Economy and trade

A platform for the satellite launcher is seen ahead of the Shenzhou-19 mission to the Tiangong space station at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in China's northwestern Gansu province, on Oct. 29, 2024.

Analysis

From Sputnik to satellites: How China is pulling Egypt and Gulf into its space orbit

Beijing is emerging as a key partner for Middle Eastern and North African states seeking to develop satellites, navigation services and space industries of their own.

Dale Aluf

In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East

Saudi Air Force advanced F-15SA fighter jets perform during a ceremony in Riyadh on Jan. 25, 2017.

Analysis

2025: Why Gulf defense megadeals finally met reality

From fighter jet debates to drones and megadeals, Gulf defense planners are shifting from political signaling to tangible results.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on Aug. 28, 2025.

Feature

Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025

Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

View of Damietta Segas LNG Terminal, in Damietta, Egypt, which is an export terminal belong to Spanish Egyptian Gas Company.

Analysis

Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership

The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game

Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Iranian 100 rial banknotes.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare

Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

Traffic moves on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 24, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat

A ship sails along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia, April 16, 2025.

Gaza's clothing makers look to weave their way back into Israeli markets

For the first time in 10 years, a Palestinian sewing company in Gaza exports a shipment of clothes to the Israeli market.

The business of war: Egypt, others eye reconstruction bids

Despite lingering security concerns, Egypt is seeking a substantial, lucrative role in rebuilding Syria and Iraq.

Stock market employees work at Tehran's Stock Exchange, Iran, January 17, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMAATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - GF20000097701

Iranian shareholders face rocky road ahead

While the Tehran Stock Exchange has recently reversed its downward trend, fundamental interest rate and exchange rate reform are necessary to maintain the upward momentum.

Iranian Foreign Ministry set for sweeping change

Having spent most of his first term negotiating the nuclear deal, Iran’s foreign minister is now set to implement sweeping structural changes in the Foreign Ministry.

People are seen near a ship crossing the Suez Canal near Ismailia port city, 120 km (75 miles) northeast of Cairo, June 13, 2013. A plan by Egypt's Islamist-led government to develop the land along the Suez Canal faces fierce opposition in districts that have been flashpoints for violence before, and may even threaten traffic on the strategic waterway. REUTERS/Stringer (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) - GM1E96E0CMG01

New Suez Canal income slowly sinking

The new Suez Canal is now two years old and facing public scrutiny, as it is far from achieving what officials pledged.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
Artin Markosian, professor at Isfahan's Art University, measures a carpet during his visit to Iran's Persian handmade carpet fair in Isfahan, 450 km (280 miles) south of Tehran, November 14, 2011. Persian carpet weaving is a historical part of Iranian culture, dating back to as far as approximately 2,000 years ago. Persian carpets can be mostly divided into th

After years of sanctions, Persian rugs back to brighten world markets

Iran’s world-renowned handwoven carpets are already making a strong comeback in global markets following the lifting of sanctions.

New industrial policy poised to transform Iran’s political economy

Iran’s lighter fingerprints on foreign investment and enterprise are gearing things up for a transformation of the country’s political economy.

Foreigners take hold of Turkey’s food sector

Amid a series of high-profile foreign takeovers in Turkey’s food industry led by Japanese investors, many are worried that the country is losing its self-sufficiency in food.

An Egyptian farmer holds a handful of freshly harvested wheat grains during the launch of the Government's local wheat harvest at a field in Beni Suef, south of Cairo, Egypt April 24, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC1375790070

Despite Egypt's wheat self-sufficiency plan, imports increase

Egypt is importing unprecedented quantities of wheat, despite a recent expansion in cultivated lands and wheat cultivation, raising doubts about the feasibility of the government's plans to achieve wheat self-sufficiency.

Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil attends an agreements signing ceremony with between Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (unseen) at the El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt October 5, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTSS3SL

Cairo seeks to boost trade with Ankara, overlooking political deadlock

Tarek Kabil, Egypt’s minister of trade and industry, said it is not in Egypt’s interest to hinder trade activities with Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) poses with European Council President Donald Tusk (R) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (L) in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir - RTX37KFD

Turkey-EU tensions spill over to customs union accord

Amid mounting bilateral tensions, Germany has ruled out talks on improving Turkey’s customs union accord with the European Union, but such sanctions might have little effect on Ankara in the short term.

Construction labourers work on a bridge to link the Cairo-Banha highway at the agricultural road which leads to the capital city of Cairo, Egypt October 13, 2016. Picture taken October 13, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTSS9FW

Anti-dumping duties may worsen Egypt's economy

Experts examine the possible motivations and consequences behind anti-dumping duties imposed on imported steel by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry.