Sandrine Zimra

Israel increasingly resembles an economy captured by monopolies, where a small circle of powerful interests dominates key sectors and ordinary consumers foot the bill.

Israeli high-tech companies raised $15.6 billion in private funding in 2025, up sharply from $12.2 billion in 2024, according to preliminary data released on Monday by Startup Nation Central (SNC).

Remittance inflows from Egyptians working abroad rose sharply in 2025, providing a significant boost to the country’s foreign currency earnings. 

Qatar has once again confirmed its position among the world’s most prosperous nations, ranking sixth globally in the 2025 list of the richest countries by GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), according to Forbes India.

Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 drew more than 35,000 participants, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing status as a major global financial hub after a week of high-level discussions, landmark announcements, and strategic deals.

Abu Dhabi has unveiled a major new financial innovation hub with the launch of the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster, approved by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to acquire Czech airline Smartwings along with its shareholder Czech Airlines, in a deal valued at €154 million. 

Turkish digital asset platform Paribu announced on Friday that it has acquired a majority stake in Bahrain- and Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange CoinMENA, in a transaction valuing the company at up to 240 million dollars. 

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce has announced the creation of the Cyprus Business Council, a new platform designed to strengthen trade, investment, and business cooperation between Dubai and Cyprus.

Saudi Arabia approved its 2026 national budget on Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 44.1 billion dollars, as the Kingdom continues to invest heavily in its long-term economic transformation and reduce its dependence on oil revenues.

Saudi Arabia wants to attract a greater number of Japanese companies as the kingdom accelerates efforts to draw foreign investment and support its broad economic diversification agenda, the head of its sovereign wealth fund said on Monday.

AD Ports Group, the UAE’s leading ports, logistics and trade-facilitation company, has announced the sale of its 9.77% stake in NMDC Group PJSC to Alpha Dhabi Holding for AED 1.6 billion (US$436 million).