Turkey lifts veil on unemployment data, revealing bigger army of jobless A new, broader set of labor statistics has exposed a big gap between Turkey’s official unemployment rate and the actual joblessness in the crisis-hit country. Turkey
Rights group criticizes Jordan over debt imprisonment Human Rights Watch has highlighted the plight of poor Jordanians imprisoned for failing to pay back loans taken out to meet basic needs. Jordan
COVID accelerates evolution of Gulf economies The economic policy response to COVID-19 is an acceleration of specific trends already underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council members, variously affecting tax policy, labor market regulation and immigration policy. Saudi Arabia
Iran receives COVID-19 vaccine from Cuba Iran enjoys warm relations with the Latin American state and the two countries are also developing a coronavirus vaccine together. Iran
Gaza’s public servants outraged at Hamas’ recent spending Recent documents were leaked to the media showing that Hamas spent more than $550,000 for the celebrations of its anniversary, which raised the ire of Gaza government employees who have not received their full salaries since 2013. Palestine
Gaza traders face new taxes, import restrictions In a bid to protect national products, Hamas’ Ministry of National Economy in Gaza imposed new taxes on imported goods and banned traders from importing any goods without its consent. Palestine
Israeli factory to be established in Gaza, is this possible? Israel’s SodaStream announced it will open a manufacturing plant in the Gaza Strip, raising eyebrows since the company was forced to close a factory it previously operated in the West Bank under pressure from the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. Palestine
Iran consumer prices remain stubbornly high despite rial recovery Despite the Iranian national currency's comeback, consumer prices have yet to see commensurate drops due to price rigidity and uncertainty over the country's economic future. Iran
Israeli parties in search of ex-generals On the backdrop of security tensions on Israeli’s northern and southern fronts, all of the parties are looking for security-oriented stars. Israel
Rouhani presents budget bill in raucous parliament session Iran's President Hassan Rouhani presented his government's budget bill, which includes several belt-tightening measures in anticipation of US sanctions, to a chamber of furious lawmakers. Iran
Qatar deal expected to boost Palestinian trade As part of Doha's continued efforts to boost the Palestinian economy, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Trade Center in a bid to strengthen their partnerships. Qatar
Yellow vest protests fail in Israel Just putting on a yellow vest to protest against sudden price hikes hasn’t proved to be enough to spread in Israel the rage that brought hundreds of thousands of people out onto the streets of France. Israel
Female-only ride-hailing app to compete with Uber, Careem in Cairo Fyonka, Egypt's first all-female ride hailing service, is providing money-earning opportunities and transport for women. Egypt
Uncertainties abound as Iran moves to privatize its two biggest soccer clubs Iran’s Cabinet has given the green light to the privatization of the popular Esteghlal and Persepolis soccer clubs, but from the debts to the losses, the process promises to be rocky at best. Iran
Egypt to take charge of Tanzania dam construction Egypt and Tanzania recently signed a contract allowing Egyptian companies to build a hydroelectric dam in the African country, which experts say will help boost Egypt’s economy. Egypt
Is Qatar's Gaza airport plan a step too far? Qatar’s ambassador to the Palestinian territories recently revealed that he has discussed with Israel the idea of building an airport in besieged Gaza. Qatar
