1/ Despite Strait of Hormuz disruption rattling trade routes, growth data, credit ratings, and capital flows across MENA are telling a steadier story than the headlines suggest
2/ The IMF’s July 8 update: MENA growth is projected to slow sharply to 0.7% in 2026, but rebound to 6.5% in 2027.
It’s a V-shaped hit, driven by temporary trade disruption rather than a breakdown in regional fundamentals.
3/ 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Fitch reaffirmed the Kingdom’s A+ credit rating on July 11, citing strong fiscal buffers and resilient banking, even as oil rerouted through the East-West pipeline during the disruption. Business confidence is already recovering.
4/ 🇦🇪 UAE: Dubai’s diamond trade hit a record $41.7bn in 2025 (DMCC), while DIFC Courts logged $2.73bn in claims and a record caseload in H1, signs that Dubai’s role as a capital and trade hub keeps deepening, disruption or not.
5/ 🇴🇲 Oman: United Solar closed a $50m equity investment from IFC (World Bank Group), fresh evidence that international capital is still backing MENA’s energy transition even in a turbulent quarter.
6/ 🇲🇦 🇮🇱 Morocco-Israel: Arkia will resume direct flights between Tel Aviv and Morocco on August 24, ending a three-year suspension. Bilateral trade has grown sharply since 2020 despite regional tension.