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Economy & Business

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

The launch comes as Syria’s new government attempts to stabilize the country’s shattered economy following the January 2025 rise to power of President Ahmed al-Sharaa after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Jag Vasant, an Indian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that transited through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East war, remains docked at an offloading terminal along the coast in Mumbai on April 1, 2026.

Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit

President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran.

United Arab Emirates

Pictured in this undated image is the Al-Thawra oil field in Raqqa governorate, as rehabilitation works continue to restore production capacity.

Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know

Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict.

Latest News

Aramco profits jump 26% as Hormuz disruption chokes supply

Guests stand at the Aramco booth during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 3, 2025.

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

EU restores economic pact to pursue fuller trade ties with Syria

Kaja Kallas

China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know

CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images

What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

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 general view taken on April 9, 2014, shows the oil terminal of Marsa al-Hariga in Libya.

Explainer: Libya exports oil to Italy after end of shutdown in east

Tribes affiliated with Gen. Khalifa Hifter, who fought the government during the civil war, closed several oil fields due to a dispute with Libya’s state oil company.

Mazeej community products at a HORECA booth in Beirut, Lebanon, March 24, 2022.

Lebanese initiative to support struggling zaatar producers

Small-scale producers in Lebanon are struggling to stay in business due to harsh economic conditions, but projects like Mazeej are helping them to turn things around for the better.

People line up in front of a bakery to buy bread in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on June 22, 2022.

War in Ukraine leaves Lebanon hungry

As wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia dwindle, Lebanese people are in danger of going hungry.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Indian company among buyers of Israel's Haifa Port

India is pursuing better economic relations with the UAE and Iran as well.

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UAE builds first railway over water

The Emirates is working on a national railway system as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

A currency exchange vendor shows a sheaf of Euro currency notes at Tahtakale in Istanbul, on March 22, 2021.

Turkey’s economy stands to suffer from euro’s downturn

The ramifications of the euro’s slide threaten to further stoke Turkey’s currency woes and soaring inflation.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Saudi Public Investment Fund continues UK investment with Aston Martin stake

Saudi Arabia already owns a Formula One racing team with the British car company, which is struggling financially.

Iran SCO

Iran increases non-oil trade with Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The uptick in trade comes at an important time for Iran’s relations with Russia, Kazakhstan and India.

A man counts Indian rupee notes in Mumbai on May 9, 2022.

India’s use of rupee for import, export payments could boost Iran trade

Iran is seeking to boost trade with both Russia and India at present.

Egyptian workers wait for clients at a petrol station on July 5, 2014, in Cairo as the government drastically raised fuel prices to tackle a bloated subsidy system.

Egypt again raises fuel prices

The price of Brent crude oil actually recently fell to its lowest point in several months.

DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images

TikTok launches new program for Israeli startups

With one billion users worldwide and Israeli startup companies growing by the minute, TikTok has launched a special program to assist Israeli entrepreneurs.

NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey looks to import gas from Turkmenistan, test exports to Bulgaria

Turkey and Turkmenistan are working on a gas deal that will likely extend to Europe in a bid to reduce Western dependency on Russian gas.