Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI)

‘First Arab nation to be trusted’ Massive boost for emirate’s AI industry Restrictions lifted on military goods The US is removing restrictions on the sale of advanced American technology and other sensitive goods to the UAE, putting the Gulf state on a par with the US’s closest allies.

Qatar gained second spot in 2025 17% of capacity now offline Owns world’s third-largest reserves Qatar looks set to lose its newly regained title as the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) following Iranian attacks on its infrastructure. The Gulf state shipped nearly a fifth – 18.7 percent – of all LNG traded globally in 2025, moving ahead of Australia, which exported 18.4 percent, according to a report from the International Gas Union.

Suez traffic recovery accelerates Tankers test Red Sea route Pipeline plans gain urgency The Red Sea is becoming the “lesser evil” for shipowners, analysts said, as uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz outweighs the threat posed by Yemen’s Houthi militants.

$43bn sent home in 11 months Transfers increase by about a third End of black market a core factor Egyptian workers abroad sent home around $43 billion in the first 11 months of the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the highest level in the country’s history. The elimination of the currency black market and a rising cost of living has pushed more money through formal banking channels.

I receive an email from Cleo Mazari at TishTash comms agency informing me that “July in Dubai always carries a particular kind of emotional weight”. It offers me commentary from a distinguished group of health and wellness experts on how we should all deal with conflict-induced angst of the past few months, but one bit of the pitch in particular catches my eye. Financial anxiety is rising, apparently, because many residents simply cannot afford the summer holiday they would normally have taken.

Egypt has expanded coverage of its insurance for nationals living and working abroad, adding compensation for unfair dismissal. The optional scheme for expatriate Egyptians will include compensation of EGP100,000 ($2,016), the cabinet said, quoting Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) chairman Islam Azzam.

Global reserves high before Iran war China’s surprise act stabilised demand Some analysts look ‘ridiculous’ Forecasts that oil could reach $200 a barrel spread rapidly at the start of the US-Iran war and experts pondered whether the Strait of Hormuz could remain closed for a prolonged period. But these dire predictions never materialised. The highest level the global benchmark price, Brent crude futures, reached was $126. Even that spike was brief.

UAE telecom operator e& will divest its entire holding in British telecom Vodafone following a review of its international investment portfolio. e& will sell more than 3.94 billion shares, or 16.21 percent of Vodafone’s share capital, to Vega, an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by France’s Niel family group, for $5.95 billion, it said in a statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

Asyad Shipping, a subsidiary of Oman’s state-backed Asyad Group, has awarded a contract to build six medium-range tankers to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries. The contract is valued at OMR119 million ($308 million), the company said in a statement to the Muscat Stock Exchange. The company has also signed five-year time-charter agreements for all six vessels with a “leading global energy company”, the statement said.

Dubai-headquartered DP World has acquired 700 trucks to strengthen its road freight network in the GCC as US-Iran tensions continue. The move is part of the global ports operator’s long-term strategy to build an integrated logistics network linking ports and terminals, economic zones and digital platforms. The Strait of Hormuz was closed during the conflict, disrupting global energy and commodity supply chains. The resurgence of hostilities has again put the vital maritime route at risk.