29 October 2026 · Daily briefing
Egypt’s rates, Gulf trade and capital-market funding
By Mina Lawendy · Egypt · Saudi Arabia · UAE · Kuwait · Oman · Regional / global
A country-by-country reading of Egypt’s policy decision, Saudi trade data, Dubai market activity, Kuwaiti bank capital and Oman’s investment pipeline. Earlier relevant releases retain their actual dates.
About 3 min read · Jump to a story below
AI-assisted original concise summaries grounded in the linked public evidence. The edition date is an editorial grouping; each story retains its source publication date. Reported plans, estimates and completed outcomes remain distinct. Read the editorial and corrections policy.
What to watch
- Watch how Egypt’s announced policy increase passes through to bank pricing.
- Separate Saudi Arabia’s newly published 2025 trade totals from 2026 outcomes.
- Track financing and signed investment commitments through to project delivery.
Egypt · Policy
Egypt announces a one-point policy rate increase
Reuters reports that Egypt’s central bank raised overnight deposit and lending rates by one percentage point on 29 October, to 20% and 21% respectively.
Context: The policy corridor affects funding conditions. Individual banks decide how changes pass through to their own deposit and loan products.
Egypt research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Saudi Arabia · Economy
Saudi services exports increased 6.9% in 2025
Saudi Gazette reports newly released GASTAT figures showing services exports of SAR251.7 billion in 2025, up 6.9%. Travel generated SAR159.9 billion; services imports totalled SAR488.6 billion.
Context: The release is current, but the reported annual period is 2025. Services exports and imports should be assessed together.
Saudi Arabia research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
UAE · Markets
Dubai market activity rises; one-off gains affect profit comparisons
WAM reports Dubai Financial Market’s nine-month traded value rose 22% to AED162 billion. Pre-tax profit was AED586.4 million; the prior-year comparison included a substantial property-sale gain.
Context: Higher trading activity and lower reported profit can coexist when the comparison includes one-off income. These figures cover nine months, rather than today’s trading session.
UAE research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Kuwait · Markets
Warba Bank settles KWD80 million capital sukuk
Warba Bank settled a KWD80 million perpetual Additional Tier 1 sukuk on 27 October. Its exchange disclosure specifies a 5.50% profit rate and a first call date in October 2031.
Context: The issue provides regulatory capital rather than ordinary senior funding. A first call date does not guarantee redemption.
Kuwait research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Oman · Economy
Oman signs investment agreements exceeding OMR304 million
Oman signed 28 investment agreements worth more than OMR304 million across economic zones, free zones and industrial cities on 28 October. Planned projects span manufacturing, logistics, food and commercial activities.
Context: Signed commitments add to the industrial pipeline. They do not establish that investment spending or construction is complete.
Oman research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Egypt · Markets
Egypt’s investment funds pass EGP 500 billion
Investment funds held EGP 504.71 billion in net assets at September-end, up 7.16% from June. Fund numbers rose from 224 to 232. Individuals owned 79.8% of certificates, which measures units rather than asset value.
Context: Higher asset values can reflect market gains as well as subscriptions. Certificate ownership alone does not establish investors’ share of total assets.
Egypt research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Egypt · Companies
Dandara solar project secures signed financing
Scatec signed USD 217 million in loans for Dandara’s first phase: 569 MW of solar and 100 MWh of storage supplying Egypt Aluminium. National Bank of Egypt will own 20%. Commercial operation is targeted for the first half of 2028.
Context: Signed financing advances the planned industrial power investment. Construction and commissioning milestones remain key to delivery.
Egypt research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Regional / global · Policy
Federal Reserve holds its policy range
The Federal Reserve kept its target range at 3.75–4.00% on 28 October. The vote was 10–2, with both dissenters favouring a quarter-point increase. The statement described strong activity and elevated inflation.
Context: US policy influences dollar funding conditions across Egypt and Gulf economies. It does not determine their next domestic policy decisions.