Business

IMF: Any Slowdown in AI-driven Growth Would be Factor for Central Banks

Business IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the Annual Meetings Plenary at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 16, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

IMF: Any Slowdown in AI-driven Growth Would be Factor for Central Banks

Central bankers around the world would need to consider any slowdown in AI-driven growth as they assess steps in their fight against inflation, International…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

World food prices edged lower in October as weaker import demand contributed to monthly declines in cereal, dairy and meat prices, but were still nearly 6%…

Business Copper at the Aurubis copper smelting and refining plant in Hamburg, Germany. (Reuters)

Copper Falls, Set for Worst Week Since March on AI Rout

Copper dropped on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop in London since March, as a rout in technology stocks battered markets. Benchmark three…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Workers walk at Kalyon Karapinar solar power plant in Karapinar, Konya province, Türkiye, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP)

Emerging Economies Set to Match Advanced Nations’ Renewable Capacity Additions, IEA Says

Emerging ‌and developing economies outside China are expected to add as much new renewable energy capacity as advanced economies for the first time over…

Business Gold bracelets displayed in a shop window on Green Street, east London, UK, April 30, 2024. (AFP)

Gold Drops Over 1% on Higher Oil Prices; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold prices slipped on Friday as oil prices rebounded, fanning inflation worries and higher-for-longer interest rate expectations, while investors awaited key…


Business Riyadh Air, the new national air carrier wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, participated in the Dubai Airshow 2023. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh Air Presents Features of its Future at Dubai Air Show

Riyadh Air, the new national air carrier wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, participated in the Dubai Airshow 2023 last week, revealing two categories…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president after their meeting in Tehran on November 6, 2023. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

Iraq Seeking Optimal Investments in Oil, Gas

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Sunday the importance of utilizing crude oil prices in the global market in increasing financial…

Asharq Al Awsat (Baghdad)
Business Egypt Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly meets with Saudi Commerce Minister Majed Al-Qasabi and his accompanying delegation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Al-Qasabi: Over 70% of Saudi Investor Problems in Egypt Have Been Resolved

Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid al-Qasabi said more than 70 percent of the problems facing Saudi investors in Egypt have been solved. Egypt’s Prime…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)
Business Gas pipelines are seen in the Kingdom. Photo: Aramco website

Saudi Arabia Announces Discoveries of Natural Gas in Eastern Province, Empty Quarter

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that Saudi Aramco has discovered two natural gas fields in the Empty Quarter: Al…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi

GCC Says it Plays Major Role in Ensuring Energy Security

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stated that GCC states are key players in ensuring energy security. In a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Egypt’s central bank in Cairo (Reuters)

Egypt: Proposal to Amend Strategy for Dealing with Debt

A member of the Egyptian parliament’s economic committee revealed a proposal to reduce monetary pressure, by addressing the debt problem, in light of the…

Sabry Nageh (Cairo)
Business Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before the start of the APEC Leaders Retreat on the last day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week at Moscone Center on November 17, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

IMF Chief Says Biden-Xi Engagement an Important Signal for World to Cooperate

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday this week's meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi…

Business US President Joe Biden, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong and Philippines' President Bongbong Marcos take part in a family photo during an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework event at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, US, November 16, 2023. (Reuters)

APEC Leaders Divided on Ukraine, Gaza Wars, Back WTO Reform

Pacific Rim leaders showed divisions over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza after a two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on Friday,…

Business Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser signed the agreement with Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senior Minister Coordinating the Productive Sector, Kerrie Symmonds.

Saudi Arabia, Barbados Sign Agreement on Air Transportation Services

The governments of Saudi Arabia and Barbados have signed an air transportation agreement aiming to set regulatory frameworks for safe air travel, SPA reported…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business An Egyptian family on a motorcycle in Cairo (epa)

Egypt Signs MoU to Study Exporting 2GW Renewable Energy to Europe

The Egyptian government announced on Thursday that the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Belgian…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)
Business Public Investment Fund (PIF) (SPA)

Fitch: Saudi Arabia’s PIF at A+ with Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings affirmed Public Investment Fund (PIF) at 'A+' with Stable Outlook, reflecting its unchanged assessment of 'Very Strong' status, ownership and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Saudi-CARICOM agreements are worth more than $370 million.

