Middle East

Energy, Oil & Gas

IEA forecasts 0.5pc drop in global natural gas demand in 2026

Wed, 08 Jul 2026

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts global natural gas demand will fall 0.5 per cent in 2026 as Middle East conflict-driven supply disruptions, higher prices and reduced LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz weigh on consumption.

Industry, Logistics & Shipping Motoring

Top EV brand VinFast names new Middle East CEO

Wed, 08 Jul 2026

VinFast, an electric vehicle brand of Vingroup, a business conglomerate in Vietnam, has appointed Prashanth Rao as the new CEO for its Middle East operations. In this role, Rao will spearhead the regional strategy, accelerate EV adoption and establish a robust footprint in a rapidly growing market.

Construction & Real Estate Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Samsung E&A seals $790m Mideast water treatment project deal

Mon, 06 Jul 2026

Samsung E&A, one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction and project management (EPC&PM) companies, has secured a water treatment project worth $790 million in the Middle East, further strengthening its presence in the region’s water infrastructure sector.

Motoring

Middle East vehicle sales to decline 3.9% this year: report

Mon, 06 Jul 2026

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) vehicle sales is expected to decline by 3.9% y-o-y in 2026, to 3.90 million units, says a new report.

Construction & Real Estate Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Acciona deploys digital platform across Mideast desalination plants

Mon, 06 Jul 2026

Acciona said it is deploying a digital platform across its desalination plants, both in the Middle East as well as globally, to improve operational efficiency and real-time decision-making, using Schneider Electric's plant management system (PMS) based on Aveva PI System technology.

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Global air cargo volumes, rates up in H1 despite Mideast disruptions

Sat, 04 Jul 2026

Worldwide air cargo tonnages and rates for the first half of 2026 were well up on last year’s levels with the June’s figures up 9% over the same month last year, and stable compared to May, despite the disruptions to capacity and markets in the Middle East, said a report.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Qiddiya City secures top global destination accreditation

Thu, 23 Jul 2026

Qiddiya City has become the first destination management organisation in the Middle East to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation Programme (DMAP) Accreditation with Distinction from Destinations International, marking the highest level of recognition under the global accreditation framework.

Finance & Capital Market

$24.5bn: Saudi Arabia accounts for 84% of Middle East dividend payouts

Thu, 23 Jul 2026

Saudi Arabia was the region's largest dividend payer, distributing an estimated $24.5 billion during the first quarter and accounting for almost 84% of all Middle East dividends, according to a new report.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Etihad, Abra Group sign deal to boost Latin America links

Wed, 22 Jul 2026

Etihad Airways and Abra Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen air connectivity between Latin America, the Middle East and Asia through closer cooperation between Etihad and Abra's airlines, including Avianca, GOL and Wamos Air.

Energy, Oil & Gas

Escalating Mideast tensions raise O&G supply risks: IEA

Wed, 22 Jul 2026

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that escalating conflict in the Middle East is increasing risks to global energy security, with threats to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait fuelling uncertainty over global oil and natural gas supplies.