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    Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

    Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

    Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

    Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

    Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

    Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

    Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

    Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

    Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

    Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

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      Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

      Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

      Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

      Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

      Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

      Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

      Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

      Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

      Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

      Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

      Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

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      Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

      Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

      Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

      Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

      Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

      Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

      Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

      Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

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        NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

        NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

        Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

        Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

        Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

        Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

        UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

        UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

        Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

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          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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        • Agrofood
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          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food
          Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

          Saudi Arabia’s agricultural GDP grew 38% to $26.6bn in 2022

          Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

          Arab states imported 1.73 million agricultural commodities from Egypt

          Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

          Wheat yield boom boosts Oman’s food security

          Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

          Saudi Arabia seeks $20 bln investment in food industry, aims to double exports

          Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

          Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for food production advancement supported by ICRISAT-FAO partnership

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Industry
            • Technology
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics
            Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

            Saudi: 53 new industrial licenses issued in April 2023

            Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

            Qatar’s non-oil sector maintains growth as PMI hits 53.8 in June

            Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

            Saudi transport authority approves 15 licensing, technical guides for railways

            Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

            Number of industrial decisions up by 10.56% to 356 in 2021

            Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

            Egypt’s macroeconomic conditions improving, says minister

            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Number of BIA passengers up by 26.90% annually YTD APRIL 2023

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

            Oman’s health ministry expected to award construction contract for two health centres in Q3

            Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

            Properties sold in May 2023 jump 114.6%, says Qatar’s PSA

            Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

            Oman releases more Sultan Haitham City details

            Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

            Construction activity in Saudi Arabia reaches highest level in years: Survey

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

              NEOM’s green hydrogen project is formally under execution: ACWA Power

              Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

              Ministry of Petroleum announces $9B investment towards oil refining and petrochemical projects

              Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

              Oman’s huge renewable hydrogen potential can bring multiple benefits in its journey to net zero emissions

              UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

              UN-HABITAT partners with LCEC, expanding efforts to provide responsible renewable energy solutions in Lebanon

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

              Total-led consortium to start drilling offshore Lebanon in September

              Trending Tags

              • Hospitality
                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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              Lebanon defies odds to keep its finances afloat

