EU restores economic pact to pursue fuller trade ties with Syria The move marks a major economic step for Syria's recovery after its 13-year civil war and the fall of the Assad regime. Syria
China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know Cargo rail traffic between China and Iran has reportedly surged since the US blockade began in April as Tehran seeks overland trade alternatives to help buy time. Iran
What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic The establishment of an entity seeking to control maritime transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is the latest sign that Iran wants to formalize authority in the strategic waterway. Iran
Egypt ramps up energy investments amid war-driven price pressures Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Wednesday that Egypt has secured commitments exceeding $19 billion from international oil companies over the next three years. Egypt
Newsletter: Business & Tech Brent dips on Hormuz, Iran deal optimism By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran's economic woes persist a year on Mahsa Amini protests Inflation and unemployment rates remain high, which could contribute to a renewed burst of demonstrations. Iran
Turkey, China near agreement on nuclear power plant If built, the facility will likely be Turkey's third nuclear plant, with Russia currently constructing its first. Turkey
Dubai ranks first in luxury home sales in second quarter: report Dubai was one of only four markets to see growth in its overall sales volume of luxury homes between Q2 2022 and Q2 2023 at 79%, along with Sydney (46%), Paris (17%) and Geneva (7%). United Arab Emirates
The EU’s migration roadmap: harnessing North African talent to bridge the labor gap For years, European nations have been courting talent from the Maghreb region, offering youth opportunities in key domains with domestic shortages such as IT, science, engineering, healthcare and agriculture.
Dubai apartment prices soar, spooking expats The cost of the average apartment in Dubai rose 20% in one year through August. United Arab Emirates
Interview Fintech, digital sukuk could spur Islamic finance growth in Middle East The Gulf has seen a boom in funding for fintech startups, more than quadrupling from $200 million in 2020 to $885 million last year. Mohamed Damak Global Head of Islamic Finance at S&P
Saudi Arabia in race against time to achieve 2030 green electricity goal Although the kingdom has pledged to shift away from burning oil for electricity, the carbon intensity of its gross domestic product has moved in the opposite direction from the rest of the world. Saudi Arabia
Middle East’s AI ambitions caught between US-China chip war The Middle East is becoming a key theater of operations in the US-China tech war — with semiconductor chips squarely in the crosshairs. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
MBS and Modi discuss expanding trade goals as Saudi-India ties grow The two leaders attended the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council where they convened on various fields of cooperation and reviewed regional and international topics of mutual interest. Saudi Arabia
Analysis India's economic corridor to Europe via Saudi, UAE: a win for US, West Asia In reflection of the emerging multipolar world, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi aim to transform their bilateral relations with Washington, Brussels, and Delhi into multidimensional partnerships by joining the IMEC, with energy serving as a core pillar but not the sole one. By Mohammed Soliman In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics
Morocco earthquake damage could wipe out as much as 8% of GDP The US Geological Survey warns of severe potential economic losses from the Morocco earthquake's "extensive damage." Morocco
Iraqi Kurdish farmers expect weak tobacco harvest Aftereffects of genocide, competition from cheap imports and lack of government support combine to limit the market for local agricultural products. Iraq