Middle East / Africa
Long-term higher food prices will drive inequalities
World food prices continued to ease in July, led by cereal, although remain far above 2013-18 levels
InternationalKuwait faces severe fiscal challenges into medium term
Kuwait faces major budgetary challenges into the medium term as government attempts to implement unpopular fiscal reform
KuwaitInstitutional flaws will mar Zambia anti-graft efforts
Lack of institutional independence hampers the fight against corruption in government
ZambiaInternal strife will keep Turkey’s parties occupied
Rumours of discontent in the ruling coalition and main opposition parties are spreading
TurkeyA wider tax base helps Saudi fiscal management
Despite registering a budget deficit, Riyadh announced positive revenue trends
Saudi ArabiaNew FTAs will boost Gulf states’ trade and investment
Turkey and the United Kingdom hope to conclude free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Gulf Cooperation Council states
Gulf statesQatar’s government debt ratio will fall further
Qatar’s budget surplus will be used to repay government debt
QatarUN position in northern Yemen will be precarious
After a campaign of arrests targeting UN personnel, the Huthis instructed UN human rights staff to leave the country
Yemen
