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

Saudi staff are pictured where the Financial Sector Conference was held in Riyadh on April 24, 2019.

Is Saudi Arabia changing approach to cryptocurrencies?

Although Saudi Arabia seems to be warming to cryptocurrencies, it is unlikely to displace the UAE as the region’s crypto hub anytime soon.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) receives his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in Tehran, on July 20, 2022.

Syria and Iran lower tariffs per free trade agreement

Syria and Iran signed a free trade deal more than 10 years ago but are still working out the details. The two countries are not major trade partners despite being political and military allies.

Halfaya oil field in the al-Kahla district in the city of Amara south of Baghdad on July 26, 2022.

Abu Dhabi port operator signs oil transport deal with Iraqi firm

AD Ports Group is seeking to expand its international business, recently making agreements in Egypt and Uzbekistan to this end.

A customer holds US dollar banknotes outside a currency changer as Turkey's economy is suffering its biggest economic crisis in decades, Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 6, 2022.

Turkish inflation passes 83% as Erdogan eyes further rate cuts

Despite a galloping inflation topping 83%, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has doubled down on his controversial monetary policy, urging the central bank to cut its policy rate to single digits by the year-end.

An aerial view of the city of Zahle in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, photo taken during a press tour by the Lebanese air force, July 1, 2021.

From homes to guesthouses: some Lebanese find ways to survive economic meltdown

Despite Lebanon's worst financial crisis since its civil war, guesthouse investment is growing as rural tourism soars, generating much-needed revenue for its cash-strapped citizens and empowering local communities and talents.

A man walks past a money exchange company, Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 1, 2019.

Lebanon to shift to new official lira-to-dollar exchange rate

Lebanon is shifting to a new official exchange rate to the US dollar, three years after an unprecedented financial and economic crisis that has plunged a large portion of its population under the poverty line.

NASSER AL-HARBI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector can expect boost into 2023

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reports that the kingdom has been accelerating its economic diversification efforts.

Ali Metwally

By Ali Metwally

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal city of Caesarea on December 19, 2019. - Israel has approved the export of gas from its offshore reserves to Egypt, a spokeswoman said on December 17, with a major reservoir expected to begin operations imminently. The approval by Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz was part of a long process under which Israel will transform from an importer of natural gas from Egypt into an exporter

Egypt ‘primary actor’ in next phase of East Med natural gas development

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (C) attends the opening of the Global Business Forum on Africa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 1, 2017.

UAE, Tanzania sign double tax avoidance deal

The Emirates is also pursuing renewable energy projects in the southern African country.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi employment numbers improve

Unemployment in Saudi Arabia is higher than in other Gulf states, but the labor market is showing signs of strength in other areas.

The Sultanate of Oman (R) and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L).

UAE, Oman boost ties with deals on high-speed rail, combating financial crimes

The agreements are in line with the UAE’s foreign policy, which prioritizes regional partnerships.

United Arab Emirates

COMESA,

Saudi Arabia partners with Senegal on railway, desalination plant

The UAE, Israel and Turkey have also upped their engagement with African states in recent years.