Economy InternationalEconomy Internationalen245D0D73-9B62-4620-AB50-F9813F887094https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/imf-middle-east-war-will-lead-to-higher-inflation-slower-global-growthWashington, April 7 (QNA) – Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva said that the war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 22:05:28 ZD35582D6-F0DB-439D-8079-CE4077BE52BBhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/china-australia-agree-to-expand-bilateral-tradeBeijing, April 7 (QNA) – China expressed its readiness to work with Australia to expand and upgrade bilateral trade, support companies from both countries in establishing cooperation based on market principles, and promote mutual benefit and win-win results.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 21:03:56 ZA7529685-A217-4AD6-B325-A635762069F8https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/oil-prices-dip-slightly-in-futures-contracts-ahead-of-us-presidents-iran-deadlineLondon, April 7 (QNA) - Brent crude futures fell on Tuesday, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose, heading for its highest settlement level since 2022, ahead of the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on power plants and other infrastructure.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 21:03:46 Z4865F67F-FF8D-4EC2-8B03-D0A86666FEC7https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/us-stock-indices-open-mixedNew York, April 7 (QNA) - Major US stock indices opened mixed Tuesday on Wall Street.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 20:14:50 Z110067AF-AD23-4201-B612-CAFB7E21B88Chttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/european-stocks-close-slightly-lowerBrussels, April 7 (QNA) - European stocks closed slightly lower Tuesday.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 20:09:14 ZD5335B9C-B823-48C5-A3BC-D525D403DDFEhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/oil-prices-rise-as-us-crude-gains-over-2New York, April 07 (QNA) - The main US oil contract rose by more than 2% on Tuesday, reflecting an uptick in global energy markets.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 16:43:55 Z68506797-78B3-49A4-8E62-250048A7D963https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/france-private-sector-contracts-at-fastest-pace-since-octoberParis, April 07 (QNA) - France's private sector activity contracted in March at its fastest pace since October, weighed down by weak demand and rising cost pressures linked to the war in the Middle East, a survey showed on Tuesday.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 16:34:44 ZC14188BF-22ED-4AAA-9179-851B22DA300Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/germanys-fuel-prices-hit-record-high-despite-pricing-ruleBerlin, April 07 (QNA) - Fuel prices in Germany continued to rise despite the implementation of a new pricing rule, with diesel reaching record highs for a sixth consecutive day, according to data released on Tuesday.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 16:29:34 ZF7991133-AA05-4452-A2F2-FC2CD96D0BABhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/japan-passes-record-767-billion-budget-to-support-economyTokyo, April 07 (QNA) - Japan's parliament on Tuesday approved a record JPY 122.31 trillion ($767 billion) budget for the fiscal year through March, in a first in 11 years that the annual spending plan was not enacted before the April 1 start of the fiscal year.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 14:40:51 Z8D0AEDE1-A1E5-40C9-8611-32B91D008281https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/euro-zone-growth-slows-to-nine-month-lowLondon, April 07 (QNA) - Private sector growth in the euro zone slowed sharply in March, as the war in West Asia drove up energy costs and disrupted supply chains, while overall demand - a key indicator of the economy's health, fell for the first time in eight months, according to a survey published on Tuesday.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 13:06:44 Z87B47E51-17F0-482C-9990-DEA9EB96CDE1https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/dollar-steadies-near-recent-highsSingapore, April 07 (QNA) - The dollar held near its recent highs on Tuesday, as traders await market moves. The yen fell to 159.80 per dollar, a level close to its lowest in several decades and to levels that prompted government intervention in 2024.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 12:34:42 Z072ED8E7-2074-4AB5-B8E2-9F99EA66E62Chttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/nikkei-ends-steady-amid-mixed-stocksTokyo, April 07 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei index was steady at the end of trading on Tuesday, with mixed stock performance between gains and losses.