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

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Latest News

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 19, 2026.

Oil nears $92 on UAE missile alert as Trump claims Iran talks stuck

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Explainer

What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks?

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric

A picture take on Sept. 13, 2017, shows Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

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

TALANT KUSAIN/AFP via Getty Images

Abu Dhabi logistics firm expands into Kazakhstan

The Central Asian country has important strategic value for Iran, Turkey and other countries in the region.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel expected to increase natural gas drilling in 2023

Faithful to his past energy policies and on the backdrop of the global energy crisis, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to expand exploration for natural gas off Israel's shores.

Nishimura

Japan strengthens energy ties to Saudi Arabia, Oman

Oman wants to increase its natural gas exports, and Saudi Arabia continues to show interest in clean energy and carbon capture technology.

Shoppers walk past jewellery shops in the Taiba gold market in the capital Riyadh on June 29, 2020, after authorities announced a 10% increase in the VAT rate, to reach 15%, starting from first of July. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf tax landscape ushers in a new era

Sebastian Castelier

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

A photograph taken in Dubai on January 4, 2022 shows the world's highest skyscraper Burj Khalifa. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

2022 in review: Reforms, Ukraine war drive boost in UAE’s real estate market

Improved regulatory policies and diplomatic measures amid the Ukraine war have welcomed foreign direct investment and boosted the UAE real estate market in 2022 above the global average. 

An aerial view shows the town of Ghadames, a desert oasis some 400 miles southwest of the capital Tripoli, Libya, Oct. 19, 2021.

Oil pollution threatens Libyan oases

The populated areas near the oil fields in northeast Libya are suffering from pollution resulting from oil-related operations, in the absence of any action from authorities.

Sunset shot showing a row of electricity pylons in the desert, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Getty Images)

Analysis

2022 in review: Saudi-China, Qatar-Germany deals cap Middle East's energy developments

Hydrogen power, oil price fluctuations and electric vehicles could feature prominently in the region in 2023.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

An Iraqi man counts Iraqi dinars as he exchanges them for US dollars at a money exchange office, Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 12 2007.

Iraq's Central Bank moves to strengthen dinar against US dollar

The plan includes a measure to buy more Chinese yuan. Other states are also considering using the yuan more.

A general view shows headscarves for sale at Khan al-Khalili market, Cairo, Egypt, May 20, 2016.

Secondhand clothes offer Egyptians respite as inflation skyrockets

With living expenses rising and temperatures dropping and inflation surging to a five-year high of 18.7%, many Egyptians are looking to buy secondhand clothes at Wekalat al-Balah, Egypt's most famous used clothing market in the center of Cairo

The Evergreen leaves the Suez Canal for the Mediterranean after the signing of the settlement contract, Ismailia, Egypt, July 7, 2021.

Egyptian official says Suez Canal 'not for sale' amid fears of foreign investment

The chairman of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has responded after a parliamentary session discussing a private fund linked to the waterway sparked widespread criticism.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt raises interest rates to end 2022

Inflation continues to increase in Egypt and the Central Bank is uncertain about 2023.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkey raises minimum wage, keeps interest rates unchanged

Inflation is running rampant in Turkey, but the president continues to stubbornly reject higher interest rates.