Economy and trade

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US Senate approves repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria: What to know

The 2019 Caesar Act imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria to hold the government accountable for human rights abuses committed during the country’s civil war.

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%.

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

Australian Prime Ministry

United Arab Emirates

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

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Turkey’s economy up 11%, but growth brings risk

Turkey’s flashy growth rate in 2021 has been accompanied by a dangerous uptick in inflation and appears bound to drop sharply this year.

Badatz kosher-certification supervisors at work, February 2022.

Analysis

Ultra-Orthodox kosher certification body becomes commercial giant

The extreme ultra-Orthodox Badatz kosher certification has become a giant commercial body much courted by big food-production companies.

Israel Hershkovitz

By Israel Hershkovitz

Syrian pounds are pictured at a currency exchange shop in the town of Sarmada, in northwestern Idlib province, Syria, June 15, 2020.

Idlib weighs cashless economy to address hardship

A research and studies department in a local investment company affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib suggested turning Idlib into a cashless society, as a solution to price increases and inflation.

Rough diamonds for sale at Koin International in Dubai, June 3, 2021, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Israeli diamond exchange opens office in Dubai

The Israeli and Emirati diamond sectors pledged to do business together following the signing of the Abraham Accords.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

Israel Morocco

Analysis

Israel hopes to triple trade with Morocco

Israel and Morocco have signed a trade and investment cooperation agreement, with Israel aspiring to enlarge its annual trade volume with Morocco from $131 million to $500 million.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Cargo ships are moored along a dock at the port of Haifa, Israel, June 24, 2021.

Analysis

Turkish company disqualified from tender to operate Israel’s Haifa port

Israeli intelligence agencies fear that a French-Lebanese company, associated with Turkish company Yilport, which is interested in operating the Haifa port, could be affiliated with Hezbollah.

Danny Zaken

In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel

Lebanese anti-government protesters take part in a candlelight vigil outside the headquarters of Lebanon Electricity company in Beirut on Nov. 11, 2019.

Lebanese wary of rise of customs duties amid economic crisis

The cash-strapped Lebanese government has approved a draft budget law for 2022 that hikes the customs dollar and imposes new duties, as the country battles a severe economic crisis.

Senior Turkish delegation hosted at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem for bilateral talks, Feb. 17, 2022.

Analysis

Israel-Turkey ties warm in diplomacy, security

Ahead of the visit to Ankara of President Isaac Herzog, Turkey multiplies its goodwill gestures toward Israel.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Saudi bank

Digital bank backed by Saudi sovereign wealth fund gets approval

The D360 Bank, which aims to operate locally, will be the third digital bank in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom's diversification efforts continue.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

People queue outside Megasis, the first Iranian supermarket in Venezuela, in Caracas on July 31, 2020.

Direct Iran-Venezuela flights to begin next month

A Venezuelan official said the South American country wants to attract Iranian tourists.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

An Egyptian woman casts her vote at a polling station, Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 9, 2005.

Egypt empowers disabled with entrepreneurship incubator

Egypt will establish a new incubator to help entrepreneurs with disabilities turn their projects into viable businesses, as the Arab country aspires to turn this segment of society into a driving force of economic growth.

Yemen currency

Divergent currency values make life even harder in Yemen

Yemenis continue to bear the brunt of the war, including a devastated economy and banknotes that may have no value depending on which part of the country they visit.