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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

BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 17: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd-L) meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2nd-R) at Great Hall of the People on March 17, 2017 in Beijing, China. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, King Salman Bin Abdul-Aaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will pay a state visit to China from March 15 to 18, 2017. (Photo by Lintao Zhang - Pool/Getty Images)

In first, Saudi Arabia to begin trading China-focused ETF: What we know

The ETF, which will begin trading on the Saudi Stock Exchange, has raised more than $1.2 billion.

This picture taken on Feb. 6, 2023, shows a view of the Tibbin dual fuel (natural gas and fuel oil) powerplant and Helwan Steelworks, in the Helwan suburb south of Egypt's capital, Cairo.

Analysis

Even with Greece venture, Egypt's energy hub ambitions remain far off

Egypt's key gas field has seen a slump in output while Cairo continues to import more gas from other countries such as Cyprus and Israel.

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

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel on Sept. 24, 2024.

Israel clinches $500M deal with Elbit Systems, Rafael for Iron Beam defense system

Expected to be operational within a year, the 100-kilowatt class, high-energy Iron Beam system is designed to complement Israel's existing Iron Dome defense system.

ENI headquarter in San Donato Milanese, near Milan, Italy, Oct. 27, 2017.

After decade halt, Eni, BP resume hydrocarbon exploration in Libya

Onshore drilling had been suspended for a decade, since the beginning of the Libyan civil war between rival factions in the country’s east and west.

Attendees arrive for the yearly Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Oct. 24, 2023.

Saudi Arabia pushes for Africa debt relief as private investments set to reach $25B

Saudi Arabia is pushing for debt relief for African nations burdened with more than $1 trillion in liabilities.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

India revokes UAE operator's authorization to handle cross-border transactions

India's central bank announced the decision in a statement noting that the UAE's exchange body showed “non-compliance with regulatory requirements.”

United Arab Emirates

Attendees take part in the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 25, 2022. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

What to make of Saudi Arabia's $96B in foreign direct investment in 2023

Driving foreign investment into key sectors is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify away from an oil-dependent revenue model.

Starbucks sales see 7% drop, largest since pandemic, amid Gaza boycotts

The company has been grappling with protests and boycott campaigns on social media due to the Israel-Gaza war and the union fight in the United States.

ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images

In Oman visit, Ukraine FM calls for food hub to boost Africa trade

Ukraine’s top diplomat will visit Egypt and other African countries after Oman amid the ongoing war with Russia.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery, Berlin, Germany, May 20, 2022.

Qatari emir in Germany to boost economic ties

According to the German chancellery, Scholz will host the emir at Meseberg Castle, with the meeting focusing on deepening energy, trade and regional security ties.

AFP via Getty Images

Russia-linked LNG tankers transferred to new UAE firm amid sanctions pressure

The three vessels — Velikiy Novgorod, Pskov and La Perouse — were transferred in September to a new Dubai-based company called Matias Ship Management, according to shipping data website Equasis.

United Arab Emirates

An OQ flag.

Oman state energy firm raises $2B from IPO, sultanate's largest ever

OQ raised the funds for its exploration and production business on the local stock exchange.