Economy and trade

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France blocks Israeli weapons display at Paris airshow: What to know

After their exclusion from the Eurosatory and Euronaval fairs, Israeli armament companies have now been prevented from participating in the Bourget defense show in Paris.

Lebanese Minister of Economy Amin Salam (R) vists the port of the capital Beirut, as a corner of the silos which were destroyed in a massive explosion on August 4, 2020, burns on July 14, 2022. - The fire at the port's blast-hit grain silos, at risk of collapse due to severe damage, ignited at the start of the month because of fermentation of remaining grain stocks paired with rising temperatures. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon arrests fmr economy minister Amin Salam on embezzlement charges

The arrest comes nearly a year after the former central bank chief was arrested on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, among other things.

A child crouches over cracked earth at al-Massira dam in Ouled Essi Masseoud village, some 140 kilometres (85 miles) south from Morocco's economic capital Casablanca, on Aug. 8, 2022 amidst the country's worst drought in at least four decades.

Morocco’s agricultural, fishing sectors plunge in 2024 amid drought, climate strain

Agriculture is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, and in 2023, it amounted to more than 11% of the country’s gross domestic product.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 17, 2025.

Egypt's Sisi in UAE to talk Gaza, regional security: What to know

Egypt and the UAE are close allies, coordinating in various regional issues while maintaining close economic relations.

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Analysis

As Israel faces 'avalanche' of global criticism, Netanyahu fixated on Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem, May 21, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) greets Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud as he arrives for the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit after the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025.

Exclusive

EU could partially suspend Israel's association agreement within weeks: Sources

MARTIN BERTRAND/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A general view of the city skyline at sunset from Dhow Harbour, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 5, 2015.

Analysis

Is Abu Dhabi Global Market poised to rival world’s leading financial hubs?

The Abu Dhabi Global Market, an international free zone in the heart of the UAE capital, is attracting global companies and investors as it looks to become one of the world's leading financial hubs.

Vanessa Ghanem

By Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -UNSPECIFIED: In this image released on November 3,2022, Tiësto behind-the-scenes filming the music video for new track 10:35 at Dubais newest luxury icon, Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Cedric Ribeiro/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

Dubai, Tel Aviv most expensive for expats in MidEast as Tunis, Ankara rank least

Tunis, Algiers and Ankara have a relatively low cost of living for international workers, according to a survey by the consulting firm Mercer.

United Arab Emirates

A Qatar Airways plane takes off from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, Feb. 12, 2022.

RwandAir CEO says Qatar Airways could acquire 49% stake in July

For the past five years, Qatar and Rwanda have been working on a deal that would see Qatar Airways take a 49% stake in RwandAir for an undisclosed fee.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev review the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on Feb. 19, 2020.

Analysis

Why Uzbekistan is increasingly looking to Turkey, Saudi Arabia for investment

Tashkent is trying to diversify energy sources and bring in fresh foreign investment, turning to both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to accomplish this.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 2024.

Saudi Arabia holds investment summit in Brazil, plans to invest $15B

Brazil’s energy minister said Saudi Arabia plans to invest $15 billion in the South American country, bolstering already strong economic relations based largely on mining, meat and oil.

Giorgia Meloni was received at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. (WAM)

UAE, Saudi leaders expected at Italy's G7 summit as Meloni boosts Gulf ties

Italy is seeking Saudi investments and closer gas ties with the UAE, all while it focuses on migration and energy-related interests in North Africa.

An Egyptian man drives a tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaw) in the al-Khalifa district of Egypt's capital Cairo on January 11, 2023. - With Egypt's economy in crisis, the currency in freefall and inflation skyrocketing, the poor have been hit hard but the middle class is also teetering on the brink. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt's year-on-year inflation drops below 30% in first since January

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that Egypt’s inflation rate has maintained its downturn for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 28.15% in May from 32.54% in April.

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Invest Qatar sees big role for logistics sector, World Cup spurred investments

The Gulf country ranks seventh globally in logistics competence in Agility's Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the Qatar Free Zones Authority brings in top companies in the sector.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar National Bank says GCC banks have more liquidity than global rivals

An executive at the Qatari lender said that Gulf countries will have to compete with the rest of the world for billions of dollars in equity to finance infrastructure projects, of which there is a higher demand than supply.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) is escorted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed on July 8, 2022, during their meeting in Osaka, Japan, June 30, 2019.

Despite postponement of MBS' visit, Saudi-Japanese ties on upswing

The increase in high-level visits and overall mutual visits has been the most notable aspect of the development of Saudi-Japanese relations in recent years.

Yuka Ando

The Sudanese (L) and Saudi flag are seeing flying on the tarmac during a joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe some 350 kilometres north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017.

Analysis

Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach?

As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (L), South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol (C), and his wife Kim Keon Hee (R) watch the Black Eagles, the aerobatic team of T-50 jets belonging to South Korea's air force, during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Office in Seoul on May 29, 2024. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea, UAE ink trade deal lifting tariffs on over 90% of imports

The agreement was signed by ministers at a summit in the capital Seoul during the UAE president's first state visit.

United Arab Emirates