Economy & Business - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

Lebanese Presidency

Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push

A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.

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

Latest News

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

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

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

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

Saudi central bank

Analysis

Saudi Central Bank extends guaranteed financing program for small businesses

The program encourages Saudi banks to loan to small businesses by guaranteeing a portion of the funds, and was launched in response to the coronavirus-related economic downturn in Saudi Arabia.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

OPEC

UAE sticks to OPEC+ production limits

The Biden administration is asking Gulf partners to increase production in response to rising oil prices, but so far the cartel is holding to its earlier agreement.

United Arab Emirates

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Dizzying fuel hikes fan popular grievances in Turkey

With Turkey’s consumer inflation already at 54.4%, price increases on fuel alone threaten to add two percentage points to the monthly inflation rate in March.

Bitcoin

Israel unhappy over unregulated cryptocurrency trade

Israeli authorities are demanding the international crypto stock-exchange Binance to explain unregulated digital currency trade in the country.

US President Joe Biden announces a ban on US imports of Russian oil and gas, March 8, 2022.

Oil price dips as UAE endorses increased production

Global oil prices have skyrocketed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

United Arab Emirates

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 (Artificial Intelligence) Summit.

Saudi-US business forum to focus on defense, artificial intelligence

Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its economy, but some in the United States want less cooperation with the Gulf state due to human rights concerns.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Turkey gas pipeline

Can Turkey benefit from Europe’s quest to reduce Russian gas?

Europe’s efforts to phase down gas imports from Russia might place Turkey at the center of routes for alternative supplies from Azerbaijan and Israel.

Turkey drilling

Fourth offshore drilling ship for Turkey en route from South Korea

The advanced vessel will join Turkey’s three others in conducting energy exploration in the Mediterranean and Black seas.

MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt to have eight months of wheat reserves, says minister

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is threatening wheat supplies across the Middle East.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

The prices for gas and diesel fuel.

Saudi, Emirati oil prices reach record highs

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to historically high oil prices.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Turkish Presidential Press Office

How Ukraine crisis undermines Turkey's economic program

Ankara’s economic program has hit a deadlock under the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked by a stream of fuel hikes, canceled tourism bookings and textile orders, and shortage fears in the food sector.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turks rush to buy sunflower oil as Ukraine war menaces food prices

Despite official assurances over supplies of basic items, a holdup of imports from Russia and Ukraine has already sparked panic buying of sunflower oil.