Economy

Lebanese-Saudi Economic Ties: A Fresh Start?
ExplainerLebanese-Saudi Economic Ties: A Fresh Start?

Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a key economic partner for Lebanon. Before the 2021 decline in relations, largely driven by the Hezbollah issue, Lebanese exports to the Kingdom were substantial, particularly in agriculture, food products, textiles, and handicrafts. These exports were a vital source of foreign currency for Lebanon's economy. ...

Figure of the Week: 800,000 Vehicles in Lebanon Without Mandatory Insurance
Numbers & FiguresFigure of the Week: 800,000 Vehicles in Lebanon Without Mandatory Insurance

In 2024, out of the 2,000,000 vehicles in Lebanon's automotive fleet, 800,000 are not registered with the Vehicle Registration Department and, as a result, lack mandatory auto liability insurance. This means there is roughly one car for every two residents, in a country where public transportation is virtually non-existent. The mandatory ...

Stocks diverge as investors weigh earnings, Trump policies
Stocks diverge as investors weigh earnings, Trump policies

Global stocks diverged on Friday as investors weighed corporate earnings, economic data and President Donald Trump's policies. Meanwhile the US dollar lost more than one percent against the euro and pound following the US president's comments about not wanting to impose tariffs on China and calling for lower interest rates. The S&P 500 edged ...

IMF chief tells Europe to take page out of US book
IMF chief tells Europe to take page out of US book

With the European economy lagging behind the United States, the head of the International Monetary Fund had a piece advice for the continent on Friday: "Believe in yourself." There was much handwringing about Europe losing its competitive edge at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, with the European Union racing to act to catch up with ...

Eurozone business activity rebounds in January
Eurozone business activity rebounds in January

Business activity in the eurozone bounced back in January after a two-month contraction, as the pace of decline eased in the manufacturing sector, a closely watched survey showed Friday. The HCOB Flash Eurozone purchasing managers' index (PMI) published by S&P Global registered a figure of 50.2 for the single-currency area, after 49.6 in ...

Saudis showcase charm offensive in Davos
Saudis showcase charm offensive in Davos

Two buildings branded "Saudi House" and "Saudi At Davos" stand out on the chic main street of the Swiss Alpine village hosting the World Economic Forum, showcasing the kingdom's growing presence at major international events. Saudi officials and business leaders make the annual pilgrimage to the meeting of the world's global elites every year, ...

Climate change cooks up Japanese 'cabbage shock'
Climate change cooks up Japanese 'cabbage shock'

Japan's much-loved "tonkatsu" pork cutlets come with a mound of freshly shredded cabbage, but a surge in the price of the humble vegetable has prompted chef Katsumi Shinagawa to skimp on servings. The culprit is a changing climate. Last year's record summer heat and heavy rain ruined crops, driving up the cost of the leafy green in what media ...

Lebanon Launches National Drought Management Plan to Address Climate Challenges
Lebanon Launches National Drought Management Plan to Address Climate Challenges

On Thursday, caretaker Minister of Agriculture Abbas al-Hajj Hassan launched Lebanon’s National Drought Management Plan, in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. This plan is the first of its kind in Lebanon’s efforts to combat drought, positioning Lebanon among the last Arab countries to implement such a ...

Alfa and Touch Employees Near Agreement With Management
Alfa and Touch Employees Near Agreement With Management

The management teams of mobile operators Alfa and Touch, along with the employee union, have developed a clear vision to address issues that have remained unresolved for nearly a year, including the signing of the collective labor agreement and salary adjustments. During a Thursday meeting between the management of Alfa and Touch and members of ...

Syria's Economy Reborn After Being Freed from Assad
Syria's Economy Reborn After Being Freed from Assad

When Bashar al-Assad ruled Syria, merchants like Youssef Rajab kept much of their imported stock hidden for fear of arrest for breaking the law. But after an Islamist-led coalition toppled Assad in a lightning offensive last month, Rajab put previously banned foreign goods such as chocolate, biscuits and shampoo back on the shelf. Such products ...

Turkey Cuts benchmark Interest Rate to 45%
Turkey Cuts benchmark Interest Rate to 45%

Turkey's central bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate to 45 percent after inflation weakened further last month, though it said prices could have started rising again in January. The move came after the central bank cut its rate for the first time in two years in December, saying its efforts to tame sky-high inflation were starting to ...

Billionaire Bloomberg Pledges to Cover U.S. Climate Contributions After Trump’s Withdrawal
Billionaire Bloomberg Pledges to Cover U.S. Climate Contributions After Trump’s Withdrawal

After Donald Trump’s announcement of a new U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, American billionaire Michael Bloomberg committed on Thursday to cover, on behalf of the federal government, any unpaid U.S. contributions to the UN Climate body. Just like during Trump's first term, the businessman, who is opposed to the Republican and ...