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Economy & Business

Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP via Getty Images

Oman enters Gulf AI race with new special economic zone in Muscat

Oman will create an AI-focused special economic zone in Muscat governorate.

A pumpjack stands idle in the Huntington Beach oil field, with port cranes visible in the distance, on April 23, 2026, in Huntington Beach, California.

Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture

Benchmark Brent crude surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching the highest levels yet seen during the US-Israel-Iran war.

An Iraqi money dealer counts Iranian rial banknotes bearing a portrait of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, at an exchange office in Baghdad on Feb. 3, 2012.

Iranian rial hits new record low as blockade, war take toll: What to know

The rial had another collapse in late 2025, triggering massive protests and riots in the country that were ended by a forceful government crackdown.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift

OPEC's fourth-largest producer will leave the cartel on May 1, marking the most significant departure in the group’s history as the war changes Abu Dhabi's relationship priorities.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel

MUMEN KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

First LNG tanker transits Strait of Hormuz since Iran war began

Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images

Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war

An Iranian grocer sells pistachios imported from Iran at a Persian products shop in the Gulf emirate of Dubai on July 10, 2019. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE’s cash request tests US ties as Iran war strains Gulf financial muscle

A view of Dubai Marina in Dubai on March 3, 2026.

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

This aerial photograph shows high-rise buildings in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Sept. 16, 2022.

How startups are contributing to Libya’s economic recovery

Digital business in the war-torn country is slowly starting to take seed.

Egypt cotton

Egypt seeks to produce cotton that resists drought better

Ahead of the COP27, Egypt and Uzbekistan hope to cooperate in producing cotton varieties resistant to unfavorable climate conditions.

Iraq slum

How can Iraq help 3.5 million citizens living in urban slums?

The government and parliament in Iraq are working to address the slum housing crisis, facing obstacles and wide social and political opposition.

AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi, Chinese energy leaders pledge further cooperation

While the United States is upset at Saudi Arabia over its decision to decrease oil production, the kingdom’s energy ties with China are improving.

A picture taken on March 12, 2019, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes shows a scale model of the city of Dubai.

Russian, British citizens top buyers of nonresidential property in Dubai

The war in Ukraine is driving more Russians to buy property in Dubai’s flourishing real estate market.

United Arab Emirates

Arab fashion

Arab designers respond to demand for sustainable fashion

In addition to new styles, Arab Fashion Week in Dubai also showcased the work of "slow fashion" designers who are trying to reduce the industry's environmental impact.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

How OPEC+ production cut will impact Egypt

Experts say the OPEC+ decision to cut oil production won't hit Egypt as hard as some other countries.

Amazon Egypt storefront.

Amazon Egypt launches page for Egyptian handicrafts

Amazon Egypt launched a new page for thousands of Egyptian handicrafts and heritage products, with the aim of supporting and encouraging Egyptian products.

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on energy.

Biden announces release of oil reserves following Saudi-backed oil cut

One analyst said the move will not elicit a reaction from Saudi Arabia, which is in a dispute with the Biden administration over the recent OPEC+ oil production decision.

An Iranian Turkman worker packages beluga caviar.

Iran renews ban on sturgeon fishing

The endangered fish is used to make caviar. Israel also has a strong caviar export industry.

Israel Barbivai

Israel, Turkey promote increasing bilateral trade

On an official visit to Turkey, Minister of Economy and Industry Orna Barbivai met with her counterparts, advancing the re-convening of the joint economic conference.

HSBC

HSBC launches new banking service for millionaires in UAE

The UAE is attracting more capital and investment, which has also coincided with financial transparency concerns.