              Financial Times

              June 20, 2017
              in Uncategorized
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              Lebanon’s government is laboring under a debt pile equivalent to 147 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, rendering it the third most indebted public sector in the world, after Japan and Greece. The IMF estimates this will climb to 165 per cent by 2022, overtaking the economic basket case that is the Hellenic Republic in the debt stakes. Servicing this debt now soaks up half of government revenues, up from 38.5 per cent in 2014. A current account deficit of 15.9 per cent of GDP, among the highest in the world, means the Middle Eastern country is dangerously dependent on attracting capital inflows to pay its way in the world.
              Lebanon’s weak economic growth, just 1 per cent in 2016, according to the IMF’s estimates, hardly seems an obvious draw for this much-needed foreign money. Moreover, the country is located in one of the world’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
              Yet Lebanon has never defaulted on its debt in its history and its foreign currency-denominated debt trades at a blended yield of 6.22 per cent, little more than the Middle Eastern average of 5.84 per cent, suggesting few are worried about repayment.
              “Lebanon emerges as a prime suspect for facing a debt crisis based on its weak solvency metrics. Standard debt-sustainability models, derived rules of thumb and other countries’ experience suggest that these are early signs of a debt crisis,” says Carla Slim, Middle East and North Africa economist at Standard Chartered, who is herself Lebanese.
              “To add to the concerns, both short and medium-term fiscal planning is non-existent given the lack of a medium-term plan to ensure debt sustainability and parliament’s failure to endorse a budget since 2005.”
              Gabriel Sterne, head of global macro research at Oxford Economics, a consultancy, adds: “If you look at spreads versus any debt measure, Lebanon is too tight. You are not getting paid enough.”
              Yet fears of an impending debt crisis are nothing new for Lebanon, with the country of 6.2m long having successfully juggled seemingly implausible debt metrics. Indeed, its debt/GDP ratio was once markedly higher still, reaching a peak of 185 per cent in 2006.
              “When I was at the IMF from 2004-06 working on crisis resolution, the one country that the IMF staff really wanted to work on then was Lebanon,” says Mr Sterne.
              “It was the crisis that was going to happen. It had huge debt, really difficult politics and there were concerns that the central bank might be going bust,” because of circular lending, with “the central bank, government and commercial banks all lending to each other”.
              “But a colleague came back and said there is never going to be a crisis. The banks will carry on lending to the government because if one goes down they all go down.”
              Ms Slim adds that “Lebanon’s debt has long been dubbed unsustainable”. The key question is whether this is about to change.
              Lebanon’s finances have long been propped up by its large and reasonably successful diaspora, estimated by StanChart to number anywhere between 5m and 16m, who happily remit money back to Lebanese banks.
              These inflows are supported by the pegging of the Lebanese pound to the US dollar, deposit rates of around 3.5 per cent for dollars and 5 per cent-plus for pounds, the prospect of an eventual return to Lebanon, particularly for those living in Gulf states where naturalization is not possible, and the fact that “the banking system in general in Lebanon has a fairly good reputation”, in the words of Ms Slim.
              “They have such a loyal diaspora of wealthy people around the region who keep their money in the banks,” says Mr Sterne. “During the global financial crisis banks were going bust elsewhere, and we also had a war in Lebanon [in 2006], but Lebanon sailed through all of that. It’s a fascinating case.”
              These inflows not only cover the current account deficit but also provide the funds for the commercial banks to buy government debt, keeping the system afloat.
              This “virtuous cycle” wobbled last year, however. Growth in non-resident deposits fell to a decade low of less than 3 per cent in the second quarter of 2016, from 10 per cent-plus in the same period a year earlier, says Ms Slim, leading to a 10 per cent fall in foreign exchange reserves to $35bn as assets were sold to cover the current account deficit.
              Ms Slim attributes this slump to lower oil prices, which may have hit the fortunes of many Lebanese working in the Gulf and African oil exporters, as well as “low confidence” in Lebanon itself due to “overall policy paralysis”, weak growth, the hosting of the Syrian refugees and a 29-month presidential vacuum, which finally ended in October 2016.
              The Banque du Liban, the central bank, reacted by issuing about $12bn of dollar-denominated eurobonds that it sold to the commercial banks, replenishing its FX reserves.
              This drained commercial banks’ foreign currency liquidity, which they plugged either by sourcing funds from their correspondent banks abroad or by upping their deposit rates to attract more foreign deposits. “Some tried to attract existing private bank clients with money in Switzerland or elsewhere by offering them high deposit rates,” says Ms Slim. This seems to have worked. As of April, the most recent month for which figures are available, deposit growth is back to 7 per cent, year on year.
              Given the appointment of President Michel Aoun in October and a national unity government two months later, Ms Slim believes it is unlikely the country will face another political impasse that saps depositors’ confidence, in the near-term at least, even if parliament remains suspended. Even if that was to happen, she is confident another eurobond issue would work, even if the obvious alternative, a rise in interest rates, remains difficult given the already weak economy.
              Nevertheless, given the possibility of an extended period of depressed oil prices and below-trend growth in the Middle East, deposit flows may remain weak by historical standards.
              Longer term, Ms Slim believes the only solution to Lebanon’s financial problems is medium-term planning and budgeting to bring the government’s finances under control.
              Mr Sterne believes that as long as Lebanon can generate economic growth of, say, 4 per cent it is “probably going to be all right” as its debt/GDP ratio will probably remain stable or even fall. This could be touch and go, though, with growth currently “pitiful” and the IMF forecasting an expansion of just 2 per cent this year and longer-term growth of 3 per cent.
              Nevertheless, Mr Sterne warns: “People who call a crisis in Lebanon have been wrong until now but one day something might come along and knock it over. We are still only one shock away from something nasty happening. It’s the sovereign crisis that is inevitable.”
              Ms Slim adds: “If one piece of the system goes, the whole system goes. If they lose these deposits then everything falls apart.”
              Financial Times

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