Economy and trade

Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties?

While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal.

Israel

How Jordan handled fuming crisis over cigarettes

Residents of the border city of Ramtha in the north of Jordan have protested recently against new government measures to curb smuggling, which would further add to their economic burdens.

Jordan

Palestinian, Israeli economies intertwined

A tour of the West Bank city of Bethlehem makes it clear that the Palestinian and Israeli economies are intertwined.

Palestine

Cash-strapped Jordan imposes new taxes; public anger ensues

Economists suggest the Jordanian government should cut its own expenses and those of its staff instead of imposing taxes that add to the people’s economic burden.

Jordan

Egypt seeks to increase exports to Africa

Despite figures indicating an increase in the Egyptian exports to Africa, there still seem to be several obstacles facing Egyptian exports to the continent.

Egypt

Iran plans revamp of national currency

The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact.

Iran

Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea

Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements.

Palestine

Russia ready to fund Palestinian industrial zone

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of establishing an industrial zone in Nablus in light of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to promote its local economy and disengage from Israel.

Palestine

Labor proposes taking Israel back to social-democrat economy

According to the economic pre-election agenda presented by Labor head Amir Peretz, the party wants to increase Israel's external debt in order to pay for social projects.

Israel

Will Egypt launch its own official digital currency?

As Facebook announced it might not launch its digital currency as previously announced, experts in Egypt are debating whether the country should regulate digital currency.

Egypt

Fire, redevelopment controversy engulf 127-year-old Cairo market

An Egyptian presidential decision to vacate and restore the Ataba market stirs traders’ fears of the government's desire to control the largest market in Cairo and turn it into an investment zone.

Egypt

Why farmers reject Egypt’s new cotton trade strategy

The Egyptian government has announced a new trading system for cotton, which would be sold through public bidding, raising the ire of farmers who already suffer from severe losses.

Egypt