Economy and trade

Why the Rouhani administration must eliminate energy subsidies

Despite pressure from lawmakers and the general public, the Rouhani administration must proceed with fuel-subsidy reform in order to relieve itself of avoidable financial burdens.

Iran

Egypt eyes bigger exports to Arab, African markets

Egypt has announced the imminent launch of a free zone in Nuweiba, the first in the Sinai Peninsula, and experts believe such a project will boost economic ties with Saudi Arabia and increase Egyptian exports.

Saudi Arabia

Will Egyptian move to curb imports stoke inflation?

Egyptian authorities floated the customs foreign exchange rate for non-basic commodities in a move aimed at curbing imports and demand for the US dollar while hopefully boosting local production of substitutes.

Egypt

Turkey’s complex balancing act between Russia and Ukraine

President Erdogan’s desire to mediate between Moscow and Kiev is confounded by Turkish policies in Crimea and Russian separatism in eastern Ukraine.

Turkey

Asia buoys Iran as US sanctions hit

Iran is still selling considerable quantities of oil to China, Japan, India and South Korea thanks to US waivers and other mechanisms to circumvent sanctions.

Iraq

Why Turkey will protect trade with Iran from US sanctions

The warming of ties between Iran and Turkey in recent years, coupled with the changing regional landscape, is likely to keep bilateral trade largely impervious to US sanctions.

Turkey

Why Iran’s currency repatriation rules threaten rising exports

Iranian exports have enjoyed a boost due to the weaker rial in recent months, but the country’s private sector says the mandatory currency repatriation mechanism devised by the central bank threatens legitimate exports.

Iran

Putin eyes visit to Baghdad amid growing Russian-Iraqi contacts

Contacts between Moscow and Baghdad have increased lately and President Putin may visit Iraq early next year.

Iraq

Egypt grapples with economic decisions amid high inflation rates

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt decided to hold key interest rates for the fifth consecutive quarter, which raised questions about the government's ability to lower the high inflation rate.

Egypt

Syria has high hopes for ties with Crimea — maybe too high?

Damascus expects to take part in Crimea’s Yalta International Economic Forum next year, aiming to boost trade and economic relations.

Syria

Iranian pension funds on brink absent major reforms

Iran’s main pension funds appear to be in dire need of prompt reform in order to survive without government bailouts.

Iran

Iraq’s governorates reject 2019 draft budget

Iraq's 2019 draft budget is the target of major criticism by the Iraqi governorates and Kurdistan Region for not fulfilling their needs and demands.

Iraq