Middle East

Middle East Travel Alerts

US State Department Issues Level 4 Travel Advisory Advising Against Visiting Yemen

The U.S. Department of State has issued an updated Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Yemen, warning citizens not to travel to the country for any reason. The advisory cites critical risks including terrorism, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health hazards, explicitly extending the notice to Socotra Island. Consular support remains unavailable due to the suspension of U.S. embassy operations in Sana'a since 2015.

China–UAE News

Gargash Prime and JINGDONG Property Form Joint Venture for Dubai Logistics Facility

UAE-based Gargash Prime and JINGDONG Property, the infrastructure arm of China's JD.com, signed a joint venture memorandum of understanding to develop a 2.5 million square foot logistics facility in Dubai. Signed during the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen, the hub aims to support regional supply chain operations across the Middle East.

Industry News

UAE and Kuwait Expand Naphtha Exports to Asia via Offshore Transfers

The UAE and Kuwait have increased naphtha exports to Asian petrochemical producers using ship-to-ship transfer operations conducted outside the Strait of Hormuz. Between August and September, ADNOC and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation exported approximately 1.6 million metric tons of naphtha, more than doubling shipments from the March-April period. The surge reflects growing utilization of alternative loading and offshore transshipment hubs including Fujairah and waters off Oman and India.

Industry News

ChinaAMC HK and Qatar’s Lesha Bank Partner on Shari’a China Equity Fund

China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited and Qatar-based Lesha Bank signed an MOU to launch a Shari'a-compliant All-China active equity fund. The fund provides GCC institutional and high-net-worth investors targeted access to Chinese A-shares, H-shares, and overseas-listed equities. Lesha Bank acts as investment manager, while ChinaAMC (HK) serves as sub-investment manager overseeing portfolio decisions.