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Baladna and World Bank's IFC Collaborate on Syria Dairy Project

Baladna and World Bank's IFC Collaborate on Syria Dairy Project

Qatar's Baladna Food Industries is collaborating with the World Bank's International Finance Corp. (IFC) to support the dairy industry in Syria. The partnership aims to assess the potential for rebuilding a sustainable dairy value chain in Syria, focusing on food security, rural livelihoods, and job creation. The project will evaluate milk production capacity, logistics bottlenecks, and compliance with environmental and social standards. Baladna and IFC will explore how small and medium-sized dairy farmers can be integrated into commercially viable supply chains.

Baladna Collaborates with World Bank's IFC to Revitalize Syria's Dairy Industry

Baladna Collaborates with World Bank's IFC to Revitalize Syria's Dairy Industry

Qatar's Baladna Food Industries has announced a partnership with the International Finance Corp. (IFC), a branch of the World Bank, to support the revival of Syria's dairy industry. This collaboration aims to strengthen food security, enhance rural livelihoods, and create jobs in Syria, a country severely affected by conflict. The project will evaluate the current milk production capacity in Syria, identify opportunities for consolidation, and address logistics challenges while ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards. Baladna and IFC plan to determine if a sustainable and investment-ready dairy value chain can be established at scale, beginning with analytical and field-based studies. The initiative is part of a broader effort to rebuild food systems in fragile environments, focusing on practical realities to restore domestic dairy production.

Two months into Iran war, economic strain mounts across emerging markets

Two months into Iran war, economic strain mounts across emerging markets

By Marc Jones and Karin Strohecker LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Two months since the outbreak of the Iran war, the charts below show how the economic toll is spreading beyond the Middle East, with emerging and developing markets facing rising inflation, growing fiscal strains and trade disruptions.

U.S. Halts Afghan Asylum Program, Leaving Allies in Limbo as Taliban Offers Safe Return

U.S. Halts Afghan Asylum Program, Leaving Allies in Limbo as Taliban Offers Safe Return

The U.S. has halted the resettlement program for over 1,100 Afghan allies stranded at a U.S. base in Qatar, following a deadly incident involving an Afghan national in the U.S. The Taliban has assured these individuals that they can return to Afghanistan safely, but the U.S. has offered them relocation to the Democratic Republic of Congo as an alternative. This decision has sparked outrage among advocacy groups, who argue that the options presented are coercive and unsafe. The situation stems from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover, which left many Afghans who assisted U.S. forces in a precarious position.

Gulf economies head for worst crisis since pandemic as war roils energy lifeline: Reuters poll

Gulf economies head for worst crisis since pandemic as war roils energy lifeline: Reuters poll

By Anant Chandak and Indradip Ghosh BENGALURU, April 27 (Reuters) - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies are sliding into their worst economic crisis since the pandemic, with several expected to contract this year on spillovers from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran right on its doorstep.

Alsara's Alia Rachid Advances Design Platform Amid Middle East Conflict

Alsara's Alia Rachid Advances Design Platform Amid Middle East Conflict

Alia Rachid, managing director of Alsara Investment Group and founder of Fromm., is pushing forward with her design platform, Fromm.Lab, despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Fromm.Lab has partnered with the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (Spark) in the UAE to support emerging design talent. This collaboration aims to develop a program focused on furniture and design, promoting creative exchange and opportunities in the regional design sector. Fromm.Lab, established in 2023, serves as a creative hub connecting Qatar's design world with Milan, a key global market. The platform recently showcased an exhibition at Milan Design Week, featuring works from its international design competition. The full exhibition is set to debut at the Design Doha Biennale, postponed to November 2026 due to regional unrest.

Qatar Ministry of Labour Launches Nationalisation Awards to Boost Workforce Development

Qatar Ministry of Labour Launches Nationalisation Awards to Boost Workforce Development

The Ministry of Labour in Qatar has introduced the Qatar Private Sector Nationalisation Awards, a new initiative aimed at promoting workforce nationalisation and enhancing the presence of Qatari talent in the labor market. These awards are part of the broader Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. They are designed to recognize and honor individuals and entities that contribute significantly to workforce nationalisation. The awards cover various career stages and economic sectors, offering a platform for celebrating success stories that inspire national development. Applications for the awards are open until May 9, 2026, and winners will receive a range of incentives, including a trophy, a certificate, and national recognition.

Gulf Economies Face Crisis Amid U.S.-Israel Conflict, Poll Shows

Gulf Economies Face Crisis Amid U.S.-Israel Conflict, Poll Shows

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies are experiencing their worst crisis since the pandemic due to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, according to a Reuters poll. The conflict has disrupted the energy market, causing a historic supply shock and leading to sharply higher oil prices. Economists have revised growth forecasts for 2026, with some countries expected to contract. The near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to refineries have severely impacted the region's economies. Despite high oil prices, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are expected to shrink, while the UAE's growth is stagnating. Saudi Arabia and Oman are faring slightly better but still face reduced growth forecasts.

Syria Seeks Strategic Role in Gulf and EU Relations Amid Regional Tensions

Syria Seeks Strategic Role in Gulf and EU Relations Amid Regional Tensions

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has embarked on a diplomatic tour in the Gulf and Europe to strengthen Syria's regional ties and position the country as a strategic corridor linking Central Asia, the Gulf, and Europe. During his visit, al-Sharaa met with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, discussing regional developments and bilateral cooperation. The Syrian leader also attended meetings in Cyprus with European officials, presenting a vision of regional connectivity. This diplomatic effort comes amid increased interest in land connections between the Middle East and Europe due to the ongoing Iran crisis. Syria aims to secure oil contracts and trade deals, leveraging its strategic location to attract investment and support post-conflict recovery.

Nigeria Supports Gulf Allies Amid Rising US-Israel-Iran Tensions

Nigeria Supports Gulf Allies Amid Rising US-Israel-Iran Tensions

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has expressed support for Gulf countries amid escalating tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. During a diplomatic ceremony in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized Nigeria's commitment to peace and stability, highlighting the country's strategic alliances with Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The ceremony, which marked the accreditation of new envoys, served as a platform for Nigeria to reaffirm its foreign policy priorities, including economic reforms aimed at attracting international investment and enhancing regional security.

Afghanistan calls on Afghans who helped US in war and are now stuck in Qatar to return home

Afghanistan calls on Afghans who helped US in war and are now stuck in Qatar to return home

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort and are stuck in Qatar can safely return home

Afghanistan Urges Return of Afghans Stuck in Qatar Amid U.S. Resettlement Talks

Afghanistan Urges Return of Afghans Stuck in Qatar Amid U.S. Resettlement Talks

Afghanistan's foreign ministry has called for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its war efforts and are currently stranded in Qatar to return home. This comes amid reports that the U.S. is in discussions to potentially relocate these individuals to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group, known as #AfghanEvac, has expressed concerns about returning to Afghanistan due to fears of Taliban reprisals. The U.S. State Department is exploring options for voluntary resettlement in a third country but has not confirmed specific locations. The Afghans in Qatar have voiced their reluctance to move to Congo, citing ongoing conflict there, and have highlighted the mental health toll of their uncertain situation.