Canada becomes latest Western country to lift Syria sanctions: What to know Like the US, Canada had strained relations with Syria during the civil war but is now showing signs of engagement. Syria
Analysis Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags The leadership change comes as slowing megaprojects and weak foreign inflows expose gaps in the kingdom’s ambitious economic overhaul. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon to seek IMF assistance to help with economic crisis The prime minister said Lebanon would seek $10 billion in loans from the international financial institution after passing a reform bill. Lebanon
Israel’s largest bank admits to helping taxpayers use offshore accounts, facilitating FIFA conspiracy Bank Hapoalim agrees to pay the United States more than $900 million in connection with the two cases. Israel
Oman’s sovereign wealth fund under pressure Ahead of the prospect of a high budget deficit in 2020, assets held by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) plunged by about a third to $14.3 billion. Oman
Banks can't save Gulf economies Because of the way they are set up, GCC banks will have a hard time providing the funds that could help jump-start regional economies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey offers fresh money to companies, seeks donations for the poor amid coronavirus crisis While enhancing monetary expansion measures to prop up companies and banks against the coronavirus crisis, Ankara is calling for donations from the public to support the poor. Turkey
Tehran stock market could remain strong despite Iran's economic downturn Now might be a good time to list companies on Tehran’s booming stock exchange. Iran
Egypt to offer investors shares in military-run companies Egypt’s Sovereign Fund is assessing military-run companies in a bid to open them up to domestic and foreign investors. Egypt
Egypt seeks economic haven from coronavirus threat The Central Bank of Egypt is taking steps to protect the country's economy as it weathers the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Ankara’s economic measures bring little relief against virus crisis The embattled Turkish lira has continued to nosedive and Turkey’s risk premium has climbed to new highs despite a package of government measures to stem the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Turkey
Lebanon struggles to cope with COVID-19 amid financial crisis As Lebanon reels under the brunt of the worst financial crisis in its recent history, the government struggles to provide the necessary equipment to be able to cater for a potential increase in novel coronavirus cases. Lebanon
What impact will Lebanon’s looming debt crisis have on its society and economy? Lebanon’s government is still negotiating the issue of Eurobonds maturing next week, with analysts saying that whatever the steps, Lebanon will face an even more agonizing economic downturn. Lebanon
Debt ordeal hovers over Turkey’s ‘megaproject’ builders Companies involved in Turkey’s “megaprojects” have incurred some of the worst damage that the slump of the Turkish lira caused on foreign loan liabilities in the private sector. Turkey
