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Economy & Business

Saudi Arabia football supporters wave flags

China-Saudi consortium wins $306M World Cup stadium deal: What to know

The project is a vote of confidence to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, despite an uptick in attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the kingdom in recent weeks.

The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the emirate of Sharjah east of the UAE, on Oct. 13, 2026.

Gulf oil exports surpass prewar levels despite escalating tanker attacks

According to data from Kpler, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes across the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, surpassing prewar levels of 23.3 million.

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

Benoit Tessier / AFP via Getty Images

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.

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Explainer

Indonesia first foreign country to own property in Saudi Arabia's Mecca

Vehicles move along a main street in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on Sept. 16, 2026.

Saudi Arabia postpones 'Davos in the Desert' until 2027 amid Houthi attacks

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege?

shoppers walking through the Tajrish Bazaar, a traditional market in Tehran

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock?

A vessel transits the Gulf of Oman

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

A man rows a stand-up paddle flying an Israeli flag near a sailing boat and a yacht in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Tel Aviv on April 26, 2023, as Israel marks Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut), 75 years since the establishment of the Jewish state. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel advances EastMed undersea electricity cable connecting with Europe

In Paris meetings with international bodies, Energy Minister Israel Katz is promoting Israel's plans for a subsea electricity cable that would connect to other countries in the region and Europe.

Passengers traveling from one of the countries on the "red list" are escorted through the arrivals area of terminal 5 of Heathrow airport and onto a waiting coach, on Feb. 16, 2021 in London, England.

UK introduces $13 online visas for GCC, Jordanian nationals

Gulf nationals previously paid £30 ($37.63) per visit to the UK, while Jordanians paid £100 ($125.42) for a visit visa.

MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

MBS holds call with Putin, talks oil prices as Blinken visits Saudi Arabia

The IMF projected that Saudi Arabia’s economic growth will slow to 2.1% in 2023 from its 3.1% forecast in May, after the kingdom cut more oil production on Sunday.

Activists for the independence of the Western Sahara wave flags and banners reading "Sahara: Only Pace!" during an annual protest organised by the state coordinator of associations of solidarity with the Sahara in Madrid on November 11, 2016 marking the 4th anniversary of the tripartite Madrid agreements demonstrators deem illegal. - The Western Sahara is a territory bordered by Morocco and Algeria and disputed by Spain and Morocco who both claiming sovereignty. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo by GERA

Analysis

One year on, Algeria-Spain blockade shows little sign of easing

Since Algeria imposed trade sanctions on Spain on June 8, 2022, both economies have lost out on billions of dollars in business.

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

Cars queue before embarking on ferries bound for Tangier at the Algeciras port on July 27, 2019. - Thousands of Moroccan nationals working and living in Europe pass through the Strait of Gibraltar as they return to spend summer holidays in Morocco. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco to accelerate transition to EV manufacturing

The long-term prospects for auto manufacturing in the country will hinge on an effective transition into the manufacturing of electric cars.

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

A Saudi fan holds a scarf with portraits of King Salman (L) and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Analysis

What MBS' latest sports reforms mean for soccer in Saudi Arabia

Talk of privatization of the sports sector is nothing new in the kingdom, but experts believe the changes might help the Saudi Pro League lure in more big names.

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

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s plunging lira could herald economic turnaround

The Turkish lira’s record low could signal a return to the free market and all eyes are on the central bank’s monetary policy meeting on June 22.

Gaza economy

Delay in cashing Qatari aid slows Gaza economy

The delay in disbursing monthly aid to the Gaza Strip population is weighing on the economy, since the payments represent the sole source of income to some 100,000 families.

GettyImages-1252536130

Middle East airlines expected to rebound from pandemic by 2024: IATA

The industry body, which represents some 300 airlines, expects air traffic to double in the Middle East to 550 million annual passengers by 2040.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Saudi-backed LIV Golf merges with US rival PGA Tour

The shocking news settles the legal battles between the two and follows significant tensions surrounding the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s foray into golf.

Kandahar IMDB

Saudi Arabia’s film industry ready to boom, but won’t lack drama

Saudi Arabia and its immense financial firepower are poised to play a disruptive role in film and TV production.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Turkish bazaar

Inflation in Turkey drops below 40% in May as Erdogan forms economic team

As Turkey’s annual inflation eases further in May, eyes are on the policies the reelected president's new economic team will pursue with Mehmet Simsek at the helm.