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 12:32:02 Z564AC3CE-C466-4164-8902-6CF5593C6030https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/european-stocks-open-slightly-higherBrussels, April 07 (QNA) - European stock markets opened slightly higher on Tuesday, amid continued increases in oil prices.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 12:06:03 Z8B83D9E1-A21B-43F0-A727-DB5EEF36D63Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/oil-prices-continue-to-riseSingapore, April 07 (QNA) Oil prices continued to rise as trading sessions opened in Asian markets Tuesday.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 09:19:54 Z0593341F-4742-41AF-B011-42765F6127FAhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/gold-prices-stabilize-amid-anticipation-of-global-market-movementsSingapore, April 07 (QNA) - Gold prices stabilized on Tuesday as investors remained cautious amid anticipation of global market movements.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:31:24 Z6A38714F-6ADC-43D8-BC72-614AAF03F86Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/us-stock-indexes-close-higherNew York, April 07 (QNA) - Major US stock indexes closed higher on Wall Street today.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 06:41:17 ZA1CD1CAF-E5E1-41B0-A2AB-775051D3649Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/7/dollar-steadies-on-hopes-of-middle-east-de-escalationTokyo, April 07 (QNA) - The US dollar held steady on Monday as the Japanese yen hovered near the critical 160-per-dollar mark, buoyed by hopes for an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Tue, 7 Apr 2026 02:56:34 ZA53E81D3-9DA6-4CC7-B8DD-EBE319ADFB7Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/6/us-stock-indices-open-mixedNew York, April 6 (QNA) - Major US stock indices opened mixed on Wall Street Monday.Mon, 6 Apr 2026 19:39:31 Z941BE6CD-0F8C-4CFC-9D17-ADD0FAD1321Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/6/japans-nikkei-rises-on-us-iran-deal-hopesTokyo, April 06 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei index rose at closing time on Monday, amid hopes of a possible easing in the intensity of the war in West Asia.Mon, 6 Apr 2026 12:15:31 Z0F911A3A-5BC6-4CDD-B45E-9C5835E30F1Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/6/s-koreas-national-debt-surpasses-8612-billion-in-2025Seoul, April 06 (QNA) - South Korea's national debt exceeded 1.3 trillion won ($861.2 billion) last year, with the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio nearing 50 percent, the Korean finance ministry said Monday.Mon, 6 Apr 2026 10:35:44 ZF3B479EE-F313-418A-9474-1C38BF0BC79Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/6/gold-prices-fall-as-hopes-for-interest-rate-cuts-fadeSingapore, April 06 (QNA) - Gold prices fell Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar and fading hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, as well as rising oil prices amid concerns about a prolonged Iran war and stronger-than-expected US jobs data.Mon, 6 Apr 2026 08:49:38 Z7EC4B7D9-D298-4DE0-9E8E-B2166B65E99Fhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/6/oil-prices-rise-by-around-2Singapore, April 06 (QNA) - Oil prices rose at the start of trading today, amid the ongoing war in the Middle East and its impact on global energy supplies.Mon, 6 Apr 2026 05:07:18 Z1F79C52C-FF68-48BA-BD87-F4D34A0BD172https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/5/opec-approves-206000-bpd-output-hikeVienna, April 05 (QNA) - The eight member countries of the OPEC+ group, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, approved an adjustment in production levels, increasing output by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the total voluntary additional adjustments of 1.65 million bpd announced in April 2023. This adjustment is scheduled to take effect in May 2026.Sun, 5 Apr 2026 19:37:26 Z695FB968-9310-442E-94A8-2AFCE2FFAC86https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/5/officials-experts-to-qna-qatar-reaps-benefits-of-economic-diversification-in-food-security-crisis-resilienceDoha, April 05 (QNA) - Officials, economists, and businessmen said the country's food security rests on an integrated framework of plans that enable flexibility and efficiency in responding to shocks. They noted the State of Qatar has successfully mitigated the impact of geopolitical tensions linked to the war on Iran and resulting disruptions in commodity and food markets.Sun, 5 Apr 2026 10:47:11 ZC29BA7FF-E9F5-4052-A585-6FCBBB3C9F8Chttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/4/japan-firms-suspend-new-power-contracts-for-businesses-amid-energy-pressuresTokyo, April 4 (QNA) - Several Japanese energy companies have temporarily suspended new electricity supply contracts for corporate clients as they grapple with global energy market pressures linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.Sat, 