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

Business and Economy Cover Image

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.

Latest News

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 view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on August 29, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel gears up to begin natural gas exports to Europe

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Hassan Abdallah Egypt Central Bank Governor

Egypt’s debt crisis impacts other African credits, Goldman Sachs warns

As bond yields rise in Egypt, so have yields for sovereign bonds for Angola, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) walks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of a meeting in New Delhi on January 25, 2017. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on an official visit to India and will be the guest of honour at the country's forthcoming Republic Day celebrations. / AFP / Money SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

US, India, UAE, Israel announce creation of I2U2 joint business coalition

The new coalition will see officials and business councils from the four countries collaborate to attract private sector partners to the I2U2 initiative.

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial (L) competes for the ball in the Forest goalmouth during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on April 16, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP) /

Qatar's Sheikh Jassim still confident in Manchester United takeover bid

The son of a former Qatari emir is reportedly still assured that his debt-free bid to take over the soccer club will succeed, despite an ESPN report suggesting that the current owners, the Glazer brothers, will now stay put.

A Tunisian shepherd herds his sheep near the dry reservoir bed of El-Haouareb dam, located near Kairouan, some 100 miles south of Tunis, Tunisia, July 13, 2017.

Tunisia faces water cuts amid severe drought, public frustration

The drought-hit North African country is imposing water rationing at night for the first time in its fourth dry year, which may increase social tension as Tunisians struggle with high inflation and a weak economy.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) inspects an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony held outside the Great Hall of the People on April 14, 2023 in Beijing, China.

Brazil signs $12.65 billion in deals with UAE, China amid struggling economy

Brazil signed agreements worth $2.53 billion with the UAE and $10.12 billion with China.

Farmers spray grapevines at a vineyard in Souidania town, 15 Km west of the Algerian capital, on May 16, 2022. (Photo by RYAD KRAMDI / AFP) (Photo by RYAD KRAMDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Agriculture, mining and industry offer clearest path for Algeria's economic diversification

In a bid to diversify its economic revenue sources, Algeria has been attempting to raise domestic and foreign investment in non-energy sectors.

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Dubai skyline

UAE's advanced logistics industry makes it well placed to export to Africa

The CEO of the UAE Trade Center said that the Emirates was a good trading partner for countries like Kenya and Ghana.

Qatar’s takeover of Manchester United unlikely as Glazers plan to stay put: report

An ESPN report suggests that current owners may want to hold onto the club and try and double its value.

Saudi Aramco

Saudi Arabia boosts sovereign fund with 4% Aramco transfer

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the completion of a 4% transfer of Saudi Aramco shares on Sunday from state ownership to Sanabil Investments.

A protester rides his bicycle amid ongoing demonstrations against the government's judicial reform bill, in Tel Aviv on April 15, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel in budget deficit in another fallout post Moody’s downgrade

The credit rating agency downgraded Israel’s credit outlook due to the judicial reform controversy in the country.

Khartoum on fire

Airlines suspend Sudan flights after Saudi plane hit by gunfire

A number of Middle Eastern airlines have banned flights after the power struggle between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group turned deadly on Saturday.