Feature Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025 Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Business & Tech A year of rapid growth reshapes Gulf finance Maersk’s limited return to the Red Sea, rising competition between Gulf financial hubs and new solar and tech deals across the region dominated this week’s business and technology news. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Turkey hits renewable milestone as solar surpasses gas in power capacity Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in a statement that wind and solar capacity combined had risen to 39,215 megawatts by the end of November. Turkey
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Business & Tech World Cup spending boosts Morocco stocks By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Egypt explores production of green fuels for ships Egypt plans to cooperate with the Maersk global shipping group to establish a national network to produce and distribute green fuel for ships, depending on new and renewable energy sources, as the country gears up to host the COP27 climate summit. Egypt
Palestinian economy falters despite pandemic recovery Despite the end of the coronavirus pandemic, an improvement in the Palestinian economy does not seem very likely given other factors. Palestine
Natural gas profits finally put Israel's wealth fund into business After four disappointing years, Israel’s wealth fund, based on tax revenues from natural gas companies, has enough money to begin making investments. Israel
Halt of Mir use deals blow to rising Putin-Erdogan cooperation The specter of Western sanctions could curb other economic activities between Turkey and Russia as the surging bilateral trade comes under growing scrutiny. Turkey
In shock move, Turkey cuts interest rates again Inflation is historically high in Turkey, but President Erdogan continues to defy economic wisdom as the country's central bank slashed policy rates further. Turkey
Palestinian businessman seeks self-funded projects to support Gaza economy An agreement of $1 million was signed to restore industrial facilities that were destroyed in the May 2021 war on Gaza, which came as a glimmer of hope for the stricken industrial city. Palestine
Gulf banks raise interest rates, following US Federal Reserve Gulf states often follow the American central bank in their interest rate decisions. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi esports success depends on local businesses, say industry players After Saudi Arabia released its esports strategy last week, members of the region’s local gaming industry say community players, developers and startups are key to actualizing the plan’s ambitious goals. Legacy: Gulf
Egyptian coal factory shuts down in lead-up to COP27 El-Nasr Company for Coke and Chemicals was liquidated recently, less than a year after another industry and steel company was closed down, as the Egyptian government seeks to abandon coal in its factories and rely more on clean energy. Egypt
NEOM’s ambitious concept-to-project transition presents funding, feasibility challenges Robert Mogielnicki
Egypt invests Suez Canal revenues in three yacht ports President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that three yacht ports will be established from the revenues of the Suez Canal, in a bid to stimulate tourism to support the national economy. Egypt
Lebanese fear more hardships after fuel subsidies are lifted The Lebanese are expecting higher gasoline prices in light of the central bank’s decision to lift subsidies amid market chaos, dollar exchange fluctuations and devaluation of salaries in the Lebanese pound. Lebanon