Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know Saudi Arabia had been a main donor for Lebanon before ties strained during Hezbollah’s rising influence in the country. Lebanon
Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Egypt plans new maritime line to East Africa for increasing exports The Egyptian government will soon inaugurate a new maritime line from the port of Ain Sokhna to East African countries, with the aim of boosting trade and exports. Egypt
Group to boost Palestinian economy, cut link to Israel The Palestinian prime minister is heading a new group designed to inject vitality into the economy and strengthen partnerships among the public, private and civil sectors. Palestine
Egypt’s new free zone to serve development purposes As part of the Egyptian government development plan for Upper Egypt, a new free zone will be opened in Aswan to boost the economy, serve investors and create more jobs. Egypt
The PA moves forward in its disengagement from Israel The Palestinian government decided to appoint commercial attaches in the Palestinian embassies in a bid to promote national products abroad, which is seen as a step forward on the path of economic disengagement from Israel. Palestine
Contradictory moves to rescue Palestinian economy While the United States is pushing for an economic workshop to help Palestinians, the mood in Ramallah is defiant with ideas to build an alternative independent economy — a goal sought by the Shtayyeh government. Palestine
Can Iran rely on Russia to dodge US pressure? Iran is relying on Russia to minimize the impact of the US "maximum pressure" campaign, but Russia seems to have reservations while it also enjoys certain advantages if US-Iran tensions remain unresolved, albeit at a controlled level. Russia
Turkey’s debt-ridden Treasury mulls risky steps to stay afloat Grappling with a growing budget deficit and with little room to maneuver, Ankara has come to consider some unorthodox measures, including the high-risk idea of tapping the central bank’s rainy-day cash. Turkey
Amid protests, Lebanon’s Cabinet faces difficult choices on public sector austerity Analysts doubt that Lebanon’s Cabinet will be able to reduce the budget deficit and salvage the long-term health of the Lebanese economy without taking unpopular austerity measures, and not taking them would lead to an even more dire economic situation. Lebanon
What to do about Iran’s expected budget deficit The impact of US sanctions on Iranian energy exports is bound to cause a budget deficit in Iran, with the Rouhani administration facing tough choices ahead. Iran
Russia may have designs on Iran's trade with Syria Observers wonder whether Russia will cut into Iran's trade volume with Syria. Syria
Turkey grapples with big trade deficit with China Amid Washington’s trade war on China, Ankara is also grumbling about a massive trade gap with Beijing, but a number of factors stand in Turkey's way to resolve the deficit. Turkey
After finalizing IMF loan, Egypt’s reforms target industrialization, exports An IMF mission, currently in Cairo to review Egypt’s economic reform program under a $12 billion loan, is focusing on the country’s plan to launch structural reforms, targeting the industrial and export sectors. Egypt
