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Sandrine Zimra

Sandrine Zimra

Sandrine Zimra has been a financial analyst for 25 years. Based in Geneva, she covers countries in the Middle East and travels regularly to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, and Israel. She contributes to Mena Today with her financial reports and insights on the region.

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TAQA considers major U.S. buyouts in power sector push

United Arab Emirates

TAQA considers major U.S. buyouts in power sector push

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) is actively exploring acquisitions in the United States and other international markets as part of its aggressive expansion strategy, CEO Jasim Husain Thabet revealed in an interview with Reuters.

Russia and Bahrain in final talks over three-year LNG agreement

Bahrain

Russia and Bahrain in final talks over three-year LNG agreement

Russia is nearing the final stages of a major energy agreement with Bahrain that would see Moscow supply 1.5 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually to the Gulf kingdom over a three-year period, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Qatar launches major incentive scheme to drive economic diversification

Qatar

Qatar launches major incentive scheme to drive economic diversification

In a major move to accelerate foreign and domestic investment, Invest Qatar, the country’s investment promotion agency, unveiled a $1 billion economic stimulus program on Wednesday, aimed at driving capital inflows and enhancing the diversification of Qatar’s economy. 

UAE unveils Falcon Arabic AI as Gulf powers accelerate AI race

United Arab Emirates

UAE unveils Falcon Arabic AI as Gulf powers accelerate AI race

In a bold move reflecting its ambition to become a global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse, the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday unveiled Falcon Arabic, a new AI model tailored specifically to the Arabic language and its diverse linguistic nuances. 

Hapoalim profits rise 25% in Q1 as lending surges

Israel

Hapoalim profits rise 25% in Q1 as lending surges

Bank Hapoalim, one of Israel’s two largest financial institutions, reported a robust first-quarter net profit of 2.42 billion shekels ($680.6 million), a significant rise from 1.94 billion shekels a year earlier. 

S&P warns of conflict impact as Israel’s ‘A’ rating holds

Israel

S&P warns of conflict impact as Israel’s ‘A’ rating holds

S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed Israel’s sovereign credit ratings at “A/A-1” for both long- and short-term foreign and local currency debt. However, the agency cautioned that an extended or escalating military conflict could weigh heavily on the country's economic resilience, fiscal health, and external balances.

Israel’s growth outlook dims under new U.S. tariff threats

Israel

Israel’s growth outlook dims under new U.S. tariff threats

The Israeli economy is expected to take a hit from the Trump administration’s proposed global tariff plan, with the Finance Ministry estimating a potential annual GDP loss of less than 0.5%, or under NIS 10 billion.

Gulf issuers chase capital as oil prices strain budgets

Saudi Arabia

Gulf issuers chase capital as oil prices strain budgets

Several major Gulf institutions, including Saudi Arabia’s $925 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), are preparing to issue new bonds in the coming weeks, defying recent volatility in global debt markets triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.

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