Economy and trade

Humor helps Egyptians let off steam during potato crisis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's comments about youth obesity and a potato shortage at a recent youth conference have unleashed a wave of sarcasm on social media, giving disaffected Egyptians an opportunity to vent their frustration with the rising cost of living.

Egypt

Turkey's Finance Ministry, Moody's have opposite views on economy's direction

Moody's sees the Turkish economy as likely in recession, while Erdogan's son-in-law says positive results are on their way.

Turkey

Iran’s plan to sell oil on local energy exchange could boost economy

Iran’s plan to develop an alternative channel to monetize its oil through a local energy exchange faces many obstacles but holds real potential of boosting domestic capacities.

Iran

Turkey's skyrocketing food prices show no sign of slowing

Ill-advised policies over the decades have reduced Turkey to a net food importer despite its significant agricultural potential, fueling a dramatic increase in food prices that deals the hardest blows to the poorest citizens.

Turkey

Al-Bab’s historical covered marketplace back in business

Store owners at a market in al-Bab have reopened their shops, which were heavily damaged in the fight against the Islamic State.

Syria

Egypt turns jails into economic hubs to outpace inflation

As commodity prices continue to increase, Egyptians are resorting to products made in prisons under the government’s policy to encourage detainees to work and learn trades.

Egypt

Sudan, Egypt mend fraying ties

Sudan decided to lift the ban imposed on Egyptian imports more than a year ago, which raises questions about the impact of this decision on the Egyptian economy in the coming period.

Egypt

Turks spooked as government's inflation efforts fall flat

Inflation has hit a new recent high of 25% in Turkey and the president's son-in-law and finance minister is struggling to convince the public his anti-inflation plan is getting anywhere.

Turkey

Egypt facilitates investment opportunities in Africa

The Egyptian government plans to create an investment risk insurance fund to encourage Egyptians to invest more in the African continent and to help strengthen and deepen relations with African nations.

Egypt

PA, Turkey closer than ever

The death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi seems to have strengthened Turkey's position in the regional competition with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Smuggling surges as US sanctions hit Iranian rial

The Rouhani administration may not be responsible for the US sanctions hitting the Iranian economy, but it is responsible for the damage caused by smuggling and other harmful activities resulting from misguided foreign exchange policies.

Iran

Turkey’s crisis-hit construction sector threatens big fallout

Once a driving force of economic growth, Turkey’s construction sector is among the first victims of the country’s economic turmoil, threatening a contagion effect on an array of other sectors.

Turkey