Angus Blair
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angusblair.bsky.social
Angus Blair
@angusblair.bsky.social
140 followers 92 following 37 posts
Finance/banking/economy. Corporate governance/ESG. Middle East & North Africa. Climate. Investment banking, asset management, City of London & emerging mkts. Former No 1 Inst'l Investor analyst & Prof of Practice, Business School, AUC. Twitter: AngusBlair1
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angusblair.bsky.social
My interview to discuss the much lower yoy trade surplus for #SaudiArabia in May. I noted that it reflects the deepening of & investment in the Saudi economy as key imports rise with investment & lower oil demand including from #China as it continues electrification
now.asharq.com/clips/177618...
الصين تطفئ المشهد النفطي.. والسعودية تستثمر في البدائل | NOW الشرق
تراجع صادرات النفط السعودية رغم ارتفاع الإنتاج يعود لتحول الصين الكهربائي والهدوء الصيفي، في حين سجلت الصادرات غير النفطية نموا قياسيا يعكس نضج الاقتصاد وتنوعه.
now.asharq.com
July 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My points on the Majid Al Futtaim $670m acquisition for 49.9% of Cenomi Retail in #SaudiArabia It's good to see significant #MENA intra-regional investment & underpins Saudi economic diversification & broadens Al Futtaim's international footprint.
#UAE #MENA now.asharq.com/clips/177541...
من الإمارات للسعودية.. "الفطيم" تمد جسور التجزئة الإقليمية | NOW الشرق
يمثل استحواذ "الفطيم" على 50% من "سينومي ريتيل" خطوة استراتيجية في قطاع التجزئة السعودي، ما يعزز قدرتها على مواجهة تنامي التجارة الإلكترونية.. المزيد عبر "NOW"
now.asharq.com
July 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My discussion on Bloomberg Asharq on the repercussions of a weaker USD on #SaudiArabia #UAE & wider #GCC in terms of monetary policy, inflation (food & other imports) & reserve management & no longer pegging currencies to the USD if weakness persists longer term.
تراجع الدولار يقلق الأسواق.. ويدفعها للبحث عن بدائل | NOW الشرق
تنامي ضعف الدولار يدفع البنوك المركزية لتسريع تنويع احتياطاتها، لكن بقاء النفط مسعرا بالدولار يجعل التحول بعيدا عنه عملية صعبة ولن تحدث بسرعة.. المزيد عبر الشرق
now.asharq.com
July 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview on #China TV discussing the visit of Chinese Premier, Li Quiang, to #Egypt. We discussed the likelihood of Chinese investment into several sectors including manufacturing &exports in the Suez Canal Zone & into renewable energy & China & regional geopolitics.

youtu.be/omq-W1T1_H8?...
Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Egypt: a look at economic and business ties
YouTube video by CGTN Europe
youtu.be
July 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
I shall be on Bloomberg Asharq between 12.10 to 12.25pm UK time, 9th July, to discuss #SaudiArabia, its monetary policy, interest rates and what pegging #GCC currencies to a weaker USD means for the economies and markets.
#stockmarket #investment #assetmanagement #UAE
July 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My Bloomberg Asharq interview today on the developments and growth in the sovereign and corporate sukuk / debt markets in #SaudiArabia and the outlook which, despite regional geopolitical issues, remains solid.

#emergingmarkets #debt #MiddleEast
now.asharq.com/clips/177345...
بين الإصلاحات والتحديات.. السعودية تطور أدواتها المالية | NOW الشرق
السعودية تتقدم في بناء سوق دين متطور، لكن ضعف الإصدارات وسياسات الاقتراض المحدودة تعيق مشاركة أوسع للمستثمرين الأجانب حتى الآن. المزيد على منصة الشرق Now
now.asharq.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Angus Blair
apnews.com
BREAKING: Palestinian witnesses and hospitals say Israeli forces opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people.
Israeli forces fire on people waiting for aid in Gaza, killing 25, witnesses and hospitals say
Palestinian witnesses say Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza.
bit.ly
June 24, 2025 at 6:59 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview to discuss #SaudiArabia monetary policy options (mirror of Fed's moves) & how the pegging of the Riyal to the USD could come under strain & be reviewed. We also discussed the potential expanded econ shocks of #Israel #Iran war. #geopolitics
now.asharq.com/clips/177210...
التضخم مجددًا في دائرة الخطر العالمي | NOW الشرق
مخاوف التضخم تعود بقوة مع تصاعد التوترات الجيوسياسية، والفيدرالي الأميركي يواجه ضغوطًا قد تؤخر تخفيض الفائدة رغم ترجيح خفضين في 2024 بحسب تصريحاته الأخيرة
now.asharq.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My Bloomberg Asharq talk on increased drive to diversify economies of #SaudiArabia the #UAE & other GCC states. Threats from regional geopolitical issues constrain outlook, as does the inability to have monetary policy independence (currency peg) but FDI growing well.
now.asharq.com/clips/176869...
موازنة السوق لا البرميل.. السعودية تغير قواعد اللعبة | NOW الشرق
تتجه المملكة السعودية إلى تحويل اعتماد ميزانياتها على أولويات السوق لا افتراضات النفط، متبنية لسياسة توازن ذكية بين القوى الكبرى، وسط تنويع اقتصادي متسارع.
now.asharq.com
June 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview discussing the Saudi Arabian market and the outlook for raising debt for the subsidiaries of the PIF - good, as long as the outlook & strategies merit the debt raising.
#SaudiArabia #debt #Stockmarket

