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

A doctor in the oncology department of the Hotel-Dieu de France reviews anticancer drugs in the hospital pharmacy, Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 7, 2022.

Lebanese turn to alternative medicine as health care costs soar

Many in Lebanon are opting for alternative medicine to treat physical and psychological maladies after no longer being able to afford health services.

Journalists take images of Peugeot 207 and 206 car production lines at the Iran Khodro auto plant.

Iran sanctions French carmakers

Peugeot, Renault and Citroen all do considerable business in Iran. The move follows new European Union sanctions against Iran in relation to the anti-government protests in the country.

Al-Monitor business correspondent Salim A. Essaid moderates a panel with global regulators from the US, India, Italy, and the UAE at Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) on November 15th 2022.

Who’s to blame for FTX, future cryptocurrency failings?

As the crypto world reels from the FTX currency exchange's bankruptcy, how can the industry protect the cryptocurrency market?

BudZero

Qatar reverses course, bans alcohol at World Cup

Budweiser had obtained exclusive rights to sell beer in the stadiums, but can now sell it only in luxury boxes.

UAE solar farm

Gulf states chart own investment course in climate finance

Sebastian Castelier

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) speaks as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres listens at a press conference during the COP27 climate conference, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 17, 2022.

Egypt reaps economic, political gains from COP27

Egypt has achieved several major deals as well as boosted its foreign policy by hosting COP27.

An Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 "Dreamliner" aircraft lands at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on Oct. 20, 2020.

Etihad launches initiative on sustainable aviation fuel to decarbonize flights

Sustainable aviation fuel, which is sourced from biological materials, has great carbon reduction potential. However, airlines' reluctance to spend more on fuel is hampering its development, according to some observers.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) speaks with South Korean President Moon Jae-In (not pictured) during a meeting at the Presidential Blue House, Seoul, South Korea, June 26, 2019.

Saudi Aramco makes $7 billion investment in South Korea during crown prince’s visit

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seeking to boost energy, defense and investment cooperation with Seoul during his trip.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish exporters, tourism sector cut prices

Amid the dramatic slump of the lira, Turkish exporters have sold goods at lower prices, while the country’s imports, chief among them energy, have grown more expensive, official data show.

Carbon market

Egypt launches Africa’s first carbon credit market

Access to development financing solutions is being boosted through a new platform that will help the African private sector to lower its carbon emissions.

Israel housing

Israeli housing prices expected to continue to rise

Short supply of new units and high demand will outweigh increases in interest rates, most observers say.

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao sits on the main stage at Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) in an interview with Mike Novogratz, the CEO of Galaxy Digital Holdings.

The Business & Tech Briefing: Binance CEO takes heat at Abu Dhabi event after FTX fall

In this weekly newsletter, Greg Cohen rounds up the biggest business and technology stories from the region.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff