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Economy & Business

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on November 8, 2025. Established in 1957, Yarmouk was once the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria, but years of conflict left much of it in ruins. (Photo by Omar Albaw / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by OMAR ALBAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

Syria’s new order faces old problems: Sanctions, reconstruction and volatility

Although President Ahmed al-Sharaa has obtained major commitments from potential foreign investors, the economic and political challenges ahead remain significant.

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

This picture taken on December 11, 2019, shows an oil tanker at the port of Ras al-Khair, about 185 kilometres north of Dammam in Saudi Arabia's eastern province overlooking the Gulf. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia advances gas ambitions as $100B Jafurah plant comes online

The Finance Ministry reported that initial output at the massive Jafurah gas field has begun, with a capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day.

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 8, 2025.

What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction?

As Syria’s southern neighbor, Jordan is already positioning itself as a logistics hub and diplomatic broker for Syria’s reconstruction.

RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment

Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals.

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

Latest News

Analysis

US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry

Spots of gold-rich ore speckle a stone pictured during a press tour at the Al-Amar Gold Mine, in the Riyadh region on May 28, 2008.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Arabia opens Nomu Parallel Market to new investors: What to know

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Dec. 12, 2019.

Jordan-Syria trade surges as Damascus restores transit routes

Salah Malkawi/Getty Images

UAE showcases global AI ambitions with $1B Africa pledge at G20

His Excellency President CyrilRamaphosa welcomes G20 Heads of State and Government to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, hosted by South Africa at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Gauteng, on Nov. 22, 2025.

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

CNN launches new operation in Qatar amid regional rivalry: What we know

CNN's move will fuel Qatar’s growing role as a media hub in the region.

A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Nov. 3, 2024 in Suez, Egypt.

Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down

The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume sailing through the waterway.

Egyptian pound banknotes sit on a table on March 6, 2024, in Cairo, after Egypt's central bank announced it will allow the exchange rate to be set by the market.

Egypt’s economic reboot fuels bond market return with $2B sale

Egypt is making big moves to resuscitate its economy.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni together in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 26, 2025.

Saudi Arabia, Italy sign $10B in deals during Meloni visit: What we know

Italy is a strong trading partner of Saudi Arabia's, and the two countries are eying cooperation on renewable energy.

AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia eases foreign investment laws for Mecca, Medina real estate

Foreign investors will have access to limited shares of companies listed on the Saudi capital market, convertible debt instruments or both, the Saudi Capital Markets Authority said in a statement.

A vendor sells dates and dried fruits at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district, March 12, 2023.

Analysis

Egypt’s economic overhaul advances after 2024 turning point but pressures remain

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan attends a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 19, 2024.

Exclusive

Saudi finance minister hints kingdom could meet 2030 renewables target early

On Monday, the kingdom commissioned its largest battery energy storage system to its grid, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and the ability to store 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity.

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

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani looks on during a session as part of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 23, 2025.

WEF: Arab businesses ‘very keen’ to invest in Syria after Assad’s ouster

Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, attended the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week, along with over 50 heads of state and hundreds of business moguls.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

UAE Foreign Trade Minister Zeyoudi expects 14% trade increase in 2024: Interview

This rise has been propelled by the country's growing non-oil trade and trade deals, the UAE minister told Al-Monitor.

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

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Saudi borrowing blitz picks up as Vision 2030 deadlines, World Cup loom

Saudi Arabia is ahead of the pack as countries wary of volatility borrow cash before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Kushner's Saudi-backed fund inks flurry of deals ahead of Trump return

Jared Kushner set up Affinity Partners in 2021 after serving in his role as Donald Trump’s senior White House advisor during the former president's first term.

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

A picture shows the four seasons hotel in Beirut with the snow covered mountain of Sannine in the background on March 8, 2019. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon

The planned reopening of the hotel, which was damaged in the 2020 port explosion, follows Saudi-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun's becoming president of Lebanon.