now.asharq.com/clips/176162...
إصدار سندات باليورو.. خطوة جديدة لتعزيز سوق الدين السعودي | NOW الشرق
صندوق الاستثمارات العامة يصدر سندات باليورو لتعزيز جاذبية السوق. ارتفاع التصنيف الائتماني يدعم خفض تكاليف الاقتراض، فيما تسهم الخطوة في نضوج سوق الدين المحلية.
now.asharq.com
March 19, 2025 at 9:00 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
These are comments I posted on LinkedIn about the increasing importance of reading and being better informed in a time of increasing volatility & when information has become fragmented. It's also important to challenge prevailing assumptions to make better decisions.
www.linkedin.com/posts/angus-...
Reading more Having worked in financial markets for all of my working… | Angus Blair
Reading more Having worked in financial markets for all of my working life, excepting three years as the CIB Professor of Practice at the Business School of…
www.linkedin.com
March 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
My talk on Bloomberg Asharq to discuss inward FDI & outward investments in MENA region particularly #SaudiArabia & the #UAE which accounted for the largest shares. Capital market development & pro-investment policies helped. Similar trends will continue in 2025.
now.asharq.com/clips/175989...
السعودية والإمارات تتصدران صفقات الدمج والاستحواذ بالمنطقة | NOW الشرق
تواصل عمليات الدمج والاستحواذ في المنطقة تحقيق معدلات نمو قوية، مما يعكس تطور الاقتصادات المحلية، فقد ارتفعت قيمة هذه العمليات بنسبة 7% مقارنة بالعام السابق.
now.asharq.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview on Bloomberg Asharq today on the #SaudiArabia emerging markets event in Al Ula on EM trends (they need to have better strategies, undertake them faster & implement them better than before), as well on funding development in #Syria #emergingmarkets #Egypt

now.asharq.com/clips/175837...
مؤتمر "العلا".. خطوة جديدة لدعم الاقتصاد السوري | NOW الشرق
مؤتمر "العلا" يناقش دعم الاقتصادات المتضررة، مع التركيز على سوريا، حيث تواجه تحديات كبيرة في إعادة الإعمار، ما قد يستغرق 20 عاما لتطوير بنيتها التحتية.
now.asharq.com
February 17, 2025 at 7:12 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview on Bloomberg Asharq to discuss the #SaudiArabia #Qatar & #UAE stock markets & IPOs & why the US market indices rose due to increased valuations of high-tech stocks. The #Mena region needs better quality IPOs.
now.asharq.com/clip/%D8%A3%...
أسواق الخليج و"داو جونز".. عوامل محلية ودولية تعيد تشكيل العلاقات - الشرق مع Bloomberg
أنجوس بلير يناقش تراجع ترابط أسواق الخليج مع "داو جونز"، متحدثًا عن الاكتتابات بالسعودية، تضخم الأسواق، والجيوسياسية وتأثيرها على الأداء الاقتصادي. المزيد على الشرق Now
now.asharq.com
December 16, 2024 at 5:32 PM
angusblair.bsky.social

