Economy and trade

Australian Prime Ministry

UAE deepens Asia ties as Malaysia, Australia trade deals kick in

Asia accounts for around 60% of the world’s gross domestic product and pursuing trade deals there helps the UAE hedge against dependence on both the US and China.

United Arab Emirates

A Riyadh Metro train makes its way along a track in the middle of a road in Riyadh on December 3, 2024.

What’s next for Saudi Arabia’s budget balancing act as deficit doubles?

The Gulf state now expects a deficit of $65.3 billion in 2025 — more than double the initial forecast — as the kingdom continues heavy spending amid weak oil prices.

The Saudi delegation meets with Vietnamese officials in Hanoi, Sept. 29, 2025.

After China, Saudi industry minister visits Vietnam in eastward economic push

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met with a number of Vietnamese officials on Monday as the oil-rich Gulf kingdom looks east to diversify its economic alliances.

MAXIM SHEMETOV/AFP via Getty Images

Sudan, Russia sign trade deals as Khartoum seeks funds, Moscow eyes Red Sea port

The meeting in Moscow produced two agreements and an economic and trade cooperation protocol.

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Analysis

OECD forecasts 3.7% growth for Saudi Arabia, citing US tariff shield

Pictured is the entrance to King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah, on Feb. 3, 2009.

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

Egypt’s Sisi talks water security with Rwanda's president in wake of Ethiopia’s megadam debut

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greets his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Cairo, Sept. 23, 2025.

Turkey scraps tariffs on some US imports ahead of Erdogan-Trump meeting

US President Donald Trump (L) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) leave the stage after the family photo to head to the plenary session at the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London.

Analysis

As Carrefour retreats in Mideast, can new Gulf superstore brand advance?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

India's President Ram Nath Kovind (C) looks on as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi on Feb. 20, 2019.

As it looks East, Saudi Arabia strikes delicate balance between India, Pakistan

"Shared strategic interests" with India and Pakistan motivate Saudi Arabia to maintain diplomatic relations with both countries.

Picture from the Web Summit 2024 in Qatar.

Middle East sees 23% drop in VC funding: Qatar, Bahrain, UAE hardest hit

Qatar saw VC investments tumble by 57% to 43 million QR ($11.81 million), eclipsed only by Bahrain with an 82% drop.

A general view of processing facilities at the Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines and the subject of a dispute between Congolese authorities and the Chinese firm CMOC, southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023.

UAE eyes Zambia mine as minerals race heats up against Saudi Arabia, China

Wealthy Gulf countries are racing against China, Europe and the United States for minerals critical to powering the global green transition.

United Arab Emirates

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Chemi Peres: Israeli tech back to business, cyber security among most resilient

Despite the war and the divides within the Israeli society, tech entrepreneur Chemi Peres embraces the optimism of his father, late President Shimon Peres, for the future of the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Turkey GCC trade ministers

GCC, Turkey launch talks on free trade agreement

According to the Turkish trade minister, the new free trade agreement will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

Saudi Mining and Industry Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef addresses the Future Mineral Forum in Riyadh on Jan. 10, 2024.

Saudi Arabia offers $182M package, other incentives for mining investors

The kingdom is prioritizing the lucrative sector as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil.

European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen and Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pictured during a diplomatic meeting on Sunday 17 March 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. The Belgian Prime Minister is on a 3-day visit to Jordan, Qatar and Egypt. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Beyond migration, what does EU's $8bn package mean for Egypt?

The 27-member bloc's 7.4 billion euros in funding in the North African country will be disbursed over the next three years and cover economic and trade relations, energy and immigration.

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

Haim Zach/GPO

Analysis

India courts Israel while calling for Gaza cease-fire and expanding Gulf ties

In Jerusalem, Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval expressed his country’s support for Israel while also calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

In this photo taken on February 18, 2022 a Taliban fighter stands guard at the entrance gate of Afghan-Iran border crossing bridge in Zaranj. (Photo by Wakil KOHSAR / AFP) (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran sends delegation to Afghanistan as Taliban-Tehran ties see boost

Iran’s relations with the Taliban are seeing a thaw after a period of tension over deportation of Afghans from the Islamic Republic last year.

UK Turk

Turkey, UK to begin trade deal talks in June

The official talks, set to begin on June 10, were announced following a Thursday meeting between the countries’ trade ministers in London.

A passenger walks along the platform of the Rakosrendezo railway station, site of a controversial redevelopment by the UAE, Budapest, Jan. 12, 2024.

Hungary signs $5.5B deal with UAE firm to develop Budapest neighborhood

The new project around the Rakosrendezo freight train station is expected to bring the futuristic, high-rise style of Dubai and other Emirates to the Hungarian capital.

United Arab Emirates

BILS Facebook announcement.

Israeli cryptocurrency exchange to launch shekel-backed stablecoin

Stablecoins, which are digital currencies that are pegged to stable assets such as fiat currencies, have a degree of appeal in the Middle East.