Middle EastKuwait bars unvaccinated citizens from travel abroad
Reuters
1 minute read
Police and civil aviation personnel wearing protective face masks work at the Kuwait Airport as the repatriation process of Kuwait citizens continues, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kuwait City, Kuwait April 21, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
Kuwaiti citizens who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be able to travel abroad from May 22, the information ministry said on Monday, citing a decision by Kuwait s cabinet.
The ban does not include people in age groups ineligible to receive vaccinations. A previous directive banning the entry of non-Kuwaitis into the Gulf state still stands, the statement said.
Middle EastMIDEAST STOCKS Gulf bourses mixed in early trade
Reuters
3 minute read
A Saudi trader observes the stock market on monitors at Falcom stock exchange agency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Stock markets in the Gulf were mixed early on Sunday, with bourses in the United Arab Emirates supported by corporate earnings reports.
Saudi Arabia s benchmark index (.TASI) was down 0.4%, extending losses from the previous session.
Saudi National Bank (1180.SE), the kingdom s largest lender, and petrochemical firm Saudi Basic Industries Corp (2010.SE) were both down 1.4%.
On Wednesday, the Saudi index registered sharp gains after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom had no plans to introduce income tax and a decision last July to triple value-added tax (VAT) to 15% was temporary. read more
Middle EastMIDEAST STOCKS Banks buoy Saudi index; other major Gulf bourses dip
Ateeq Shariff
4 minutes read
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange June 25, 2014./File Photo
Saudi Arabia s stock market outperformed the region on Wednesday, boosted by gains in financial shares, while other major Gulf markets ended lower.
Saudi Arabia s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday the kingdom had no plans to introduce income tax and a decision last July to triple value-added tax to 15% was temporary. read more
The country had tripled VAT to offset the impact of lower oil revenue on state finances in a move that had shocked citizens and businesses expecting more support from the government during the coronavirus pandemic.