Economy

Saudi Arabia to invest $5 bn in AI data centre
Saudi Arabia to invest $5 bn in AI data centre

A Saudi company will invest $5 billion to build an artificial intelligence data centre in the futuristic city of NEOM, state media reported. The agreement, signed between DataVolt and NEOM, would fund the creation of a fully sustainable AI data centre with a 1.5 gigawatt capacity, the official SPA news agency said. The project will be located in ...

Global Stocks Wobble, Gold Shines as Tariff Uncertainty Looms
Global Stocks Wobble, Gold Shines as Tariff Uncertainty Looms

United States stock markets wobbled, and gold reached fresh highs on Tuesday as traders kept a nervous eye on US President Donald Trump’s next tariff decisions, worried about inflation and interest rates. European markets rose, with both Frankfurt and London again setting records, while Asian equity markets struggled for direction. Trump has ...

US Foreign Aid Halt to Have Major Hit on Poorest Countries: Report
US Foreign Aid Halt to Have Major Hit on Poorest Countries: Report

A suspension of US foreign aid and possible dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will have a major impact on some of the world's poorest countries, the Washington-based Center for Global Development (CGD) warned Tuesday. For more than 20 economies, a year-long pause on US aid could mean a loss of over one percent ...

Real Estate Prices: How Have They Changed Over Time?
Real Estate Prices: How Have They Changed Over Time?

Lebanon’s real estate market is currently defined by a mismatch between sellers’ and buyers’ expectations. While sellers are banking on a price increase, driven by hopes of an economic recovery following the election of a president after more than two and a half years of political deadlock, buyers continue to perceive a stagnant market. A ...

Trump Signs Executive Orders for Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to Start March 12
Trump Signs Executive Orders for Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to Start March 12

  US President Donald Trump signed executive orders to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from March 12, ramping up a long-promised trade war despite warnings from Europe and China. "Today I'm simplifying our tariffs on steel and aluminum," Trump said Monday in the Oval Office. "It's 25 percent without exceptions or ...

Lebanon Claims a Strategic Position in Gold Reserves!
Lebanon Claims a Strategic Position in Gold Reserves!

Despite its significant economic challenges, Lebanon maintains a prominent position in terms of gold reserves in the Arab world. According to the latest report from the World Gold Council (WGC), the country ranks second among Arab nations with the largest gold reserves, holding an impressive total of around 287 tons by the end of 2024, equivalent ...

Taiwan says 'willing' to buy more US natural gas, as tariffs loom
Taiwan says 'willing' to buy more US natural gas, as tariffs loom

Taiwanese state-owned energy giant CPC Corporation "is willing" to increase natural gas imports from the United States, Taiwan said Monday, after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor chips. Taiwan imports nearly all of its energy supply, with official data showing about 38 percent of its natural gas comes ...

Figure of the Week: Electricity Production Up 36.7% in the First Half of 2024
Numbers & FiguresFigure of the Week: Electricity Production Up 36.7% in the First Half of 2024

Electricity production increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Banque du Liban. It reached 2.239 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), up from 1.638 million kWh during the same period last year. This growth continues the 41.7% increase seen between 2022 and 2023, when total production ...

Gold Soars While Silver Remains Steady
Gold Soars While Silver Remains Steady

In 2024, gold surged by approximately 27%, setting new records, while silver, though up 27.5%, showed more moderate fluctuations. However, unlike gold, silver has yet to surpass its all-time high. The primary driver behind gold's meteoric rise is its long-established role as a safe-haven asset. In times of economic, political or geopolitical ...

Ministry of Finance Announces 2024 Tax Regulations for Built Properties
Ministry of Finance Announces 2024 Tax Regulations for Built Properties

The Ministry of Finance issued a statement on Friday regarding the declaration of income subject to the tax on built properties and the corresponding tax payments. In line with Articles 51, 52, and 53 of Law No. 324, dated February 12, 2024 (Finance Law for 2024), the Ministry reminds taxpayers of the following key points: Electronic ...

IMF to Unveil New Loan Package for Egypt
IMF to Unveil New Loan Package for Egypt

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to submit a new loan agreement with Egypt for approval by its board, the global lender’s communications chief said Thursday, as the country seeks to strengthen its economy. “A policy package of reforms will be considered by the Fund’s executive board, along with the fourth review of Egypt’s ...

Qatar Pledges Broad Support for Lebanon
Qatar Pledges Broad Support for Lebanon

The Qatari ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, has announced that Qatar will soon provide extensive support to Lebanon, particularly in the economic sector. He highlighted the strong interest of Qatari investors in various industries, including electricity, oil and gas, port operations and airport management. Speaking at ...