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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy

Semafor Gulf

Gulf states bet on AI investment to secure US backing

As the Gulf waits for Trump’s next move on Iran, amid a prodigious buildup of US forces in the region, the argument for AI-as-protection is an untested one.
A US Navy plane.US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman/Handout via Reuters

Kuwait plans new citizenship law following crackdown

Kuwait’s authorities recently stripped at least 50,000 people of their nationality, claiming they obtained it illegitimately.
An aerial view taken with a drone shows Kuwait Telecommunication Tower and the surrounding in Kuwait City, Kuwait City, Kuwait October 7, 2020.Stephanie McGehee/File Photo/Reuters

Bahrain hit by another credit downgrade

The government set out plans to tackle the situation, including a corporate income tax from 2027.
A view of Manama.Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Saudi relaxes rules for foreign companies to establish headquarters in the country

Saudi Arabia began blocking foreign companies without a regional headquarters in the kingdom from bidding for government contracts two years ago, but it’s now becoming more flexible.
The King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station in Riyadh.Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Finstreet sees UAE as crossroads in private capital boom

The fintech startup is hoping to tap into $600 billion in private assets seeking exits across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, its CEO told Semafor.
ADGM in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of ADGM.

Dubai aircraft lessor climbs global ranks

DAE Capital is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy Australia’s Macquarie AirFinance as it seeks to join the world’s top aircraft lessors.
A logo of DAE Capital.Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

Middle East states condemn US ambassador’s Israel comments

Mike Huckabee said that Israel had a Biblical right to parts of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Saudi Arabia expands gaming investments

Riyadh continues to bet big on video games, adopting a multi-tiered approach to dealmaking.

Abu Dhabi’s G42 to build supercomputer for India

At 8 exaflops of capacity, the project makes it competitive with the world’s leading supercomputers.

Saudis display mixed signals toward Israel in new survey

In a new survey of 15 Arab countries, Saudis appeared to be the least opposed to the idea of recognizing Israel.

UAE space probe earns two more years on Mars

Adding an additional Martian year, roughly two of ours, will allow the Emirates Mars Mission to gather more data on seasonal changes.

Consulting still growing in Saudi despite slowdown

The industry’s revenues will expand by 13% this year, slower than the 25% rise in 2023 but still higher than the international average, a new report found.

Riyadh tiptoes toward looser Ramadan restrictions

A small but growing number of cafes and restaurants are starting to serve food during the Muslim month of fasting, in the latest sign of social change.

UAE joins $700M plan to lay internet cable to Türkiye through Iraq

The project signals that the network for transferring data across the Middle East is becoming more robust.

Saudi’s HUMAIN invests $3B in Elon Musk’s xAI

It’s the Saudi AI champion’s splashiest direct investment yet.

Abu Dhabi’s MGX talks AI investment strategy, deal access

Having powerful principals in Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and Mubadala chief Khaldoon Al Mubarak helps, as does a New York office staffed with venture and private equity veterans.

Why the UAE dominates in Arab tech leadership

Despite being home to only 2% of the Arab world’s population, the UAE accounts for almost half of the region’s tech leadership.

Iran partially closes Strait of Hormuz amid nuclear talks

It was Tehran’s first closure of the waterway since US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran in January.