Economy and trade

Gaza fishermen hope for new start with expanded zone

Palestinians are pleased with the Israeli army's decision to expand the Gaza Strip fishing zone, though fishermen there still have to recover from years of hardship that have taken their toll.

Palestine

Mismanaged energy sector destroys viability of Jordan's industrial businesses

Business owners in Jordan are calling on the government to adopt long-term strategies to reform the energy sector that is threatening their survival.

Jordan

The economic balance sheet of Turkey’s local elections

The ruling party's loss of major economic centers in local elections deprives it of major resources amid a bruising economic crisis.

Turkey

Israeli elections: Where is the economy?

Contrary to previous election campaigns, which focused on the dire economic situation, the main themes of the current campaign are the scandals surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and questions about Blue and White head Benny Gantz’s personality.

Israel

5 obstacles to Khamenei’s call for ‘boost in domestic production’

While the Iranian supreme leader’s emphasis on domestic production in the face of external sanctions makes a certain amount of sense, the question is how such a strategy should be implemented — and in which sectors of the economy.

Iran

Iraq inches closer to Egyptian, Jordanian axis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met in Cairo to discuss ways to enhance economic and strategic relations, as well as a unified Arab position toward the regional developments, including the US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

Egypt

Iran continues to struggle to keep workers content

The Iranian government, members of parliament, employers and labor activists have finally agreed on wage increases to alleviate the burden on workers. But much more remains to be done to shield Iranian workers from rising prices.

Iran

New crossing aims to restore Aleppo’s economic status

Civilians and traders in northern Syria hope commercial activities will resume there now that the Abu al-Zandeen crossing is open, linking regime-controlled territory to Turkish-backed opposition areas for the first time.

Syria

Putin, Aoun discuss Syrian refugee crisis, regional issues

President Putin and President Aoun hold wide-ranging talks, including about the return of refugees to Syria, and Lebanon indicates that despite its issues with Washington, strong US-Lebanese government ties are going to continue.

Lebanon

Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments

Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy.

Syria

IRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani

Ultraconservative commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now openly criticizing voters for electing Hassan Rouhani, whose performance they view as the root cause of the country's economic woes.

Iran

New pact will open flow of Egyptian workers to Libya

Egypt and Libya recently signed an agreement to cooperate on screening Egyptian laborers so more of them can enter Libya as the security situation is gradually improving.

Egypt