June-July 2013

In profile: Ooredoo's Ajay Bahri

In profile: Ooredoo's Ajay Bahri

Qatari telecoms firm Ooredoo has been on a course of aggressive expansion over the past five years. Ajay Bahri, the company’s CFO, tells Rod James about the funding strategy behind this growth, future plans and the lessons he has learnt during his time at the financial helm.

Lebanon: A search for stability

Lebanon: A search for stability

Lebanon’s economy has been battered by spill-over from the Syrian civil war and volatility in the country’s own political sphere. But its banks have proved resilient as always, and are now looking overseas for new business. Tim Burke reports.

Qatar: Motoring away

Qatar: Motoring away

Qatar has claimed the title of the world’s richest country for the third straight year, leaving Luxembourg lagging in second place. Rod James looks at the factors behind the country’s growth and asks whether it is sustainable.

Egypt: On the brink

Egypt: On the brink

A toxic mix of weak growth, rising inflation, strained public finances and a rapidly declining currency has pushed Egypt to crisis point. Rod James examines how this position can be reversed and whether there will be the political stability to do it.

The EU ETS: Carbon crisis

The EU ETS: Carbon crisis

A watered-down bill to revive Europe’s ailing carbon trading scheme has been passed, but what it will do for investor confidence is uncertain, writes Rod James.