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Economy & Business

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

UAE-Syrian ties have moved faster than expected, with Abu Dhabi embracing President Ahmad al-Sharaa and relations shifting from normalization to investment opportunities.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2026, and was warmly received by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. The PM is shown being accorded a Guard of Honor upon his arrival.

UAE unveils $5B India investment push during Modi visit: What to know

India and the UAE signed deals related to energy supplies and maritime security, further strengthening ties amid the war in the region.

United Arab Emirates

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

Latest News

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin

Jordanians turn to cryptocurrency despite ban

Despite the risk in the cryptocurrency trading market, it remains largely unregulated in Jordan, where thousands have invested amid lack of job opportunities.

Yemen currency

Divergent currency values make life even harder in Yemen

Yemenis continue to bear the brunt of the war, including a devastated economy and banknotes that may have no value depending on which part of the country they visit.

A general view taken on Dec. 20, 2019 shows the skyline of the Qatari capital Doha.

Doha Bank releases 2021 profits

The Qatari bank reported a slight increase in profits compared to 2020, though it experienced a loss in its amount of total assets.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Passengers from Iran arrive to Najaf airport after it reopened on July 16, 2018.

Iraq receives 145% more foreign visitors in 2021

Iraq waived the visa requirements for citizens of many economically powerful countries last year in a bid to attract tourists and businesspeople.

Turkey electricity

Popular anger simmers in Turkey over ballooning electricity bills

Electricity bills have doubled and even tripled in Turkey after massive price hikes, fueling frustration with Erdogan’s economic management.

Turkey protest

Turkish unemployment down at end of 2021

Turkey is in the midst of an economic crisis, marked by historically high inflation. The government has misled the public with its unemployment figures in the past.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Egypt gas plant

Egypt plans to export gas to Lebanon by end of February

While Egypt stresses that the route is open for gas exports to Lebanon, two prominent members of the US Congress have called on the Biden administration to reconsider its support for the energy deal between Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

Dubai expo

Saudi Arabia building support for Expo 2030 bid

The kingdom wants to host the international cultural forum, which is currently being held in Dubai.

Palestinian school teacher Jihad Abu Sharar gives lessons online from her home, after a decision by the minister of education to close schools and kindergartens following a surge in coronavirus cases, Dura village, the West Bank, Feb. 3, 2022.

World Bank report notes improvement Palestinian digital economy

The DC-based institution’s report also said that Israeli restrictions and the Palestinian legal framework are impeding further development in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Egypt financial

First Abu Dhabi Bank seeks to buy Egyptian financial firm EFG Hermes

Merger and acquisition activity rose dramatically in Egypt in 2021.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Israel economy

Report: Israel central bank leader not concerned about inflation

Andrew Abir discussed interest rates, Israel’s high cost of living, foreign currency purchases and more with the Israeli media outlet Globes.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Delivery couriers of Yemeksepeti demonstrate to demand higher wages in front of the company's headquarters in Istanbul, on Feb. 5, 2022.

Turkey’s food delivery couriers latest to strike amid economic crisis

A spate of industrial action from courier drivers comes as they step into an important gap created by COVID isolation.