Business

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

Business A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

World food prices edged lower in October as weaker import demand contributed to monthly declines in cereal, dairy and meat prices, but were still nearly 6%…

Business Copper at the Aurubis copper smelting and refining plant in Hamburg, Germany. (Reuters)

Copper Falls, Set for Worst Week Since March on AI Rout

Copper dropped on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop in London since March, as a rout in technology stocks battered markets. Benchmark three…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Workers walk at Kalyon Karapinar solar power plant in Karapinar, Konya province, Türkiye, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP)

Emerging Economies Set to Match Advanced Nations’ Renewable Capacity Additions, IEA Says

Emerging ‌and developing economies outside China are expected to add as much new renewable energy capacity as advanced economies for the first time over…

Business Gold bracelets displayed in a shop window on Green Street, east London, UK, April 30, 2024. (AFP)

Gold Drops Over 1% on Higher Oil Prices; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold prices slipped on Friday as oil prices rebounded, fanning inflation worries and higher-for-longer interest rate expectations, while investors awaited key…

Business A pumpjack operates near Bakersfield, California, on Oct. 16. (AFP)

Oil Set for Sharp Weekly Drop but Middle East Supply Concerns Provide Floor

Oil prices are set for a sharp weekly drop on expectations of a de-escalation of the Iran war after US President Donald Trump's party suffered election losses,…


Business The EU has spent two years making an intensive effort to develop reforms to spending rules. PHILIPPE HUGUEN / AFP/File

EU Reaches Agreement on Spending Rules

The European Parliament and member states reached an agreement early Saturday on reforms to EU budgetary rules aimed at boosting investment while keeping…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Hydrogen is an important source of clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. (Reuters)

ACWA Power: Necessary Studies Underway for Green Hydrogen Project in Egypt

Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power Saudi Arabia Raad Al-Saady revealed that necessary studies to develop the green hydrogen project in Egypt…

Ayat Nur (Riyadh)
Business World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh (SPA)

Saudi Investment Ministry Signs 12 MoUs with Int’l Companies at World Defense Show 2024

The Ministry of Investment has concluded its participation in the World Defense Show 2024, held in Riyadh, where it showcased available investment…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Abdullah Al-Khater, CEO of Barzan Holdings, receives a visitor at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

CEO of Barzan Holdings: We Aim to Localize, Attract Defense Industries in Qatar

CEO of Barzan Holdings Abdullah Al-Khater said the company aims to strengthen defense industries and attract defense technology to Qatar. In an interview…

Mosaed al-Zayani (Riyadh)
Business Capital Economics research institution said that inflation in January was lower than its expectations of 34% (Reuters)

Egypt's Annual Inflation Rate Drops to 29.8% in January

Egypt's annual urban consumer price inflation dropped to 29.8% in January from 33.7% in December, the state statistics agency said on Thursday. According to…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)
Business Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid al-Mudaifer at the Conference. (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry: Govt Support, Int’l Cooperation Essential to Confront Mineral Supply Challenges

Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid al-Mudaifer stressed the importance of government support and international…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cape Town)
Business World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh (SPA)

World Defense Show Concludes in Riyadh with $7 Bn Contracts

The second edition of the World Defense Show 2024 concluded in Riyadh with the signing of 61 purchase contracts worth $7 billion. Over 773…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business The Saudi Tourism Authority has signed an MoU with Switzerland Tourism. SPA

Saudi Arabia, Switzerland Sign MoU to Bolster Tourism Collaboration

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has signed an MoU with Switzerland Tourism to bolster collaboration in the tourism sector. CEO and Board Member of the STA…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil Heads for Weekly Gains after Israel Rejects Ceasefire Offer

Oil prices were little changed on Friday, staying on track for weekly gains, with tensions persisting in the Middle East after Israel rejected a ceasefire…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Discussions addressed drivers for growth as well as topics of mutual interest. SPA

Economy and Planning Minister Discusses Saudi Economic Performance with IMF Delegation

Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim has discussed the performance of the Saudi economy in 2023 with a delegation from the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business Maersk noted the uncertainty in the 2024 earnings and expected them to be well below last year’s level. (The company’s website)

Maersk Suspended Its Share Buyback Program amid Red Sea Disruptions

Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk on Thursday reported fourth-quarter profits below expectations and said it expects 2024 earnings well below last…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A man walks amid apartment buildings of the Maltepe district, Istanbul, Turkey, 03 April 2023. (Issued 05 February 2024)  EPA/ERDEM SAHIN

Türkiye: New Central Bank Chief Pledges to Maintain Tight Policy

The new head of Türkiye's central bank said on Thursday the bank will maintain its tight policy stance until inflation drops to target, as it held its year-end…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil Prices Rise as Red Sea Attacks Continue

Oil prices climbed Wednesday as hostilities in the Red Sea continued with more attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Building on the inaugural event's success, FII PRIORITY Miami 2024 aims to be a pivotal platform for global leaders, investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists, cultural figures, media, and FII Institute members

FII Institute Announces Second Edition of FII PRIORITY Miami Summit for 2024

The FII Institute has announced the return of the FII PRIORITY Miami summit, themed ‘On the Edge of a New Frontier’. The event is set to take place on February…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business  People attend to the 55th edition of Cairo International Book Fair, at Egypt's International Exhibition Center, in Cairo, Egypt, February 6, 2024. (Reuters)

Egypt Raises Minimum Wage by 50% as Part of ‘Urgent’ Package

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has raised the monthly minimum wage by 50% to 6,000 pounds ($194) to take effect in March, part of a 180 billion pound …

Business Xaynor is the latest addition to the evolving regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

NEOM Announces Xaynor Exclusive Private Members Club

The Board of Directors of NEOM announced Xaynor, a beachfront private members club, nestled among the rocky landscapes along the pristine coastline of the Gulf…

Business Container ships sail through Egypt’s Suez Canal. (Reuters)

Egypt's Trade Deficit Drops to $36.9 Bn in 2023

Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir said on Tuesday the country's trade balance deficit declined by $11.158 billion in 2023 to $36.908 billion,…

Business PIF Governor Yasser al-Rumayyan during his opening speech at the Private Sector Forum (Asharq Al-Awsat)

PIF Provides Private Sector with $25.6 Bn Investment Opportunities

The value of private sector investments in portfolio companies and projects affiliated with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) amounted to $25.6 billion as of Q3…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business SERB’s booth at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s ‘SERB’ Unveils Locally-Made Unmanned Aircraft

SERB, a Saudi company for advanced industries, showcased four locally-made drones at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia…

Business AlUla Governorate is one of the most attractive places for tourists in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

How Did Saudi Arabia Achieve the 100 Million Visitors Target in 2023?

Recent statements by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib, who said that the Kingdom attained the objectives of Vision 2030 by receiving more than 100…

Mohammed al-Mutairi (Riyadh)
Business The second edition of the World Defense Show is currently held in Riyadh. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)

SAMI Develops Industrial Complex for Defense Ground Systems

The Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI), a wholly-owned Public Investment Fund company, is scheduled to complete construction of an industrial complex for…

Ayat Nur (Riyadh)
Business Officials are seen at the signing ceremony. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Railways Purchases 10 Next Generation Passenger Trains for Growing Network

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) signed a contract with Stadler, a Swiss rail infrastructure and train manufacturer, for the supply and maintenance of ten next…

Business Saudi PIF Launches New Local Business Opportunities at PIF Private Sector Forum 2024

Saudi PIF Launches New Local Business Opportunities at PIF Private Sector Forum 2024

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) held its second PIF Private Sector Forum on Tuesday along with its accompanying exhibition in Riyadh, to foster…

Business A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saud National Day. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Arabia Received Record 100 million Tourists in 2023

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb said the tourism sector in the Kingdom achieved its goal of hosting 100 million tourists in 2023. Of…