Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Saudi Arabia postpones 'Davos in the Desert' until 2027 amid Houthi attacks The Future Investment Initiative, which typically attracts the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in business, finance, and technology to Riyadh, will now be held next year. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria Iraq and Syria are expanding trade and energy cooperation, but security risks, economic challenges and longstanding mistrust raise questions about whether their growing partnership can endure. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Syria to rejoin Arab group at IMF, leaving Russian-led constituency Syria will rejoin the Arab constituency at the International Monetary Fund beginning Nov. 1 and has applied for membership in the EBRD. Syria
The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter. Iran
Crisis-hit Turkey suffers erosion in investments Turkey’s economic downturn has been marked by a dramatic decline in investments, both private and public, bearing heavily on joblessness. Turkey
Video game exec encourages independent developers in Mideast Hussam Al-Natour, founder of Rababa Gaming, describes the challenges and potential of the Mideast’s video game industry. Jordan
Egypt’s rate cut to boost property, gold and stock markets Egypt’s central bank recently slashed key interest rates by 1.5%, triggering public concerns about a possible depreciation of the local currency. Egypt
Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties? While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal. Israel
How Jordan handled fuming crisis over cigarettes Residents of the border city of Ramtha in the north of Jordan have protested recently against new government measures to curb smuggling, which would further add to their economic burdens. Jordan
Palestinian, Israeli economies intertwined A tour of the West Bank city of Bethlehem makes it clear that the Palestinian and Israeli economies are intertwined. Palestine
Cash-strapped Jordan imposes new taxes; public anger ensues Economists suggest the Jordanian government should cut its own expenses and those of its staff instead of imposing taxes that add to the people’s economic burden. Jordan
Egypt seeks to increase exports to Africa Despite figures indicating an increase in the Egyptian exports to Africa, there still seem to be several obstacles facing Egyptian exports to the continent. Egypt
Iran plans revamp of national currency The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact. Iran
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. Palestine
Russia ready to fund Palestinian industrial zone Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of establishing an industrial zone in Nablus in light of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to promote its local economy and disengage from Israel. Palestine
