GCC countries scored 66.9 in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, beating the global 59.9 average as the UAE, Qatar and Oman led the bloc overall.

UAE and French foreign ministers met in Abu Dhabi to review bilateral ties and regional developments as Gulf security concerns stay elevated.

CBUAE kept the UAE base rate at 3.65% after the Federal Reserve held rates steady, leaving the overnight liquidity framework unchanged.

South Korea major retailers posted a 5.6% March sales gain, with online channels taking a bigger share of consumer spending in the country.

UAE and Mauritania held Abu Dhabi talks on bilateral cooperation, renewable energy, maritime security and broader regional developments.