Economy and trade

Iran pushes for transparency to deal with currency instability

While Iran’s push for transparency is positive, its new integrated system for hard currency transactions seems ill-prepared to manage the complexities of the Iranian currency market.

Iran

Iran’s currency tensions spur crypto ban

Iran’s recent move to ban cryptocurrencies is not only far from clear in its scope, but also likely a mere temporary fix amid efforts to combat capital flight.

Iran

Economic disobedience looms in Gaza

Gaza’s private sector is threatening to start acts of economic disobedience in a bid to pressure the Palestinian Authority and Israel into alleviating the economic crisis plaguing the enclave.

Palestine

Can 'nudge theory’ change citizens’ behavior, government policy in Lebanon?

An upcoming conference on behavioral economics in Beirut will examine a political tool that could shape national policies and improve public services.

Lebanon

Can 'de-dollarization' break Iran’s economic isolation?

While there are many risks involved with currency swaps, such endeavors do present an opportunity for Iran to enhance the stability of its economy.

Turkey

Saudi Arabia eyes Iraq's Anbar for potential investments

Riyadh is considering significant investments in Iraq's Anbar province, but is facing opposition from certain Iraqi political forces and Shiite factions.

Saudi Arabia

Egypt's street vendors face new restrictions

Egypt’s parliament is drafting a law regulating the work of street vendors, which would save street vendors from remaining under the mercy of local authorities.

Egypt

Why Iran moved to unify dual exchange rates

Iran’s government was left with no choice but to resort to unifying the official and open market currency exchange rates to tame the rial's slide during a currency crisis, which has spurred some positive efforts.

Iran

Why are Turkey’s gold reserves on the rise?

The Turkish central bank’s gold reserves have reached an unprecedented level of more than $25 billion under a strategy shift driven by a combination of financial strains and risks stemming from tensions with the United States.

Turkey

Shared airspace helps Egypt, Russia gain common ground

Tourism and joint development projects should get a boost from recently resumed flights between Cairo and Moscow.

Egypt

Will Iran’s banking sector collapse?

While Iran is certainly on the brink of a major banking crisis, the likely outcome won’t be financial collapse but rather a restructuring of banks.

Iran

Curbing inflation tops Sisi’s list of economic priorities

With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi securing a second term, many economists are still wondering how to deal with inflation and soaring prices, while questioning the future of the armed forces' participation in the economy.

Egypt