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

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

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.

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

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

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

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

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Latest News

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.

Oil nears $92 on UAE missile alert as Trump claims Iran talks stuck

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Explainer

What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks?

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric

A picture take on Sept. 13, 2017, shows Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

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

Digital generated image of abstract AI chat icons over digital surface.

AL-Monitor FutureVerse: AI superpowers clash

An exclusive sneak peek of an interview with a top Saudi tech diplomat who is helping shape the future of AI collaboration among emerging economies.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of COP28, speaks during the opening ceremony of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on Nov. 11, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

UAE’s XRG to make big investment in US energy, ADNOC chief says

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said his new low-carbon energy company wants to become a one-stop shop for gas in the United States.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 18, 2024.

Saudi Aramco CEO warns of 'painful awakening' as energy costs rise

Amin Nasser said that green energy would not replace oil as demand for crude continues to grow, especially from the Global South.

Lebanon ruins

World Bank estimates $11B reconstruction bill for Lebanon after Israeli war

The war in Lebanon came as the country was already struggling with its worst economic crisis in decades.

A young man looks at the Bayraktar TB2 drone.

Turkey's Baykar partners with Italy’s Leonardo on drones: What to know

The joint venture could further boost Baykar’s drone fleet and comes amid improving Italy-Turkey trade ties.

Syrian central bank

UK removes 24 Syrian entities from sanctions list, including central bank

The latest decision comes after the European Union lifted several sanctions across banking and energy on Syria on Feb. 24.

The entrance to the Central Bank of Turkey, Ankara, Feb. 8, 2024.

Turkey lowers interest rates to 42.5% following dip in annual inflation

The decision to further cut interest rates follows a decline in the country's year-on-year inflation to below 40%.

EU-GCC summit

Saudi PIF, Italy sign $3B export deal as ties grow under Meloni: What to know

The agreement will help the kingdom's many giga projects as well as Italian exporters.

Tadawul

Aramco to invest up to $58B in 2025 gas, renewables ventures, CEO says

Saudi Aramco is investing in an offshore gas field and new business areas such as lithium and blue ammonia, its CEO told stockholders.

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

UAE’s ADNOC, Austria’s OMV merge businesses to create $60B plastics firm

Following the acquisition, the new firm, called Borouge Group International (BGI), will be the world’s fourth-largest polyofin company, said ADNOC and OMV.

United Arab Emirates

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Local residents walk past the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul on March 1, 2025, on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Inflation in Turkey dips under 40%, lowest in nearly 2 years

Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said he expected the decline in inflation to continue due to Turkish monetary policies.