4 Apr 2026 09:04:42 ZBAD45A8E-B5B1-4263-A9C2-41B8C68313BFhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/4/us-jobs-growth-bounces-back-in-march-unemployment-down-to-43Washington, April 04 (QNA) - The US economy recorded stronger-than-expected job growth in March, contributing to a 0.1 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate to 4.3%.Sat, 4 Apr 2026 06:44:20 Z2BB2F614-4A00-43A5-8F21-D638A357D64Fhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/4/france-announces-emergency-fuel-loans-program-for-smesParis, April 04 (QNA) - The French government announced the launch of an emergency loan program to support small and medium-sized enterprises affected by rising fuel prices due to the escalation in the Middle East.Sat, 4 Apr 2026 06:18:05 Z084006D6-F9E5-419C-A860-DBC649264248https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/4/koreas-food-exports-grow-4-in-q1-of-2026Seoul, April 4 (QNA) - South Korea’s exports of agricultural and food products increased by 4% year-on-year during the first quarter of this year.Sat, 4 Apr 2026 04:37:21 ZA5573084-3DC9-42E4-81D7-28D5FE118E7Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/3/turkish-economists-to-qna-rising-energy-prices-deepen-economic-strain-in-turkiyeIstanbul, April 03 (QNA) - Turkiye's economy is facing mounting pressure from persistently high global energy prices, as the country relies heavily on imports of oil and gas to meet domestic demand.Fri, 3 Apr 2026 18:27:05 ZAF27D5D4-41B2-49C3-9DB7-CEFEFD88B27Ehttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/3/global-food-prices-reach-highest-level-since-december-2025Rome, April 03 (QNA) - Global food prices rose in March to their highest level since December 2025, marking the second consecutive monthly increase.Fri, 3 Apr 2026 12:49:54 ZCFDADF43-A555-48BC-9D5E-4DA960DFCDFChttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/3/us-stocks-close-mixedNew York, April 03 (QNA) - US stock indices closed Thursday mixed.Fri, 3 Apr 2026 03:03:33 Z0E336266-F801-4C28-8211-0DB711C095AFhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/oil-prices-surge-on-middle-east-supply-concernsNew York, April 02 (QNA) - Oil prices have risen sharply at settlement, amid concerns over potential supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 23:54:09 Z579FF969-E276-4538-9B27-06CDB8DF06CBhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/gold-prices-fall-above-2-percentNew York, April 2 (QNA) - Gold prices fell Thursday amid a stronger dollar and rising oil prices.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 23:01:19 Z8BC00E61-C21C-4242-8533-58C2AF1C8106https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/european-stock-indices-close-mixedBrussels, April 2 (QNA) - European stock indices closed mixed Thursday, amid concerns about the repercussions of the military escalation between the US and Iran and its impact on global markets.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 21:51:42 Z6A1A7BC7-0476-4BDD-84B8-762B817A79B2https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/european-stock-prices-decline-at-start-of-tradingBrussels, April 02 (QNA) - European stock markets opened lower on Thursday following a more hawkish-than-expected speech by US President Donald Trump, which dampened market hopes for a swift end to the war in the Middle East.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 11:26:14 Z16B04A5A-F72C-4B01-ABB6-8766677390DEhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/oil-jumps-nearly-7-after-trumps-statements-on-iranSingapore, April 02 (QNA) - Oil prices climbed nearly 7% on Thursday, as President Donald Trump said the United States would keep up attacks on Iran without committing to a specific timeline to end the war, fanning investor fears about sustained disruptions to supply.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 11:14:34 Z477656B6-2B27-408D-BD2F-4B7CDB49261Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/japans-nikkei-reverses-gainsTokyo, April 02 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei share average fell more than 2% on Thursday, reversing earlier gains as hopes for a quick end to the Middle East conflict faded.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 11:13:56 Z1CE27C60-ED1C-414D-B1B0-A88DD58C7F94https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/south-korea-consumer-prices-rise-22-in-march-on-higher-oil-costsSeoul, April 02 (QNA) - South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent year-on-year in March, driven by rising global oil prices due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Thu, 2 Apr 2026 09:49:30 Z4F14BFDC-C88F-4F2A-97A4-DBED7D3E47C3https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/s-korea-secures-alternative-oil-supplies-for-april-amid-closure-of-hormuz-straitSeoul, April 02 (QNA) - South Korea has secured around 50 million barrels of alternative oil supplies for this month to replace supplies from the Middle East blocked due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, government officials said Thursday.