Business

NEOM Port Reshapes Global Trade Routes from Northern Saudi Arabia

Business NEOM Port in Saudi Arabia (NEOM)

NEOM Port Reshapes Global Trade Routes from Northern Saudi Arabia

On April 15, Saudi Arabia’s NEOM posted a terse but telling message on X: “Europe- Egypt- NEOM- GCC: your faster route.” Accompanied by a map, the post…

Zeinab Ali (Riyadh)
Business Dr. Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, speaks at the IMF, World Bank spring meetings. (IMF)

Azour to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Has Strong Financial Buffers to Confront War Impact

“This is a multidimensional shock.” That is how Dr. Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund,…

Hala Saghbini (Riyadh)
Business  The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP)

Alternative Routes for Middle East Oil and Gas Due to Hormuz Disruption

The US-Israeli war with Iran has disrupted shipping through ‌the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil chokepoint, exposing the Middle East's…

Business US Energy Secretary Chris Wright testifies before a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on US President Donald Trump’s budget request for the Department of Energy on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, April 21, 2026. (Reuters)

US Official Says Gas Prices Have Peaked Despite Iran War

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that gasoline prices appeared to have peaked after a surge linked to the Iran war -- a marked shift in tone a day…

Business Residential units in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Cooler Housing Prices Restore Balance to Saudi Real Estate Market

A cooling in Saudi Arabia’s residential property prices signals a notable shift toward a more balanced and sustainable phase after years of rapid gains,…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)

Business Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Director of IMF Research Department, speaks during an economic outlook briefing during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (AFP)

IMF Says World Is Drifting Toward More Adverse Growth Scenario as Energy Disruptions Continue

The world may be already drifting towards the International Monetary Fund's "adverse scenario" forecast of weaker 2.5% global growth in 2026 even as it…

Business A worker rides a bicycle at the Zubair oil field in Basra, Iraq, April 6, 2026. (Reuters)

Iraq Says Has ‘Understandings’ to Bypass Hormuz Blockade

Baghdad's oil ministry said Tuesday it has "understandings" with the United States and Iran to reduce the impact of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on…

Business Shuaibah Desalination Plant (Saudi Water Authority)

Saudi Arabia Boosts Water Efficiency with Over $26.7 Billion in Investments Since 2018

Saudi Arabia has invested about SAR100 billion ($26.7 billion) in its water sector since 2018, as part of its National Water Strategy to improve efficiency and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Gold bracelets and necklaces on display for sale in a gold shop in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (AFP)

Gold Rises as Dollar Softens, Lower Oil Prices Ease Inflation Fears

Gold prices rose on Tuesday, supported by a softer dollar and easing inflation fears as oil prices dropped on hopes of further US-Iran peace talks. Spot…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A staff works in front of a fruit shop in Beijing, China, 14 April 2026. (EPA)

China’s Exports Slowed in March While Imports Soared

China's exports grew at a slower pace last month after starting the year with a surge, official data showed Tuesday, as the global economy reels from war in…

Business Lightning occurs when META 4, an Oil Products Tanker, sails into Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman (Getty)

Trump’s Blockade of Hormuz Strait to Have Severe Economic Implications

The global economy enters a new stage of uncertainty as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces began implementing a blockade of maritime traffic…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Tareq Alangari, Lenovo Senior Vice President and President for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa. (Turki Al-Aqail)

Lenovo Chooses Riyadh as Regional Operations Hub

Global technology company Lenovo has inaugurated its regional headquarters in Riyadh, after investing more than 2 billion riyals ($532 million) in the Saudi…

Abeer Hommadi (Riyadh)
Business Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb speaks during an interview at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group’s annual spring meetings in Washington D.C., US, April 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

Pakistan Says Looking at Options to Repay $3.5 Billion UAE Loan

Pakistan is considering Eurobonds, loans from other countries and commercial debt to replace a $3.5 billion facility from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington )
Business 25 January 2019, Switzerland, Davos: Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol speaks during the Annual Meeting 2019 of the World Economic Forum. (Valeriano Di Domenico/World Economic Forum/dpa)

IEA Is Ready to Further Tap Global Oil Reserves if Needed, Chief Says

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said on Monday he hopes another oil stockpile release is not needed but "we stand ready to act" if…

Business (FILES) A Hapag Lloyd container ship is seen in Rotterdam's harbour on August 1, 2022. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)

Hapag-Lloyd Says US Plans to Block Hormuz Difficult to Assess

Germany's Hapag-Lloyd said on Monday that it is difficult to assess what effect US President Donald Trump's plans to block the Strait of Hormuz would have on…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business People shop at the fruit and vegetable market the day after negotiations between Iran and the US in Pakistan failed to produce a deal, in the capital Tehran on April 13, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

UN: Iran War Could Plunge 32 million into Poverty

More than 32 million people worldwide could be plunged into poverty by the economic fallout from the Iran war, with developing countries expected to be hit…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Gas prices are displayed at a Chevron station in Los Angeles, California, on March 31, 2026,(Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

EU Member States Must Coordinate on Energy Prices amid Iran conflict, Von Der Leyen Says

The European Union's member states must coordinate on energy prices amid a 22 billion euro ($25.70 billion) increase in fossil fuel bills since the start of…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business The Zubair Oil Field in Basra, Iraq, April 6, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty

Iraqi Oil Exports Plummet 81.3% in March Due to Hormuz Closure

Iraq’s oil exports plunged in March to 18.6 million barrels, down from 99.87 million in February – a drop of 81.3 percent - due to the closure of the Strait of…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business World Bank President Ajay Banga gives remarks during a forum held at the Atlantic Council building in Washington, D.C., US, April 7, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz

World Bank Chief Sounds Alarm about Looming Jobs Crisis Even after War Ends

The Middle East war will dominate global finance officials' talks this week in Washington, but World Bank President Ajay Banga is sounding the alarm about a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business AFP a one-ounce gold bar is displayed at Witter Coins on October 07_ 2025 in San Francisco

Gold Drops as Inflation Worries Linger on Failed US-Iran Talks

Gold prices touched a near one-week low on Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar, while a surge in oil prices following failed US-Iran peace talks fueled…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A car drives along a road during sunset near Berlin, Germany, 09 April 2026, a few days after Iran and the US announced a two-week conditional ceasefire to halt military operations. (EPA)

Euro Zone Bond Yields Rise After US-Iran Talks Collapse

Euro zone government bond ‌yields edged up on Monday towards recent peaks after the United States and Iran failed to secure a deal to end the war, pushing oil…

Business A view of the capital city Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 April 2026.  EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL

Malaysia Seizes 2 Tankers Suspected of Illegally Transferring Diesel

Malaysia's Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it has detained two tankers for allegedly conducting an illegal ship-to-ship transfer of about 700,000…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo

Oil Surges, Stocks Fall as Trump Says to Blockade Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices surged and stocks sank Monday after US-Iran peace talks fell apart and Donald Trump announced a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Al-Saif said Lenovo’s decision to establish its regional headquarters in the Kingdom reflects the strength of the Saudi economy. SPA

Saudi Investment Minister Inaugurates Lenovo Regional HQ in Riyadh

Saudi Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif inaugurated on Sunday Lenovo’s regional headquarters for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa in Riyadh, marking a…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Two Aramco employees at one of the company's facilities (Aramco)

Rapid Recovery of Oil Facilities Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Reliability as a Global Energy Supplier

Saudi Arabia demonstrated exceptional readiness and a rapid response in containing the fallout from the recent attacks on some of its oil facilities, restoring…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov looks on as Russia's President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) and Togo's President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbe (not pictured) meet at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov/Pool/File Photo

Russia Ready to Supply Gas to the EU if it Has a Surplus

Russia is ready to continue supplying gas to the European Union if there are volumes remaining after supplies to alternative markets, Russian state news agency…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Saudi and foreign investors stand in front of the logo of the giant Saudi oil company Aramco during the 10th Global Competitiveness Forum (AFP)

Saudi Energy Companies in 2025: Billion-Dollar Profits Defy Market Volatility

In 2025, the Saudi energy sector demonstrated a superior ability to fortify its financial gains and navigate global market fluctuations, achieving a net profit…

Mohammed al-Mutairi (Riyadh)
Business FILE PHOTO: International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, US, September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

Economic Shock of Mideast War to Cast Shadow over IMF, World Bank Meetings

Top finance officials from around the world will convene in Washington this week under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, which has delivered a third…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan (Government of Pakistan)

Pakistan Seeks Deeper Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan called for stronger economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia during a visit by Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, who held talks with the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Islamabad )