​GULF WEEKLY: Gulf facilitates Afghan evacuation, UAE royal visits Qatar, vaccination rates rise

GULF COUNTRIES - Report 27 Aug 2021 by Justin Alexander

A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines:

* The UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoun visited Qatar’s Emir in a potential breakthrough in the bilateral feud.
* Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are hosting Afghan evacuees, and Gulf states are contemplating relations with the Taliban.
* Iran’s cabinet was approved by parliament, and Russia urged it to resume nuclear talks.
* Saudi Arabia signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia as it diversifies alliances.
* Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim signed a $1.5bn green loan. IHC is considering a debut bond next year.
* Etihad has entered into a partnership with an Israeli firm to convert 777s into cargo aircraft.
* Qatar is holding its first legislative election on October 2. Separately, it has faced renewed criticism about migrant deaths, and one of its US lobbyists is under investigation.
* More than two-thirds have received at least one vaccine dose in laggards Oman and Kuwait.
* A giant green hydrogen project in Duqm is looking more likely to happen after a land lease deal.
* Oman Investment Authority has been given broad new powers to contribute to the economy.
* Bahrain’s Future Generation Reserve Fund’s assets have fallen to $531m.
* A Saudi diplomat visited Tunisia as its president extended his suspension of parliament.
* Gulf states called for dialogue as Algeria broke ties with Morocco over espionage concerns.

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