GULF WEEKLY: Tunisia crisis stirs Gulf divisions, Omani unemployment falls, IMF warns Bahrain

GULF COUNTRIES - Report 30 Jul 2021 by Justin Alexander

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

* Tunisia’s president has made a power grab, dismissing the prime minister, closing parliament and launching a probe of Islamist party Ennahda, which has had close relations with Qatar.
* The Tunisian crisis risks reopening political rifts in the Gulf, which are most visible on social media.
* Qatar’s foreign minister met with Iran’s incoming president as nuclear talks remain stalled.
* Saudi Arabia cancelled the $2bn privatization of a power and water plant due to low bids.
* PIF made a $22bn paper gain on the listing of EV company Lucid.
* Abu Dhabi slashed business fees in an effort to boost competitiveness against Saudi.
* Israel’s new prime minister called MBZ as the suspension of a pipeline deal strained relations.
* Israeli spyware firm NSO blamed Qatar for the scandal engulfing it.
* Anthony Blinken visited Kuwait to discuss the hosting of evacuated Afghans.
* Oman’s Covid cases and deaths continued to decline, and vaccinations have finally picked up.
* Omani unemployment fell by 1pp to 3.9% in June due to hiring initiatives after recent protests.
* The IMF said Bahrain needs an urgent fiscal adjustment, whether or not it gets more Gulf support.

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