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 09:36:57 Z021B27B9-E38B-4DED-84A7-1303B5691BC3https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/gold-drops-after-trump-says-us-to-continue-iran-warSingapore, April 02 (QNA) - Gold prices reversed their course on Thursday, dropping more than 1%, ending a four-day streak of gains, after US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will continue its war against Iran in the coming weeks.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 08:13:13 ZA2BBE697-9584-4345-9ACB-E4303EB48BB7https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/us-dollar-up-as-hopes-for-middle-east-peace-agreement-fadesSingapore, April 02 (QNA) - The US dollar rose against major currencies on Thursday, reversing  two days of losses after US President Donald Trump's speech on Iran dashed hopes for a near-term ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, exacerbating market turmoil and investor anxiety.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 08:12:55 Z374EA234-9306-4C8F-AE5B-B0E1F780B7F7https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/oil-prices-jump-more-than-4-after-trump-speechBeijing, April 02 (QNA) - Oil prices jumped by more than four dollars during early trading today, following US President Donald Trump's address made by, in which he confirmed that strikes on Iran would continue.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 05:42:44 Z406D07A3-A1B9-4856-8AF1-994915D2DD9Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/germany-faces-lower-growth-prospects-in-2026-and-2027-institutes-sayBerlin, April 2 (QNA) - German institutes lowered the country's growth expectations for 2026 and 2027, in light of the repercussions of the energy price shock linked to developments in the Middle East.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 05:21:15 Z286DBD43-6622-4218-AB4E-EFC620F721CDhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/2/us-stocks-end-wednesday-trading-higherNew York, April 02 (QNA) - The main indices on Wall Street closed higher at the end of trading on Wednesday.Thu, 2 Apr 2026 03:36:49 Z049BF016-9B43-4BDA-B306-AD78EA2F6D19https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/european-stocks-rise-above-2-percentBrussels, April 01 (QNA) – European stocks continued their upward trend Wednesday, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index recording its biggest three-day gain in nearly a year.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 23:05:36 ZA5427E95-2D5B-4B87-A102-6235570757E9https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/gold-rises-above-2-percent-in-spot-tradingNew York, April 01 (QNA) - Gold prices continued their upward trend for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as the dollar weakened amid renewed cautious hopes for a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 22:44:50 ZE53D2DD1-E237-4C70-898D-27931EECFBCBhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/food-prices-in-britain-expected-to-rise-by-9-by-end-of-2026London, April 01 (QNA) – Official data predicts that food price inflation in Britain will reach 9 percent this year, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens in the coming weeks, due to rising energy prices resulting from the conflict in Iran.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 22:36:25 ZF1E34FAF-36DE-4E27-8706-96C0588A45C0https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/european-stocks-close-higherBrussels, April 01 (QNA) - European stock indices rose at the start of trading on Wednesday, after remarks by US President Donald Trump in which he hinted at the possibility of the US-Israeli war on Iran ending within two to three weeks.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 14:39:10 Z4706E451-3D5E-46B0-99E0-F357B26EB35Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/dollar-steady-as-hopes-rise-for-ceasefire-in-west-asiaTokyo, April 01 (QNA) - The dollar was largely steady on Wednesday as cautious optimism grew among investors about the prospects of a ceasefire in West Asia conflict, but mixed signals kept markets on edge.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 11:44:11 Z9B45EAA0-50C1-4C7A-B422-201489AEBD67https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-4/1/kuwaiti-oil-price-rises-745-to-12062-per-barrelKuwait, April 01 (QNA) Kuwait's crude oil price surged by $7.45 to $120.62 per barrel in Wednesday's trading, up from $113.17 per barrel the previous session, according to data released by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.Wed, 1 Apr 2026 09:31:01 Z