Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Opinion: The duty to prepare for hard times

by Ali Ibrahim | Oct 30, 2013 | Opinion

There seems to be nothing to worry about, economically speaking, in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the world’s most important oil-exporting region. Oil prices are at all-time highs, with more than USD 100 per barrel. The six member states’ Gross...

Japan ruling bloc wins upper house election

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Jul 21, 2013 | World

Tokyo, AP—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition won a majority in the upper house of parliament in elections Sunday, media projected, giving it control of both chambers and a mandate to press ahead with difficult economic reforms. The win is an...

Media ID: 55307527
Caption:

Leila Iskander, an Egyptian social entrepreneur and consultant, takes part in a panel at the G8 Deuville conference in London, on 26 June 2013 (John Hanna/Asharq Al-Awsat)

London hosts Arab women in business conference

by Amy Assad & Grace Perriman | Jun 27, 2013 | Business

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Leading Arab businesswomen congregated in London on June 25 and 26 for a high-profile conference to promote the role of women in Arab economies. The two-day G8 Deauville Partnership: Women in Business conference, held at Lancaster House,...

Media ID: 55295738
Caption:

Egypt’s President Mohamed Mursi (R) meets with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the presidential palace in Cairo, in this August 22, 2012 file photo. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Why is the IMF in a Hurry with Egypt?

by Ali Ibrahim | Mar 14, 2013 | Opinion

This could be one of the few occasions when the IMF actively seeks to pressure a member state into taking out an urgent loan. The idea is that the funds would serve as a timely bridge until the county’s condition stabilizes, at which point both sides can negotiate a...