Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials. Egypt
Canada, UAE sign trade pact as Ottawa seeks to diversify beyond US The agreement is set to broadly lift tariffs on key products as Canadian officials hope to boost bilateral trade to $7 billion within a decade. United Arab Emirates
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Saudi Arabia postpones 'Davos in the Desert' until 2027 amid Houthi attacks The Future Investment Initiative, which typically attracts the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in business, finance, and technology to Riyadh, will now be held next year. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Syrian crisis dictates peace between Damascus and Ankara The Russian side is said to be developing two strategies to thwart Turkey’s possible objections to cultural autonomy for Syrian Kurds. Syria
New business council to provide network, funds for Rafah's budding businesswomen Palestinian women have started small businesses to make ends meet, but a new council aims to lead them to fields such as electronics or high-end products. Palestine
Greenback weakening in Egypt as economy improves Egypt’s pound continues to grow stronger against the US dollar in 2020, thanks to gains in foreign investment, tourism and exports. Egypt
Despite US efforts, Ethiopia-Egypt dam spat holds strong A meeting in Washington produced agreement on some items to be included in a final accord to fill and operate the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, but failed to resolve significant, long-standing sticking points between Egypt and Ethiopia. Egypt
Egypt promotes local products More factories are ready to join the Egyptian president’s initiative to promote local products, which economists believe will boost the economy and fight unemployment. Egypt
Netanyahu — not Mr. Security, not Mr. Economy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers that Israel’s growing deficit will not come up on the March election agenda. Israel
Israel’s economy victim of political gridlock Without a new state budget, without new senior officials and without new reforms, Israel’s economy is one of the biggest victims of the current political chaos. Israel
Are Sisi’s state assets law amendments well-intentioned? Egypt is to pass amendments to a law that would give Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the right to transfer the ownership of state assets to Egypt’s sovereign wealth fund without facing any objections. Egypt
National campaign to support domestic goods on rise in Iraq Iraqi protesters launched campaigns to support the national goods and boycott foreign and Iranian goods in particular. Originals
Economics or politics: What's driving Turkey’s electric car project? The limited scope of Turkey’s electric car project points to political motives by a government under strain rather than economic goals to help transition the automotive industry. Turkey
Egypt’s military adds new factory to industrial portfolio Egypt’s military signed a deal with a Chinese company to establish a car tire factory, further tightening its grip over the country's industrial sectors. Egypt
Russia weighs two reconstruction strategies for Syria In the face of US sanctions, Moscow is considering whether the outsourcing of reconstruction efforts for Syria may be better for Russia than a long-term presence. Syria