Dubai’s VFS Global seeks $2bln in term loans to refinance debt
The facility will consist of USD and euro loans. VFS Global, the Zurich and Dubai headquartered provider of outsourced visa and consular services, is looking
GCC bank debt issuances top $60bln in 2025, to remain strong in 2026: Fitch
GCC lenders account for 30% of USD issuances by EM banks this year. Debt issuances by banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are set
Saudi’s Bank AlJazira prices $500mln, non-call 5.5-year sukuk
The final orderbook is in excess of $1.65bln, excluding JLM interest. Saudi Arabia’s Bank AlJazira, rated A3 (stable) / A-(stable) by Moody’s and Fitch, has
Sri Lanka economy reports 4.9% growth in second quarter
Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector grew by 2% in the second quarter from a year earlier. Sri Lanka’s economy grew 4.9% year-on-year in the second quarter
Economic impact of US tariff hikes: Significance of trade diversion effects
The 2025 US tariff increases varied significantly across most economies. This column argues that the economic impact of these tariffs will also not be uniform.
Can AI give small scale producers the right advice?
The World Bank has long recognized the critical importance of agricultural extension services – ranging from training and data to technology transfer – which make
China’s electronics export juggernaut and lessons for the US
In 2021, China’s electronics exports exceeded those of the other five leading exporters combined. This column analyses the rise of China as a centre for
Plugging Europe’s investment gap: understanding the potential of leveraging institutional investors
Expanding funded pensions via auto-enrolment could boost long-term investment and saver security, allowing the EU to address its investment gap. The European Union faces a
Sudden stops in the euro area
Internal balance-of-payment crises should be taken as a strong signal of weakness and a wake-up call to reform euro area structures The single currency was
Britain’s AI hopes face harsh reality of high electricity costs
Britain’s ambition to rev up its economy and tap the AI revolution faces the harsh reality that the abundant, clean and reliable electricity supply this
