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

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

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

Oil drilling near Dakhiliyah in the desert region of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 25, 2026.

Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership

The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress."

Latest News

Trump earns $810M from UAE-backed crypto firm: What to know

People walk past a cryptocurrency exchange office with a screen featuring US President Donald Trump holding cryptocurrency coins in Hong Kong on March 12, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Kuwait's Zain eyes $1.5B mobile network in postwar Syria: What to know

Omar Albaw / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Traffic plummets through Strait of Hormuz after Iran, US trade fire

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

Iran unveils its first homemade vehicle with Euro-6 emissions technology on Dec. 4, 2022.

Iran produces pickup truck in compliance with EU emission standards

Khodro’s Foton Tunland complies with the European Union’s Euro VI emission standards for heavy vehicles.

A detailed view of the adidas ‘Al-Rihla’ official soccer ball on the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022.

World Cup soccer ball made in Egypt

Egyptian officials have praised a local company for manufacturing the official World Cup soccer ball currently held in Qatar, hoping to expand globally in this field.

Lebanon fans cheer during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification soccer match between the United Arab Emrites and Lebanon at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 2, 2021.

Many Lebanese not able to watch World Cup matches

Many Lebanese have been dismayed by the news that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will not be broadcast on the public channel Tele Liban due to financial difficulties.

Harvested wheat in Qursaya island, Cairo, Egypt, May 16, 2022.

Egypt buys first Ukrainian wheat shipment since Russian war began

Egypt's General Authority For Supply Commodities is believed to have purchased 175,000 tons of wheat, through private talks with importers, making it the first Ukrainian wheat purchase since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine.

This picture taken on November 1, 2022 shows a view of the Nile river between Egypt's capital Cairo (L) and its twin city of Giza (R). - The Pharaohs worshipped it as a god, the eternal bringer of life, but the clock is ticking on the Nile. Climate change, pollution and exploitation by man is putting existential unsustainable pressure on the world's second longest river on which millions of Africans depend. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s water crisis to worsen, intensifying tensions with Ethiopia over Nile Dam

Marc Español

Saudi Arabia Aseer

Saudi wealth fund to invest in mountainous Aseer region

Aseer receives the most rainfall in Saudi Arabia and has some tourism potential, but the kingdom is not close to meeting its tourism goals at present.

Palestinian men and children ride a donkey cart in Gaza City on Sept. 24, 2014.

Israel bans Gaza from importing donkeys

Gaza is banned from importing donkeys after an Israeli NGO claimed they are transported to China for the skin and meat industries.

Iraqi Aqeel Hassan, one of the owners of private electric generators.

Iran, Iraq sign $4 billion engineering agreement

The deal comes at a notable time in Iran-Iraq relations, as the Islamic Republic continues to threaten and attack Kurdish groups in Iraq.

Employees work at the call centre of the Algerian delivery company Yassir, at the company's headquarters , in the capital Algiers on February 23, 2022. - It's the Algerian start-up that made good: despite the country's notoriously complex business climate, taxi and home-delivery firm Yassir has millions of users and is expanding across Africa.

The Business & Tech Briefing: Maghreb startup funding takes off

In this weekly newsletter, Al-Monitor CEO Greg Cohen rounds up the biggest business stories from the region.

Iran Iraq oil

Iran’s oil ministry opens offices in Baghdad, Basra, Kurdistan

Iran is opening offices for its oil ministries in several Iraqi cities to expand cooperation in oil, gas and other energy sectors.

A picture taken on Nov. 3, 2019, shows a sign of Saudi Aramco's initial public offering.

Saudi Arabia announces new natural gas discoveries

The kingdom is already a major oil exporter, but it could also start exporting natural gas in the near future.

A man sits next to a currency exchange office at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar on May 5, 2022.

Turkish government banks on Gulf financial support to save economy

As crucial elections near, Ankara pins hope on financial support from “friendly” countries to ease its foreign currency shortfall and rein in inflation.