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 One of the historical sites near AlUla, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Saudi Tourism Awaits Results of Legislative Environment Enhancements

The tourism sector in Saudi Arabia looks forward to reaping the benefits of the newly established legislative framework for the sector. Princess Haifa…

Omar al-Badwi (Riyadh)
Business Hawk T1A trainer aircraft of the Saudi Falcons aerobatic team perform during an air show marking Saudi Arabia's 93rd National Day celebrations in Riyadh on September 23, 2023. (AFP)

Saudi GAMI Announces 10 Investment Opportunities in Defense Sector

The Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) announced on Monday ten investment opportunities with joint military and civilian uses as a first…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Launches 'Ardara' with Development of AlWadi in Abha as Flagship Project

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced on Monday the launch of …

Business The seventh edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) will be held in Riyadh from October 24 to 26.

Riyadh Conference to Unite Global Leaders to Tackle Humanity's Greatest Challenges

The seventh edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), slated to take place in Riyadh from October 24 to 26, will brig together an exceptional…

Business The Saudi Law Conference is being held in Riyadh from October 15 to 17 under the theme “Legal Environment for Sustainable Business”. (SPA)

Justice Minister Highlights Legislative Framework for Sustainable Business at Saudi Law Conference

Saudi Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani highlighted the Kingdom’s legislative development at the Saudi Law Conference that is being held in Riyadh from October…

Business Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Phot

Gold Eases, but Israel-Hamas War Keeps Prices above $1,900

Gold prices fell on Monday due to technical selling after a strong rally in the previous session, although concerns over potential escalation of conflict in…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business The city of Dubai witnessed a growth of 3.2% during the first half of this year. (Reuters)

Dubai’s Economy Grows 3.2% in H1 2023

With a growth of 3.2% in H1 2023, compared to the same period last year, Dubai's economy's total value has reached AED 223.8 billion ($61 billion). The…

Asharq Al Awsat (Dubai )
Business Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah in Marrakech. (Afreximbank website)

Morocco Signs $1 Bln MoU with Afreximbank

Morocco and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) signed Saturday in Marrakech a billion-dollar Memorandum of Understanding to consolidate and promote…

Asharq Al Awsat (Marrakech)
Business Iraq has activated three energy contracts with UAE firm Crescent Petroleum to develop three oil and gas fields in Iraq. (Getty Images)

Iraq, UAE's Crescent Activate Energy Deals to Develop Three Oil and Gas Fields

Iraq has launched three energy contracts with UAE-based Crescent Petroleum to develop three oil and gas fields in Iraq, the oil ministry said on Sunday. …

Business An aerial view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)

Saudi Real Estate Market Deals Confirm Solidity despite Surrounding Factors

The Saudi real estate market recorded deals worth more than 214 billion riyals ($57 billion) during the first nine months of this year, according to real…

Mohammed al-Mutairi (Riyadh)
Business Egyptian Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait participates in a session entitled, “Building Social Protection in the Middle East and North Africa”, at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Marrakesh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt Calls for More Financial Support to Maintain Social Protection

The Egyptian government is seeking to obtain new financial support to maintain social protection and improve the standard of living, especially for the most…

Hala Saghbini (Marrakesh)
Business [From left to right] Deputy Director of the IMF Gita Gopinath, IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Acting Spanish Minister of Economy, Nadia Calvino, in a session at the Fund’s meetings in Marrakesh, October 14, 2023. (AP)

Marrakesh Meetings: Raising Funds to Curb Poverty, Allocating New Seat for Africa

Two positive points can be taken from the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Marrakesh: The first is the success in raising…

Hala Saghbini (Marrakesh )
Business Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

GCC States Record 7.3% GDP Growth in 2022

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasized that despite economic disruptions, policymakers in GCC…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Delegates walk through the Museum of the Future in Dubai during the Artificial Intelligence Forum held on October 11, 2023. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

UAE, South Korea Complete Talks for Bilateral Trade Deal

The United Arab Emirates and South Korea have concluded talks towards a bilateral trade deal, known as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA),…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A Palestinian youth clashes with Israeli security forces at the Huwwara checkpoint at the southern entrance of Nablus (AFP)

World Bank Says Not Suspending Projects in Gaza

The World Bank is not currently considering suspending its projects in Gaza, and it is monitoring the development of the situation, which it hopes will end…

Hala Saghbini (Marrakesh)
Business A session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh (Reuters)

World Bank Official: Saudi Arabia Takes Economic Diversification Agenda Seriously

The World Bank expects a sharp decline in the growth of the economies of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa region this year, reaching 1.9…

Hala Saghbini (Marrakesh)
Business Israeli navy ships patrol off the Israeli coast of Rosh HaNikra near the Israeli-Lebanon in northern Israel on October 12, 2023. (AFP)

Report: No Gas Finds after Drilling at Lebanon’s Offshore Block 9

No hydrocarbon finds were made after exploratory drilling operations at Lebanon's offshore Block 9, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told…

Business Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Azour: Efforts to Diversify Incomes in Saudi Arabia Boosted Revenues, Supported the Economy

Amid major global changes, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest reports, reduced growth expectations for the current year in a number of…

Hala Saghbini (Marrakech)
Business Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, addresses the media on the fourth day of the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank, following last month's deadly earthquake, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera Acquire Licensing Rights

IMF Chief Says Hamas-Israel Conflict Is ‘Darkening the Horizon’ for World Economy

International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday the Israel-Hamas conflict threatened to darken an already murky global…

Asharq Al Awsat (Marrakech)
Business Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman addresses the opening of Climate Week in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Climate Week in Riyadh Introduces Solutions, Ideas for COP28

The Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 concluded on Thursday in Riyadh, with successful discussions and ideas that pave the way for solutions for…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Dr. Abdullah Al-Dardari attends a dialogue session during the Climate Week in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Climate Week Sees Affirmation of Arab Region’s Ability to Lead the Field of Renewable Energy

The Regional Director of the United Nations Development Program, Dr. Abdullah Al-Dardari, said that the potential possessed by the Arab region qualifies it to…

Mohammed Helal (Riyadh)
Business Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman addresses the opening session of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week in Riyadh, on October 8, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Proactive Measures’ in Oil Market

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has said it was necessary to be "proactive" on the oil market and attempt to bring stability to it, while…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Spanish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jorge Hevia Sierra (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Spain Seeks to Increase Trade Exchange, Expand Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Madrid has unveiled efforts to raise the level of trade and economic exchange with Riyadh, by developing a new action plan with the Saudi-Spanish Business…

Fatehelrahman Yousif (Riyadh)
Business File - A member of the security forces stands guard outside a convention center hosting the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, in Marrakesh, Morocco, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

IMF Projects Growth to Slow in the Middle East

Real GDP growth is projected to slow in the Middle East and North Africa to 2% in 2023, from 5.6% last year, according to the IMF's Regional Economic Outlook. …

Asharq Al Awsat (Marrakesh)