Economy and trade

Venezuela

Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro’s ouster: What to know

Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country’s oil revenues.

An Egyptian vendor fills dates for a customer at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district on Feb. 12, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

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.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Several trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross the border between Armenia and Turkey at the village of Margara, Armenia, on March 21, 2025.

Exclusive

Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push

New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Fahad

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.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy, in Savelletri, on June 14, 2024.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets

Participants visit the Token 2049 crypto conference in Dubai on May 1, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China

Merz

Gulf markets recover after gold rout, buoyed by Iran de-escalation hopes

A woman checks a window shop at a jewelry store in Dubai, on March 10, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Netanyahu’s new government will set Israel back, tech leaders warn

Mass letters to Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu are warning that the legislation his coalition partners are currently advancing will harm Israel’s flourishing tech industry and beyond.

Israelis who were allowed to enter an arena after showing proof of being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus attend a "Green Pass" concert for vaccinated seniors, organized by the municipality of Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 24, 2021.

Israel uneasy with deal granting UAE control over pensions

Israeli experts warn against the deal, which will have Abu Dhabi government-backed ADQ Developmental Holding Company purchasing a 25% controlling part of Israel’s Phoenix insurance company.

Jordanian protesters wave national flags and shout slogans during an anti-austerity rally, in front of the Labor Union offices, Amman, Jordan, June 6, 2018.

Jordanian officer killed as protests over fuel prices spread

The killing of the officer comes after governmental measures failed to stop a strike staged by lorry and public transport drivers in different Jordanian regions following the protesters’ insistence on a reduction in fuel prices

A man walks past the World Bank building in Washington on April 21, 2022.

World Bank says debt increasing in Middle East countries

Egypt, Iran and Turkey’s debt rose significantly last year.

Two firms from the United Arab Emirates have signed a $6 billion deal with Sudan to construct a new port on the Red Sea coast.

UAE's Ports Group expands footprint in Sudan

The agreement allows the Abu Dhabi-based logistics giant to operate ports in Sudan and will contribute to the UAE’s growing influence on the African continent.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaks during a press conference with his Sudanese and Ethiopian counterparts, on the sidelines of meetings to announce they had reached an agreement on the sharing of Nile waters and Ethiopia's dam project, Khartoum, Sudan, March 6, 2015.

Egypt’s trade with Nile Basin countries jumps amid Ethiopia dam crisis

Cairo’s exports and imports with the region increased substantially in 2021, but they still represent a small portion of the total and growth remains uneven.

US President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with African Union President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi as French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen look on at the start of the G-20 Summit, Rome, Italy, Oct. 30, 2021.

Biden rebooting relations with Africa at summit, ahead of 2023 visit

Countries in the region have received little attention from US officials in the run-up to the meeting, as Washington neglected the continent and is lagging in its influence compared to Russia and China.

A nurse shows a vial of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus at a hospital at the start of a vaccination program, Tunis, Tunisia, March 13, 2021.

Drug shortage adds to Tunisia’s woes

In light of the successive crises facing Tunisians, pharmacies across the country are suffering drug shortages, which the authorities are unable to resolve.

US President Joe Biden (L) speaks with DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi at the start of the G20 Summit at the convention center "La Nuvola" in the EUR district of Rome on October 30, 2021. (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Africa seeks GCC-like economic trust at US summit

Since the United States' last summit of its kind in 2014, US foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa dropped from $69 billion to $44.81 billion in 2021.

By Salim A. Essaid

A picture shows a view of the SEAEAGLE, a vessel which reportedly left Ukraine with a cargo of wheat, anchored in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, on September 9, 2022. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE-Ukraine trade deal would shore up Middle East food security

The goal is to ultimately secure "all aspects of the international food production supply chain."

A Lebanese national flag flies at half-mast in tribute to victims of a massive explosion in Beirut at the Lebanese embassy in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 5, 2020.

Lebanese expatriates face high passport fees

Many Lebanese expatriates abroad complain about the high fees of renewing passports.

Egyptians watch the 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Egypt and Algeria, at a cafe in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 18, 2009.

Culture

Egyptian cafes see higher revenues during World Cup

The World Cup in Qatar has boosted revenues of Egyptian cafes, as many supporters flock there to watch the games, due to the increasing subscription of beIN Sports channel.