Following completion of its IMF programme, Egypt needs progress on improving access to finance, better management of state-owned enterprises and integrating the informal economy.

Our quarterly regional theme to be published in full on 20 December analyses trade and investment relations between the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Turkey. It highlights the inroads Turkey has been making into MENA economically since 2002, while also noting recent rifts between the two sides.

The government of Uzbekistan plans to hand over 300,000 hectares of land to private businesses, expecting them to increase yields.

The EBRD has published its Regional Economic Prospects report, predicting an ebb in Central Asian growth.

Spending cuts in Bahrain could slow economic growth and proposals to cut subsidies have faced stiff opposition from some MPs, as well as members of the Al-Wefaq opposition in parliament.

The banking sector of Iran is fully Shariah compliant, making the Islamic Republic the largest Islamic banking asset holder in the world.

A combination of oil and non-oil-based revenue is smoothly driving the economy and helping the government raise spending to boost growth further.

When the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, Tehran’s mantra was that the other parties would provide benefits as recompense.

Saudi Arabia is on track to reduce its budget deficit to 7% of GDP or less this year from 8.6% in 2017 if oil prices remain at the current average for the rest of 2018.

The US has reimposed trade sanctions on Iran, barring it from buying US dollars and trading gold, metal and cars with the outside world. The rial is down to half its previous worth; prices are up by half their previous worth; and the political elites are fuming.