GULF WEEKLY: Kuwait capex cuts narrowed the deficit, UAE plans free trade partnership, UN sanctions on Iran to snap back

GULF COUNTRIES - Report 29 Aug 2025 by Justin Alexander

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

* European countries started the process of implementing “snapback” UN sanctions on Iran.
* Saudi banks sold $2.25bn in 10-year Tier 2 bonds, one of them green.
* Humain broke ground on its first data centers and launched an Arabic AI chatbot.
* UAE Q4 GDP showed that growth hit a two-year high of 5%, led by transport and construction.
* Dubai’s population surpassed 4m, and its 2040 plan targets further growth to 5.8m.
* The UAE is preparing to launch a trade openness partnership with other mid-sized economies.
* Adnoc signed another LNG deal with the Indian Oil Company to provide an additional 1m t/yr.
* Lunate is investing $2bn through a new platform in ADGM with Brevan Howard.
* Qatar’s Sheikh Mansour continued his Africa tour, signing a $20bn partnership with Mozambique.
* Kuwait’s deficit narrowed due to an -8% cut in expenditure, particular goods & services and capex.
* Oman’s non-oil export growth accelerated to 10.1% y/y in Q2, while Saudi Arabia’s slowed to 5.6%.
* Bahrain’s King made a private visit to Salalah in Oman.
* The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon will finish at end-2026, after nearly half a century.
* The official Gaza death toll surpassed 63,000, as Israel bombed Nasser Hospital.
* Databank updates: Kuwait fiscal, Dubai and UAE GDP, Saudi and Oman trade, Bahrain inflation…

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