This week on MME

The U.S. relationship with Middle East Sovereign Wealth Funds
Middle East Sovereign Wealth Funds are hitting the headlines this week as U.S. President George W. Bush tours the region.

Many of the funds flush with plenty of oil cash are ready to buy a stake in major U.S. companies such as Merrill Lynch and Citigroup.

A year ago many people hadn't heard of names like the Qatar Investment Authority, Dubai International Capital and Kuwait Investment Authority, but after the credit crunch, their names are entering the common vocabulary and their influence is likely to grow and grow. MME looks into these sovereign wealth funds.

"Face Time" with Youssef Boutros Ghali
As George Bush's tour of the Middle East comes to a close in Egypt this week, and business ties between the U.S. and the Middle East look as strong as ever, Marketplace Middle East talks to Egypt's Finance Minister.

A key reformer in Egypt, Youssef Boutros Ghali speaks to MME about privatization, the flexible economy and how he believes that reform in Egypt needs to come from the ground up.

• MME will also talk with Bassem L. Awadallah, the Director of King Abdullah of Jordan's Office

Watch the show this week at the times (GMT) below:
Friday: 09:15, 20:45
Saturday: 06:45
Sunday: 08:15 E-mail to a friend