Author
Articles by Gabriela Montoya
Business & Economy
Which Gulf countries have VAT? The rates, explained
Saudi Arabia charges 15 percent, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman charge 5, and Qatar and Kuwait charge nothing yet. How the GCC value-added framework landed unevenly across the six states.
Gabriela Montoya
Business & Economy
How Gulf pension systems work, and what expats get instead
Citizens build state pensions funded by employer and employee contributions; expatriates fall outside the schemes and receive end-of-service gratuity instead. How the six GCC systems differ, and where the reforms are heading.
Gabriela Montoya
Business & Economy
Egypt's core inflation eases to 11.2 percent in January
Central Bank data show core inflation falling from 11.8 percent in December to 11.2 percent in January 2026, a continued disinflation that frames the monetary-policy question as the IMF program's next reviews arrive.
Gabriela Montoya
Business & Economy
UAE non-oil growth accelerates as Dubai PMI hits 55.9 in January
S&P Global's January purchasing managers' indexes, published February 4, show Dubai at 55.9 and the UAE at 56.6, with new business growth accelerating on demand strength across the non-oil economy.
Gabriela Montoya
Business & Economy
How startup funding works in MENA: from pre-seed to the unicorns
Saudi and Emirati state-backed capital now anchors the regional stack, fintech produces the unicorns, and the exit door is usually acquisition rather than public listing. How the money actually moves.
Gabriela Montoya