN USD will be invested in Qatar's infrastructure projects in 2017 amounting to 46 BN QAR as part of a strategy to achieve sustainable development and economic diversification.
Qatar's economic growth will peak to 3.4% in 2017 amid the country's plans to strengthen and diversify the economy especially in the services sector. It is worthy to note that the hydrocarbon sector is expected to grow by 0.8%
2.8 BN USD were pledged to Jordan in foreign, regular, additional and humanitarian aid in 2016 according to the Kingdom's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.
Germany pledges 10 MM USD in aid to Lebanon to help the country cope with the influx of refugees after meeting with the Lebanese President.
A bomb explosion took place in the Coptic Christian cathedral complex in the Egyptian capital Cairo which has killed at least 25 people following a bomb explosion at a police check point which killed six policemen on a main road leading to the pyramids at Giza.
An evacuation of patients in Aleppo's old city hospital took place to be the first major evacuation from the eastern sector. It is worthy to note that the hospital had nearly 150 patients in need of medical care.
An earthquake hit Indonesia at a magnitude of 6.5 killing 93 of Indonesia's Aceh province's citizens according to the provincial government.
A ship sinks carrying more than 60 passengers including women and children, while sailing to Socotra island in the Indian Ocean from Hadramout province in mainland Yemen.
Tunisian Lawyers demonstrated in front of the country's prime minister office over increasing taxes.
.TASI's Banking sector fell as Al-Rajhi and Al-Ahli decreased. On the other hand, the telecommunications sector climbed as Zain and Mobily rose.
.KWSE's real estate sector increased led by Munshaat Real Estate Projects. In addition, the industrial sector grew backed by Maadan. Moreover, the financial sector edged after Amwal advanced.
.QSI's telecommunication sector rose led by Ooredoo. In addition, the industrial sector grew 0.63% as Industries Qatar advanced.
Index Watch list
Weekly % Change
YTD% Change
Egypt
.EGX30
-0.9%
62.0%
Construction & Materials
0.5%
-9.6%
Telecommunication
-1.9%
101.7%
Banking
-0.5%
64.0%
KSA
.TASI
-0.8%
3.1%
Petrochemicals
3.1%
25.4%
Banks & Financial Services
-0.5%
-0.2%
Telecommunication & Information
0.4%
-0.8%
Kuwait
.KWSE
0.6%
-0.5%
Banking
1.1%
-8.7%
Telecommunication
0.3%
4.5%
Financial Services
1.4%
-2.5%
Real Estate
3.2%
-9.4%
Industrials
0.9%
21.7%
Qatar
.QSI
2.00%
-4.2%
Banking & Financial Services
1.6%
-1.7%
Industrials
2.30%
-2.1%
Real Estate
3.6%
-4.8%
Telecommunication
3.1%
15.7%
UAE, Abu Dhabi
.ADI
2.90%
2.9%
Banking
6.03%
-1.7%
Telecommunication
-2.9%
12.4%
Real Estate
6.2%
21.3%
UAE, Dubai
.DFMGI
4.0%
10.9%
Banking
3.94%
1.8%
Real Estate & Construction
5.7%
16.3%
Investments & Financial Services
3.2%
16.7%
Telecommunication
7.0%
17.6%
Note: Weekly values are calculated on Thursday of each week.
Emirates airlines will launch premium economy tickets within the next 12-18 months as the airline started to create new revenue streams as it was hit by a strong dollar and a tougher competition.
1.25 BN USD sukuk were listed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) on Nasdaq Dubai. The listing is the seventh by IDB making it the largest Sukuk issuer on Nasdaq Dubai at 8.55 BN USD.
Middle East airlines will require 200,000 personnel to support the growing demand for new aircraft deliveries over the next two decades.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Total SA signed an initial agreement with Iran to develop oil and gas fields which is considered the first European petroleum deal in the Persian Gulf country post sanctions.
Egypt's contracting company, Mokhtar Ibrahim will start 2 residential projects. The project is expected to cost 55.7 MM USD and will be launched in Obour and El Nozha districts in 2017.
Ezdan Holding,Qatar's private real estate developer, has secured a 460 MM USD Islamic syndicated facility.
A 100 MM USD investments will be pumped by the UAE-based Mawarid Technology after its chairman's visit to Cairo ICT 2016.
Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation signed a loan agreement
with the African Export-Import Bank worth 200 MM USD to help expand electricity generation and distribution.
Commercial International Bank (CIB) sells 72% stake of its investment banking arm CI Capital to local and gulf investors. The deal is worth around 1 BN EGP according to banking sources.
Liverpool fell behind in the Premier League title race after being held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham.
Sharjah's child safety campaign's second phase has reached 31,486 people including 12,674 students. The campaign organized 291 awareness programs in schools and institutions in Sharjah and the central and eastern regions.
Social Media platforms will step up efforts to remove extremist content from their websites by creating a common database. These platforms include: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft.
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