Syria: a personal view after meeting the former President of Syria, Bashar Al Assaad, 20 yrs ago in his palace, with the former (much missed) Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Gavyn Arthur. What happened years later, in 2011, was not a surprise.
#Syria
www.linkedin.com/posts/angus-...
Angus Blair on LinkedIn: #syria #mena #middleeast #revolution #capitalmarkets #economy #geopolitics…
Syria and developments. Part 1 Around 20 years ago I met Bashar Al Assaad, the former President of Syria. The British Syrian society had organised a…
www.linkedin.com
December 9, 2024 at 10:41 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview discussing the impact of the large French trade missions to Saudi Arabia led by President Macron & the investment deals announced. The French government does these missions very well, with key sectoral goals. #SaudiArabia #France #investment
now.asharq.com/clip/%D9%83%...
كيف ستنعكس الشراكة السعودية الفرنسية على الجانبين الاقتصادي والسياسي؟ - الشرق مع Bloomberg
تشهد الشراكة الاقتصادية بين السعودية وفرنسا دفعة قوية بالمرحلة المقبلة، بعد زيارة الرئيس الفرنسي ماكرون، التي شهدت توقيع العديد من الاتفاقات المهمة.. المزيد عبر "NOW"
now.asharq.com
December 5, 2024 at 11:46 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview on Bloomberg Asharq to discuss the G20 Summit & the effectiveness of its proposals on climate change, poverty reduction & geopolitics. I remain bearish on reducing emissions fast enough & noted that it would take crises for us to act. #climatechange #G20

now.asharq.com/clip/%D8%B6%...
ضرائب الأثرياء.. هل تحل مشكلة الفقر عالميا؟ - الشرق مع Bloomberg
على الرغم من تأكيد البيان الختامي لقمة العشرين على أهمية فرض ضرائب أكثر فاعلية على فائقي الثراء، يعتقد آنجوس بلير أن العديد من الدول لن تطبقها، مما يجعلها بلا جدوى
now.asharq.com
November 20, 2024 at 2:59 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
The global "order" has al but vanished as the geopolitical fault-lines have increased in number and complexity and, frankly, there has been insufficient attention to rising risks, politically, in terms of the rising loss of life, rising migration, military costs, environmentally & on food security.
November 16, 2024 at 3:32 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
On 6th November 2023, I wrote a Tweed thread on the Oct 7th attack on Israelis & others by Hamas & the Israeli response on the population in Gaza and what I expected to occur. Much of what I expected has, unfortunately, turned out to be relatively accurate. The outlook remains grim #Gaza #Palestine
November 16, 2024 at 3:26 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
My interview on Bloomberg Asharq on increasing economic stresses for emerging markets against a backdrop of increased short to medium term volatility, the potential effects of aTrump administration plans & geopolitical stresses.
#geopolitics #currencies #economy
now.asharq.com/clip/%D9%83%...
كيف تواجه الدول الناشئة تحديات سياسة ترمب الاقتصادية؟ - الشرق مع Bloomberg
الدولار القوي يشكل ضغطا على أسواق العملات الناشئة، مع دعوة لتدخل الحكومات لجذب الاستثمارات وتفادي تداعيات سياسة ترمب الاقتصادية.. تعرف على التفاصيل عبر "الشرق NOW"
now.asharq.com
November 14, 2024 at 10:04 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
To me, this is #Lebanon A multi-faith choir @ChoeurU of @USJLiban giving a sublime performance of the Stabat Mater by Poulenc a few weeks ago in St Joseph's, #Beirut
I hope more people understand that everyone is deserving of compassion & support.

#music
youtube.com/watch?v=2xPI...
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October 8, 2024 at 1:46 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
Expect the MPC of the Central Bank of Egypt to maintain rates at its meeting today. Cuts in fuel subsidies in late July and higher electricity prices in August and September are set to keep inflation rates high in Aug to Oct. The rate of inflation in July was 25.7%.
#Egypt
September 5, 2024 at 10:48 AM
angusblair.bsky.social
It is reported that Riad Salameh, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon for 30 years, has been arrested, judicial source says.
An independent commission needs to review thoroughly the Central Bank's actions over the last few decades.
#lebanon #centralbank
September 3, 2024 at 1:33 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
The 5 year anniversary of becoming the CIB Professor of Practice at @AUC @AUC_Business for 3 years, taken in my first lecture.Missing great young minds wanting to learn.
Good luck to all the new and continuing students for this academic year. Please keep reading.
#Egypt #CIBEgypt
September 3, 2024 at 12:46 PM
angusblair.bsky.social
The August PMI for Egypt is above 50.0 for the first time in over 3 years, at 50.4 vs 49.7 in July. It's good to see some recovery, in output & especially employment. I remain concerned over the continuing high level of the rate of inflation & rising prices on consumption.
September 3, 2024 at 12:37 PM