Economy and trade

Coronavirus lockdown uncovers vulnerability of Tunisia’s economy

Despite government measures to help those most affected by a general lockdown aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus, Tunisia’s economy is being dealt a heavy blow.

Tunisia

Cash-strapped Lebanon struggles amid the coronavirus crisis

Various sectors in Lebanon, a country grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, have been hit hard by the measures imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Lebanon

For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come

The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future.

Legacy: Gulf

Turkey says rate of coronavirus infection stabilizes

The health minister sees signs the fast-spreading contagion is coming under control as the number of new cases remains steady. But an independent physicians’ group warns the government may be undercounting.

Turkey

Mideast economies to see biggest downturn in four decades, IMF projects

Almost every country in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia is expected to have negative gross domestic product this year, and the overall GDP for the region is expected to contract by an average of 3.1%.

Legacy: Gulf

Coronavirus killing off what's left of Gaza Strip's economy

Due to measures taken to tackle COVID-19, the Gaza Strip economy is at a virtual standstill, worsening unemployment and poverty.

Palestine

Egyptian MP proposes compulsory citizen donations to fight COVID-19

An Egyptian parliamentarian is planning to submit a bill obliging citizens to make donations to a government fund in order to help in the fight against the coronavirus, with some saying mandatory donations are illegal and a form of taxation.

Egypt

Banks can't save Gulf economies

Because of the way they are set up, GCC banks will have a hard time providing the funds that could help jump-start regional economies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll.

Legacy: Gulf

As foreign reserves dip, Egypt’s economy slows down

Analysts study the sharp decline of Egypt’s foreign reserves due to the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with fears that the Egyptian pound would further weaken against the dollar.

Egypt

Shops reopen in Bahrain as government rolls back restrictions

Bahrain is allowing stores to reopen if they follow social distancing guidelines but theaters and tourist locations remain closed and food delivery and takeout remain the order of the day for restaurants.

Legacy: Gulf

Turkey offers fresh money to companies, seeks donations for the poor amid coronavirus crisis

While enhancing monetary expansion measures to prop up companies and banks against the coronavirus crisis, Ankara is calling for donations from the public to support the poor.

Turkey

Tehran stock market could remain strong despite Iran's economic downturn

Now might be a good time to list companies on Tehran’s booming stock exchange.

Iran