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
Can bitcoins save Hamas from its financial crisis? The armed wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip announced that it has started accepting donations in bitcoin in a new attempt to overcome its financial crises. Palestine
Increase in Egyptian pound's value surprises Cairo currency traders A recent strengthening of the Egyptian pound against the US dollar is likely to be followed by a weakening of the pound in the coming months, experts say. Egypt
Egypt planning Asian market bond launch to pay down debt Egypt is readying a road show to promote its international bonds in Asia, after three failed bond auctions in 2018 in European markets. Egypt
As PA tightens financial noose on Hamas, citizens will suffer Upcoming sanctions on money transfer firms in the Gaza Strip — designed by the Palestinian Authority to weaken Hamas — will ultimately harm cash-strapped families and individuals. Palestine
Iranian fintech firms carve their place in fast-changing landscape Fintech firms in Iran have overcome significant hurdles during the past year to participate in devising regulations and setting the stage to change the country’s financial landscape. Iran
US sanctions accelerate Iran’s blockchain drive Iran is accelerating work on its blockchain-enabled projects, which could potentially include a multilateral replacement for SWIFT, in light of the reimposed US sanctions. Iran
Turks cannot pay back lavish consumer debts While interest rates increase in Turkey, the country's laborers, white collar workers and retirees struggle to pay back debts or obtain new loans. Turkey
Turkey's Finance Ministry, Moody's have opposite views on economy's direction Moody's sees the Turkish economy as likely in recession, while Erdogan's son-in-law says positive results are on their way. Turkey
Why Palestinians put money in banks instead of investing The Palestinian Monetary Authority recently announced that customer deposits in local banks have reached $12.2 billion, a large amount that some economists question, given the deteriorating economy in the Palestinian territories. Palestine
Iran maneuvers to win back public trust in the rial While the Iranian rial has jumped 25% over the past week, there are major questions about whether the Central Bank of Iran will be able to sustain the upward momentum. Iran
Loans help Palestinian grads break into business world Unemployed college graduates can now benefit from a government loan program designed to integrate them into the labor market and boost the ailing Palestinian economy. Palestine
Will Egypt opt for controversial steps to fight tax evasion? Economists in Egypt are condemning statements by the head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, whereby the Ministry of Finance might be granted access to the bank accounts of some customers and companies in a bid to reduce tax evasion. Egypt
