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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

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune speaks.

Algeria to maintain gas supplies to Spain despite dispute

Algeria's announcement concerning the immediate suspension of the treaty of friendship and good neighborliness concluded with Spain in October 2002, after Madrid’s radical change of position on the Western Sahara issue on March 18, will not have negative consequences on gas contracts signed by the two countries.

Israeli and Egyptian flags are seen at the Nitzana border crossing along the southern Israeli border with Egypt near the Israeli village of Nitzanei Sinai, Aug. 20, 2013.

Egyptian trade delegation visits Israel for first time in decade

Economic ties between Egypt and Israel seem to be on the right path amid growing cooperation in various fields.

A picture taken on Sept. 25, 2011, shows a worker loading palm oil fruits onto a lorry at a plantation in Bintulu Sarawak.

Egypt turns to Malaysia, Indonesia for vegetable oil amid food export bans

Amid a severe shortage and soaring local prices, Egypt is exerting efforts to resume imports of vegetable oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Egyptian farmers harvest wheat in Bamha village.

World Bank approves $500 million loan to Egypt for food security

Egypt, like other countries in the region, is contending with food security and price increases related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A man looks on near the stand of US multinational technology conglomerate Meta.

Qatar partners with Meta on digital economy

Gulf states are working to increase the size of their digital economies.

Palestinian bread baker

World Bank official: Lebanon, Yemen, Syria most food-insecure in region

Many states across the Middle East and North Africa meet the criteria for food insecurity, experts said at a US Institute of Peace event.

An aerial view taken on Oct. 2, 2021, shows people swimming and paddling off the coast of the northern Lebanese city of Batroun.

Outrageous prices keep Lebanese from swimming

Many Lebanese have been complaining about high entrance fees to swimming pools and water resorts amid low salaries due to the local currency depreciation.

ECOWAS flag with various member flags.

UAE to increase exports to countries in West Africa

The Emirates is one of the biggest investors in Africa. Turkey, Qatar and Israel have significant interests on the African continent as well.

Bedouin men eat their dinner in a tent on Oct. 9, 2013, in the Bedouin village of Al-Arakib, Israel.

Israel to build first solar plant on Bedouin land

A unique agreement with the State offers a Bedouin tribe in the south of Israel real ownership of its land, enabling it to rent out space for the construction of a giant solar plant.

A vendor sells fruits at the central market during the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan, Rabat, Morocco, May 6, 2020.

Imports up pressure on Morocco’s foreign reserves

Energy and food imports alongside a growing trade deficit put pressure on Morocco’s foreign currency reserves.

Digital currency.

Gaza YouTuber scams million dollars, vanishes

Dozens of citizens in Gaza fell victim to the fraud of Palestinian YouTuber Jalal al-Najjar who collected one million US dollars and vanished.

A general view of the Egyptian Exchange, Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 6, 2013.

Islamic finance grows despite global economic turmoil