13 November 2026 · Daily briefing
Friday briefing — Oman awards Duqm hydrogen projects as Qatar’s deficit widens
By Mina Lawendy · Egypt · Saudi Arabia · UAE · Kuwait · Oman · Qatar
Oman awarded two green hydrogen projects and Qatar reported a wider quarterly budget deficit. Egypt agreed to study a 50-well drilling program, Saudi Arabia outlined a mortgage refinancing target, and First Abu Dhabi Bank proposed a rights issue.
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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 remains uncertain
What to watch
Developments to follow from this edition’s watchlist. These are monitoring points, not assigned probabilities or predicted outcomes.
- Track final investment decisions for the two Duqm hydrogen projects.
- Watch for First Abu Dhabi Bank’s shareholder vote on 7 December and its subscription timetable.
- Follow Egypt’s 16–17 November business meeting for any investment commitments that emerge.
Egypt · Policy
Egypt and Halliburton agree to study a 50-well drilling program
What happened
Egypt’s state petroleum corporation signed a cooperation agreement with Halliburton to study drilling 50 wells over an 18-month program in General Petroleum Company operating areas.
Why it may matter
The studies will assess horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for deposits that are difficult to develop using conventional methods.
- Arab Finance · public reporting on the agreement
- Ahram Online · public reporting on the drilling plan
Egypt research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Egypt · Policy
Egypt prepares for Cairo investment meeting with the World Economic Forum
What happened
Egypt’s prime minister reviewed final preparations for a Cairo business meeting scheduled for 16–17 November. The government expects more than 70 senior representatives from international companies.
Why it may matter
The meeting gives Egypt a venue to present investment opportunities. Attendance is an expectation ahead of the event.
- Egyptian Gazette · public reporting on cabinet preparations
- Business Today Egypt · public reporting on the meeting
Egypt research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Saudi Arabia · Policy
Saudi mortgage refinancing company targets more than $40 billion by 2030
What happened
Saudi Arabia’s housing minister said the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company aims to exceed $40 billion in mortgage refinancing by 2030. He put current refinancing operations at about $18.7 billion.
Why it may matter
The target forms part of a push to connect housing finance with longer-term capital through tools such as securitisation and guarantees.
- Ajel · Arabic public reporting on the housing minister’s remarks
- Ajel English · English reporting on the same remarks
Saudi Arabia research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
UAE · Markets
First Abu Dhabi Bank proposes AED 15 billion rights issue
What happened
First Abu Dhabi Bank’s board backed a rights issue of up to AED 15 billion at AED 13.52 a share. The proposal requires shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Why it may matter
The bank plans to seek shareholder approval on 7 December. It has yet to announce the entitlement ratio or subscription timetable.
UAE research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
UAE · Companies
Air Arabia’s quarterly profit falls despite higher revenue
What happened
Air Arabia reported third-quarter 2026 net profit of AED 383 million, down 42% year on year, while revenue grew 10% to AED 2.31 billion.
Why it may matter
The carrier cited higher fuel costs and regional disruption. Passenger numbers fell 3% from a year earlier.
UAE research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Kuwait · Markets
Kuwait’s weekly equity turnover rises 20.7%
What happened
Boursa Kuwait turnover reached KWD 399.4 million in the week ended 12 November, up from KWD 330.6 million the previous week, Al Jarida reported.
Why it may matter
The All Share Index rose about 0.34% over the week and ended Thursday at 8,575.79.
- Al Jarida · public reporting on weekly trading
- QNA · state news agency reporting on Thursday’s Kuwait close
Kuwait research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Oman · Economy
Oman awards two Duqm green hydrogen projects
What happened
Oman awarded two green hydrogen projects in Duqm with combined planned capacity of about 121,000 tonnes a year by 2032. The projects target downstream fertiliser and ammonia production.
Why it may matter
The agreements set out project plans. Hydrom said the award framework is intended to help the projects progress towards final investment decisions.
Oman research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Oman · Policy
Oman approves food-security projects valued at over OMR 100 million
What happened
Oman approved 111 food-security investment projects valued at more than OMR 100 million at the close of its 2026 Food Security Lab, Oman News Agency reported.
Why it may matter
The approved projects form part of a program to expand domestic production. Separately, the lab concluded with 10 strategic agreements.
Oman research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Qatar · Economy
Qatar’s quarterly budget deficit widens to QAR 22.8 billion
What happened
Qatar recorded a QAR 22.8 billion budget deficit in July–September 2026, up from QAR 21.2 billion in the second quarter, the finance ministry said.
Why it may matter
Third-quarter spending was about QAR 39.9 billion against QAR 17.1 billion in revenue.
- QNA · state news agency reporting of finance ministry figures
- Devdiscourse · Reuters syndication of the fiscal release
Qatar research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard
Qatar · Economy
Qatar’s government awards reach QAR 6 billion in the third quarter
What happened
Qatar’s government awarded QAR 6 billion in contracts in the third quarter of 2026, up from QAR 4.4 billion in the second quarter and down 60% year on year.
Why it may matter
Local companies won QAR 5.5 billion of the quarter’s awards. The figures cover tenders, procurement practices and direct agreements.
- QNA · state news agency reporting of procurement figures
- Qatar Tribune · public coverage of the same ministry figures
Qatar research and data · Inflation history · GDP growth history · Interactive dashboard