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Economy & Business

Pictured in this undated image is the Al-Thawra oil field in Raqqa governorate, as rehabilitation works continue to restore production capacity.

Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know

Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict.

Guests stand at the Aramco booth during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 3, 2025.

Aramco profits jump 26% as Hormuz disruption chokes supply

Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said the market has already lost around 1 billion barrels of oil supply since the US-Israel-Iran war erupted on Feb. 28.

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

Kaja Kallas

EU restores economic pact to pursue fuller trade ties with Syria

The move marks a major economic step for Syria's recovery after its 13-year civil war and the fall of the Assad regime.

CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images

China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know

Cargo rail traffic between China and Iran has reportedly surged since the US blockade began in April as Tehran seeks overland trade alternatives to help buy time.

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What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

Egypt ramps up energy investments amid war-driven price pressures

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks in Beirut on Dec. 19, 2025.

Few ships pass Hormuz despite US efforts to break Iran's hold

Tankers are seen at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz on June 23, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Stock market brokers work at the Egyptian Stock Market in the capital Cairo on January 6, 2013. A top International Monetary Fund official will visit Egypt on January 7, for talks likely to focus on the $4.8 billion loan agreement frozen last month because of political unrest in the country. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pound devaluation, IMF deal send Egypt’s stock market soaring

PRO: Egypt's stock market has started 2023 as one of the world’s best-performing exchanges. Here's what it will take to maintain that momentum.

Marc Español

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar's energy giant cements Lebanon deal, substituting Russia

The Qatari firm officially took over the stake previously held by a Russian company.

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Russia sign bank messaging agreement to override SWIFT

Both countries are banned from the SWIFT financial messaging system due to US and European sanctions.

People walk past a fruit seller's stall in the Azhar district of Cairo

In Egypt, economic heat of Russia's war in Ukraine is only getting worse

Average Egyptians told Al-Monitor that everything from the price of tomatoes to bread is taking a toll on daily life and household decisions as country's economy reels under the heavy toll of the war in Ukraine.

Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA: A Saudi banker displays the new one hundred riyal banknote bearing the portrait of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud at a bank in Riyadh, 05 June 2007. The banknotes featuring the king are the fifth issue released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). AFP PHOTO/HASSAN AMMAR (Photo credit should read HASSAN AMMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf governments enjoy fiscal flexibility; must spend wisely over coming years

Pro: With lower energy prices forecasted in the short-term, GCC governments will have to spend smartly to ensure momentum continues for their economic diversification efforts.

Robert Mogielnicki

Robert Mogielnicki

SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt's Sisi meets Modi, inks 'strategic partnership' on landmark India visit

The trip could lead to greater cooperation between India and Egypt on trade, the Suez Canal, green hydrogen and more.

The Ritz hotel is pictured in central London on May 18, 2020.

Saudi Arabia leads Middle East's luxury property buyers in London

The Middle East made up some of the top buyers of London luxury real estate in late 2022, only falling behind European and UK buyers.

By Salim A. Essaid

Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Emir of Qatar, departs after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery on May 20, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Qatar's energy giant joins Lebanon gas exploration group

France’s TotalEnergies, which is also part of the consortium, said they hope to start drilling in Lebanese waters for oil and gas in 2023.

A Tunisian farmer harvests wheat on June 26, 2008 in the Mateur area near the northern Tunisian city of Bizerte. A two-day conference organized by the African Development Bank (BAD) opened on June 25, 2008 in Tunis to boost agriculture in light of the food crisis hitting Africa. Experts are to evaluate and analyze difficulties affecting the African agricultural sector in order to be more reactive to needs. AFP PHOTO FETHI BELAID (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Tunisia’s food crisis will worsen without an IMF deal

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Baghdad dinar protest

Protests in Iraq amid local currency devaluation, Central Bank changes

Restrictions from the US Federal Reserve, corruption, and Iraq’s lack of an electronic banking system have all led to the dinar’s recent fall in value against the dollar.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (R) shakes hands with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (L)

South Korea’s Samsung to help Saudi Public Investment Fund with construction projects

Saudi Aramco has also strengthened its ties to South Korean companies recently.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Cruise ship terminal opens in Jordan’s port of Aqaba

The agreement with Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group could help bolster Jordan’s tourism sector.