Economy & Business - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

People celebrate in Damascus' Omeyyad square after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions in Syria, on May 13, 2025

Analysis

US sanctions relief key to Syria’s recovery but hinges on global coordination

The levies include secondary sanctions targeting individuals or companies who engage with Damascus, so private sector companies will only move after a US green light.

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

Sayed Hassan/Getty Images

China expands foothold in Egypt’s Suez with $17M garment deals

China has signed more than a billion dollars' worth of deals in the Suez Canal Economic Zone this year as the waterway reels from the Red Sea crisis.

Kaja Kallas

EU greenlights lifting of all economic sanctions on Syria

The European Union and the United Kingdom had already lifted some sanctions on Syria in certain sectors including aviation, energy and media.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar Airways reports highest-ever yearly profit of $1.7B

The Gulf airline said in a statement it was the strongest financial performance in its 27-year history.

Latest News

Analysis

Trump’s Gulf trip lifts embattled Boeing with Qatar, UAE deals

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (R) sits next to US President Donald Trump as he speaks to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg (L).

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

AI chips, drones, jets: A look at Trump's $3.2 trillion megadeals during Gulf trip

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Gulf wealth funds weather US stock dip, target Amazon, Bitcoin in Q1

TOPSHOT - Kuwaiti traders follow the stock market activity at Boursa Kuwait, in Kuwait City on April 7, 2025. According to official news agencies, Kuwait's primary index fell 5.7 percent, the Qatari stock exchange was down 4.2 percent, and in Oman, the Muscat stock market closed with a 2.6-percent decline. Under Trump's policy, goods from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates will be subject to a 10-percent "baseline" tariff. The uncertainty over trade and manufacturing has helped t

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Syria inks $800M deal with UAE’s DP World to develop Tartous port: What we know

The port of the southern coastal city of Tartus, Syria, Dec. 12, 2024.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

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

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

U.S. President Donald J. Trump jokes with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al Thani as they attend a state dinner at the Lusail Palace on May 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. The visit underscores the strategic partnership between the United States and Qatar, focusing on regional security and economic collaboration.

US, Qatar's $243.5B deal includes sale of up to 210 Boeing jets: What to know

The United States and Qatar inked economic deals worth more than $243.5 billion, laying the groundwork for a bigger $1.2 trillion package of expanded investment and trade, the White House said.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

US, Saudi Arabia ink $600B economic pact amid AI, energy deals

The economic partnership agreement includes energy, mining and defense pacts, according to a White House readout.

Saudi and US flags flutter on a main road in Riyadh on May 12, 2025, hours before of a visit by US President Donald Trump to the desert kingdom this week.

Defense, energy and AI deals await Trump during Gulf visit: What to know

Trump will kick off his regional trip by participating in a Saudi-US Investment Forum meeting, while Qatar and the UAE may be eyeing more cooperation defense and technology.

US President Donald Trump (C-L) is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (C) upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport, followed by First Lady Melania Trump (R), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2017.

Trump heads to Gulf as markets surge on US-China tariff deal

China and the United States said on Monday they agreed on a deal to cut reciprocal tariffs by 110% from May 14 as they seek to end the trade war that has upended global markets.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in the Oval Office of the White House on March 20, 2018.

Analysis

Will Trump's push for Gulf investment align with regional economic realities?

During his May 13-16 trip, Trump aims to unveil trillions of dollars in Gulf investment and trade commitments in the United States.

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

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

US eases foreign investment rules days before Trump Gulf visit: What to know

Gulf states are estimated to manage 40% of the world’s sovereign wealth and are some of the biggest investors in the United States.

Khaldoun al-Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mubadala Investment Company, speaks at a panel session during the World Government Summit in Dubai on February 12, 2024. (Photo by RYAN LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Mubadala investments soar by 33% as UAE deepens AI ties with US

Mubadala made 119 billion Emirati dirhams ($32.4 billion) worth of investments in 2024, up 33.7% from the previous year, according to a Thursday statement from the UAE fund.

United Arab Emirates

Pakistan flights

Mideast airlines suspend Pakistan flights following Indian strikes

Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours starting early Wednesday following Indian airstrikes on several locations that left at least 15 people dead.

United Arab Emirates

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in the Cross Hall of the White House to deliver remarks during an event on "Investing in America" on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC

Wall Street, Silicon Valley executives to join Trump in Saudi Arabia as US courts Gulf funds

US President Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on May 13-15 in his first foreign visit since returning to the White House for his second term in January.

Nodding donkey rig pumping crude oil up from the ground of an oil field in the desert.

Goldman Sachs lowers oil forecast after OPEC+ boosts production: What to know

Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC+ announced another major production increase, sending oil prices below $60 a barrel.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

OPEC+ moves up meeting as oil prices continue to drop: What to know

Saudi Arabia has signaled it is willing to live with lower oil prices as US President Donald Trump calls for more production.

Sheikha Mayes Al-Thani speaks at inaugural USQBC-SelectUSA event in Washington, DC, February 25, 2024.

Interview

Qatar’s digital future offers opportunities in AI, energy, says head of US-Qatar Business Council

Talent, not just capital, is key to sustainable growth, says Sheikha Mayes Al Thani.

Sheikha Mayes Al Thani

Sheikha Mayes Al Thani

Managing Director, US-Qatar Business Council