Economy and trade

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih with Moroccan Industry Minister Riad Mezzour

Saudi investment minister visits Morocco, Senegal on Africa trade drive

Saudi Arabia has pledged more than $41 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs the annual meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states foreign ministers, known as the Caspian Five, in Moscow, on Dec. 5, 2023.

Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills

The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations.

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

World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound

The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%.

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

Latest News

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

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

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

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

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

MAXIM SHEMETOV/AFP via Getty Images

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

Cruise ship A Sara is moored on the Nile River, where 45 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected and evacuated two days prior, Luxor, Egypt, March 9, 2020.

Egypt charges tourist ships in dollars as greenback crisis spirals

Egypt commits tourist boats arriving in its ports to pay in US dollars amid a tough dollar shortage crisis in the populous country.

Shlomi Amsalem/GPO/Israeli Foreign Ministry

Israel's new embassy in Turkmenistan sends message to Iran

After a visit to Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen traveled to Turkmenistan to inaugurate Israel’s permanent embassy in Ashgabat.

This handout image provided by the UAE's Presidential Court on April 15, 2023, shows UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Abu Dhabi

In UAE, Brazil’s Lula looks east for climate investments, peace brokering

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva looks to exert Brazil's power in a geopolitical landscape that has significantly shifted since he last held office.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) walks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of a meeting in New Delhi on January 25, 2017. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on an official visit to India and will be the guest of honour at the country's forthcoming Republic Day celebrations. / AFP / Money SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

US, India, UAE, Israel announce creation of I2U2 joint business coalition

The new coalition will see officials and business councils from the four countries collaborate to attract private sector partners to the I2U2 initiative.

A Lebanese demonstrator returns a tear gas canister that was fired by security forces during a protest demanding better pay and living conditions in the capital Beirut on April 18, 2023. - Lebanese security forces fired tear gas at protesters demonstrating in Beirut on Wednesday against deteriorating living conditions, as the currency plummeted to new lows against the dollar. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon raises minimum wage from $27 to $92 a month

Hundreds of retired soldiers protested outside government headquarters as the Cabinet discussed an increase in public sector salaries.

An Azerbaijani national flag flies next to the mediaeval Khudaferin bridge in Jebrayil district at the country's border with Iran - the territories recaptured from Armenian forces in fierce clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that were under Armenian separatists' control for nearly three decades, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Signaling Iran, Israel's FM visits Azerbaijan, will open embassy in Turkmenistan

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is holding meetings in Azerbaijan before traveling to Turkmenistan, where he will inaugurate Israel’s embassy.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) inspects an honor guard with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony held outside the Great Hall of the People on April 14, 2023 in Beijing, China.

Brazil signs $12.65 billion in deals with UAE, China amid struggling economy

Brazil signed agreements worth $2.53 billion with the UAE and $10.12 billion with China.

A protester rides his bicycle amid ongoing demonstrations against the government's judicial reform bill, in Tel Aviv on April 15, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel in budget deficit in another fallout post Moody’s downgrade

The credit rating agency downgraded Israel’s credit outlook due to the judicial reform controversy in the country.

Khartoum on fire

Airlines suspend Sudan flights after Saudi plane hit by gunfire

A number of Middle Eastern airlines have banned flights after the power struggle between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group turned deadly on Saturday.

Saudi and foreign journalists are pictured at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) badge collection centre.

Saudi Arabia opens four special economic zones with eye on foreign investment

The special economic zones offer incentives such as competitive corporate tax rates, 100% ownership of companies and flexibility in employing foreign labor.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: April 14, 2023, 8:33 pm

Moody’s downgrades Israel’s credit outlook

Despite calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, Moody's has changed Israel's credit outlook from "positive" to "stable."

Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Turkey, Egypt inch closer to restoring ties as FMs meet in Ankara

The former Eastern Mediterranean rivals are on the path to rapprochement, but there are no plans for the return of ambassadors as of yet.