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Economy & Business

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shake hands

France, Saudi Arabia announce more than $10B in deals on MBS visit

Among the deals included a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) pledge from the Public Investment Fund in three manga-themed amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran

Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows.

Khor Fakkan Container Terminal

Analysis

UAE-Iran trade relationship becomes key test of Trump’s wartime strategy

The Gulf state suspended trade with Iran after new attacks in August. Experts point to risks for both sides as the Trump administration seeks to squeeze Tehran economically.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Latest News

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 19, 2026.

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

Oman's Minister of Oil and Gas Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy.

Oman continues economic reforms by listing drilling company on stock exchange

Oman’s fiscal performance has improved in the last year, and the country wants to produce more alternative forms of energy, such as hydrogen.

OPEC Fund Director General - Abdulhamid Alkhalifa

OPEC Fund raises $1 billion via sustainability bond

Gulf states in the organization are showing increasing interest in funding projects related to the environment, renewable energy and green technology.

Wind power is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies. Usage is on the rise worldwide, in part because costs are falling. Many parts of the world have strong wind speeds, but the best locations for generating wind power are sometimes remote ones. Windmills for electric power production in the desert in Egypt.

Middle East green finance to see further boost from COP28

PRO Trend Report: The Middle East's green finance space is growing rapidly, but it's still relatively small compared to the world's largest markets. The region is poised to become a bigger player ahead of COP28, though. (subscribers only, access with free trial)

A tourist swims in a swimming pool at a hotel in Tunisia's resort town of Hammamet, about 66 kilometres south of the capital Tunis, on October 7, 2021. - The October sun warms the sands of Hammamet beach on the Tunisian coast, but the coronavirus pandemic still casts a shadow, and visitors are few on the ground. After two ruined seasons in a row, operators in Tunisia are licking their wounds and hoping the lifting of travel restrictions will spell better days. (Photo by ANIS MILI / AFP) (Photo by ANIS MILI/

North African tourism hinges on stability in Europe and at home in 2023

PRO: Will tourism revenues make a comeback in North Africa in 2023? Here's what we're expecting. (access with one-week free trial)

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Lebanese pound exchange

Lebanon's currency hits an all-time low as gridlock continues

Lebanon's currency has set a new record low as the parliament failed yet again to elect a president.

ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images

Why Tunisian InstaDeep’s $682m exit may not mark Maghreb's turning point

While mega exits have historically upturned ecosystems across the world, Tunisia and the Maghreb region contain hurdles that make such shifts less likely.

An Egyptian vendor carries a rack of Egyptian traditional 'Baladi' bread in Al Fustat neighborhood on May 2, 2022 in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt imports 80% of its wheat supply from Russia and Ukraine, whose production and export have been disrupted by the invasion. (Photo by Roger Anis/Getty Images)

Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Majority in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia on edge over food access

In an exclusive poll in five countries across the Middle East and North Africa, 68% majority of the population worried about their ability to access food.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi participates in the Leaders Session – Partnering on Agenda 2063 at the US-Africa Leaders Summit, Washington, Dec. 15, 2022.

Egypt green-lights sweeping privatization strategy following IMF agreement

The plan defines the contours of the state’s future participation in the economy, including those activities it plans to exit, to increase the contribution of the private sector.

THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images

Israel approves $33 million for quantum computing consortium

Building on its technological knowhow and entrepreneurship, Israel hopes to become a major player in quantum computing.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) and Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali (R).

Saudi Arabia launches investment fund for sports, entertainment events

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aggressive modernization plans have been criticized for being overly ambitious.

Representatives of OPEC member countries attend a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. - The OPEC+ oil cartel meets for the first time face-to-face since Covid curbs were introduced in 2020. (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP) (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Is OPEC+ losing influence over production and prices?

PRO: The next 5 years promise higher revenues for OPEC+ members, but the risks are extraordinary. (access with free trial)

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan arrives to attends the Euromoney conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on May 2, 2018 . - The two-day conference will focus on Saudi Arabia's finance and investments.(Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia 'open' to discuss trading in non-dollar currencies

Qatar also voiced support for Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter at the annual forum in Davos, Switzerland.