Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: June 24, 2025
Kuwait Starts Mobilizing Banks for $6b Bond Sale
Kuwait’s finance ministry has begun assembling banks to underwrite a $6 billion bond issuance aimed at diversifying fiscal financing amid declining oil revenue.
Insight
The issuance signifies Gulf states are ramping up market-based financing to cushion oil-driven volatility, signaling fiscal normalization and external borrowing strategy.
Saudi PIF Adds Short‑Term Debt Tool to Broaden Funding Sources
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) will begin issuing short-term debt securities to diversify funding and reduce reliance on longer-term sukuk and bonds.
Insight
Adding short-term instruments improves liquidity flexibility and risk management, aligning with PIF’s evolving financial sophistication amid Vision 2030 transformation.
Syria president vows those involved in church attack will face justice
President Assad pledged that perpetrators of the Damascus church bombing, which killed dozens at Mar Elias Church, will be brought to justice.
Insight
Assad’s strong response aims to reassert government control and reassure Christian minorities, yet delivering credible justice remains challenging amid ongoing conflict.
