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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

An Iranian man looks looks at currency exchange rates outside a shop in downtown Tehran on June 15, 2021. - Iran holds a presidential election on June 18, with ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi, who heads the judiciary, most likely to win from the seven candidates. (Photo by MORTEZA NIKOUBAZL / AFP) (Photo by MORTEZA NIKOUBAZL/AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian exporters to suffer impact of frozen exchange rate

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Participants attend the launch of the new tourism visa in Ad Diriyah, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 27, 2019.

Saudi Public Investment Fund announces new tourism project in Diriyah

The sovereign wealth fund is seeking to boost tourism to the kingdom per the Vision 2030 initiative.

This photograph shows rolls of copper wires stored at the Nexans manufacture in Lens, northern France, on May 11, 2022. - The French cable company is the only one in its sector to have its own copper foundry in Lens. This plant represents a competitive advantage for Nexans at the dawn of an explosion in demand for electrical cables. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia to ramp up copper mining to meet rising global demand

Copper demand is expected to explode as governments and companies worldwide try to meet ambitious net zero targets. Saudi Arabia is positioned well to take advantage.

Afshin Molavi

Burj Khalifa

UAE offers corporate tax orientation as implementation nears

The Gulf state decided last year to start taxing business profits and the new tax will go into effect this June.

This picture taken December 12, 2019 shows a view of the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh. - Energy giant Saudi Aramco's market value soared above $2 trillion as its share price surged again on its second day of trading. The valuation milestone was sought by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he first floated the idea of selling up to five percent of Aramco, the world's largest oil firm, about four years ago. Aramco shares jumped another 9.7 percent to 38.60 riyals ($10

From Oil to IPOs: how the Middle East is delivering a wave of mega-listings

2022 was a year to forget for IPOs across global markets, but not in the Middle East. Check out our latest PRO Trend Report to take a deep dive into how the region found success.

People walk past a currency exchange shop displaying a giant US dollars banknote in downtown Cairo on Nov. 3, 2016.

Egyptian banks announce measure to encourage savings

Inflation is still occurring in Egypt and the pound is plummeting in value again.

This picture taken on May 9, 2021 shows a view of the Dubai city skyline as seen from the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building at 828 meter.

Dubai unveils $8 trillion economic plan

Dubai's plan includes measures to boost its foreign trade, sustainability and position as a tech hub.

Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab attends the opening session of the 24th ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in the Capital Cairo on October 25, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria, Sonatrach banking on high energy prices for 2023

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

This picture taken on Aug. 23, 2022 shows a view of the exterior of the headquarters of the Bank of Israel, the country's central bank, in Kiryat Ben-Gurion in Jerusalem.

Israel raises rates again as central bank expects inflation

Housing prices are also on the rise in Israel, and interest rates are now at their highest levels since 2008.

A man counts Turkish liras at a currency exchange office, Istanbul, Turkey, July 29, 2020.

Turkey's inflation slows most in December in a boost to Erdogan

Facing crucial elections in spring, the Turkish government is trying to take credit for curbing inflation, even though the steep decline in the annual rate owes mostly to a favorable base effect.

Norway wealth fund

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund considers ending all investments in Israel

Recent investigations by Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund into the activities of Israeli banks and companies in the West Bank could lead it to completely severing all investments in Israel.

Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim Al Aufi arrives for the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Oct. 5, 2022.

Interview

Oman banking on hydrogen, renewables in diversified energy strategy

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Oman’s energy and minerals minister is charting a course for affordable, sustainable energy and welcomes international investors.

Salim Al Aufi

Salim Al Aufi

Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals