Qatar’s August inflation drops 0.58% as key sectors see price softening 

The figures were released by Qatar’s Planning and Statistics Authority. Shutterstock.
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Updated 21 September 2023
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Qatar’s August inflation drops 0.58% as key sectors see price softening 

RIYADH: Qatar’s consumer price index experienced a monthly decline of 0.58 percent in August, reaching 106.25 points, according to the country’s Planning and Statistics Authority.   

The data showed CPI decreased in six groups, rose in three and remained unchanged in three. 

Among them, recreation and culture experienced a 3.37 percent drop in August compared to July.  

The transport sector softened by 1.65 percent, and clothing and footwear fell 0.99 percent.   

The housing and utilities sectors also declined by 0.79 percent, while miscellaneous goods and services dropped by 0.14 percent.   

A similar trend was observed in the prices of restaurants and hotels, with a slight fall of 0.13 percent.   

However, the food and beverages sector recorded an increase of 1.46 percent, followed by education, which rose by 1.62 percent. The furniture and household equipment sector grew by 0.11 percent.  

In contrast, the tobacco, healthcare, and communication sectors showed no change compared to July. 

Moreover, the country’s CPI witnessed a 2.38 percent surge compared to the same month last year. 

On a year-on-year basis, communication costs in August surged 15.85 percent compared to the year-ago period, followed by a 7.91 percent rise in recreation and culture, 5.7 percent in education and 2.33 percent in furniture and household equipment. 

Additionally, the transport sector saw a year-on-year price increase of 1.85 percent. The housing, water, electricity, other fuel, food and beverages, and health sectors saw price escalations. 

Conversely, there were dips in restaurants and hotels by 4.59 percent in August compared to the same month last year. Clothing, footwear, miscellaneous goods, and services also saw yearly declines, while tobacco remained steady. 

Kuwait CPI rose 0.15% in August  

Kuwait recorded a 0.15 percent monthly increase in its CPI in August, mainly driven by a surge in food, education and clothing prices. 

The inflation figure also saw a 3.82 percent increase in August compared to the same month last year. 

According to data from the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics, food and beverages saw a 5.7 percent yearly increase in August, while the clothing sector saw a 6.97 percent surge. 


Saudi Finance Ministry acquires 86% stake in Binladin Group through debt-to-equity conversion

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Saudi Finance Ministry acquires 86% stake in Binladin Group through debt-to-equity conversion

RIYADH: The general assembly of Binladin International Holding Group has approved a capital increase through the conversion of existing debt into equity, a move that results in the Saudi Ministry of Finance acquiring an 86 percent ownership stake in the company, according to a report by Al-Arabiya.

The decision marks a significant step in restructuring the group’s financial position and reflects shareholder confidence in the company’s long-term strategy and operational recovery.

In a statement cited by the Al-Arabiya report, Binladin Group’s board of directors said the approval underscores trust in the company’s future direction and reinforces its development and growth objectives.

Under the approved arrangement, outstanding financial obligations will be settled through the issuance of new shares, allowing the company to substantially reduce its debt burden and strengthen its balance sheet.

As a result, the Ministry of Finance will become the group’s majority shareholder, aligning the government directly with the company’s growth trajectory while supporting its financial stability.

The transaction follows earlier measures taken by the Ministry of Finance to stabilize the group’s financial structure.

Previously, Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center announced the successful completion of a syndicated loan facility on behalf of the ministry, arranged with a consortium of local and international banks. The facility totaled approximately SR23.3 billion ($6.2 billion) and was part of a broader framework to address the company’s liabilities.

The Ministry of Finance had earlier outlined a series of coordinated steps with Binladin Group to settle outstanding cash obligations to banks and restructure the company’s financial commitments. These measures were designed to restore operational stability and enable the group to continue executing its portfolio of large-scale construction projects.

The move is seen as a continuation of the government’s broader support for the construction and infrastructure sector, a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation agenda under Vision 2030.

The restructuring is expected to help ensure the timely completion of strategic projects, safeguard employment, and enhance the sector’s attractiveness to investors.

Commenting on the development, Mohammed Al-Tayyar, a political economy researcher, said the capital increase through a debt-to-equity swap significantly strengthens Binladin Group’s financial standing. He noted that the transaction is likely to bolster investor confidence, improve governance and transparency, and open up new opportunities for sustainable growth as the company moves forward under a more stable financial framework.