Saudi Minister: Investments in the Caribbean is a Priority

Presidents and ministers from Saudi Arabia and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) revealed that the deep and comprehensive cooperation between the two sides…

Fatehelrahman Yousif (Riyadh)
Business FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are pictured at the plant of gold and silver refiner and bar manufacturer Argor-Heraeus in Mendrisio, Switzerland, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse//File Photo

Gold Heads for First Weekly Gain in Three on Fed Pause Hopes

Gold prices extended gains on Friday and were set for their first weekly rise in three, as investors stepped up bets that the US Federal Reserve is done…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business The IMF said Oman’s economic growth is set to rebound in 2024. Getty

IMF Expects Oman GDP Growth to be 1.3%

After a visit to Oman, the International Monetary Fund forecast its GDP growth would be 1.3% this year, from 4.3% in 2022. The IMF said Oman’s economic…

Asharq Al Awsat (Muscat)
Business The company plans to triple the number of its mechanics and technicians over the next three years, in addition to expanding into new international markets. (Saudi Technic website)

Saudia Technic CEO: We Aim for IPO before End of 2030

The CEO of Saudia Technic, Fahd Cynndy, said that the company aims to offer public shares before the end of 2030. Speaking on the sidelines of the Dubai…

Asharq Al Awsat (Dubai )
Business A supermarket in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Registers in October Lowest Inflation Level in Two Years

Saudi Arabia was able to record the lowest level of inflation rate in nearly two years at 1.6 percent in October, on an annual basis - the same rate registered…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business A part of the Fashion Authority's participation in the “100 Saudi Brands” exhibition

Fashion Boosts Non-Oil GDP in Saudi Arabia

Aligning with efforts undertaken by the Saudi government to diversify its economy away from oil, the fashion sector has carved out its role as a key player in…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business The new logistics park offers solutions and integrated environmental services and systems. SPA

Mawani, CMA CGM Lay Foundation for Logistics Park at Jeddah Islamic Port

The Saudi Ports Authority 'Mawani' and CMA CGM have launched a new logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port, with a total area exceeding 130,000 square meters and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. (SPA)

NEOM Announces ‘Epicon’ Luxury Coastal Tourism Destination on Gulf of Aqaba

The Board of Directors of NEOM, the sustainable regional development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, announced on Wednesday Epicon, its latest luxury…

Business Honeywell has selected Saudia Technic to be the first sole authorized Honeywell service center in the Middle East. (SPA)

Honeywell Selects Saudia Technic to Support Boeing 777 Aircraft in Middle East

Honeywell has selected Saudia Technic, a full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organization, to be the first sole authorized Honeywell service…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Saudia and Riyadh Air announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding as part of a comprehensive agreement. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudia, Riyadh Air Sign Strategic Memorandum of Cooperation

Saudia and Riyadh Air announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding as part of a comprehensive agreement that includes operating flights using the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Dubai)
Business A Saudi Arabian Airlines A320 aircraft (SPA)

Saudi Carriers Increase Fleet of Narrow-body Aircraft to Expand Regional Flights

Saudi air carriers are moving to increase their fleet of narrow-body aircraft to expand short-distance regional flights, due to high demand. This move comes…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani directs the directors of government banks to submit a plan within one month to enhance their operations (Iraqi National News Agency)

Iraqi Government Intensifies Efforts to Reform Banking Sector, Address Exchange Rates

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has instructed the directors of government banks to present a development plan within one month. In…

Fadhel al-Nashmi (Baghdad)
Business FILE PHOTO: A worker walks at a Tullow Oil explorational drilling site in Lokichar, Turkana County, Kenya, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo

Oil Gains on China Economic Data, Strong Demand Forecast

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as China's factory output and retail sales beat expectations, a day after the International Energy Agency (IEA) raised its oil…

Asharq Al Awsat