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The Egyptian pound strengthened below EGP 48 per dollar for the first time since the 2024 float, boosted by record reserves, tourism, and remittances. Analysts see the rise as temporary, with forecasts split between further gains and a return to weakness.

The IMF has raised Saudi Arabia’s 2025 growth forecast to 3.5%, citing resilience to global shocks, Vision 2030 projects, and strong domestic demand. Non-oil GDP is expected to expand at the same pace, supported by major investments, credit growth, and reforms that bolster investor confidence. Inflation is set to remain stable at 2%, while unemployment continues to hit record lows. The IMF praised Saudi reforms, the Central Bank’s role in liquidity stability, and the government’s fiscal strategies, signaling strong momentum for long-term diversification and economic resilience despite global uncertainties.

Egypt topped North Africa in tourism revenues for 2025, generating $8.05 billion in the first half of the year, a 22% increase, with tourist arrivals up 25%. The country aims to reach $18.3 billion in total revenues by year-end and attract 30 million tourists annually by 2030 through major infrastructure investments, hotel expansion, and incentives. Egypt also plans to boost yacht tourism, targeting $3 billion in revenues and a 30% share of Mediterranean and Red Sea yacht traffic within five years.

This article focuses on Mohamed Mansour’s unstoppable rise. Once stripped of his family fortune and forced to work in a pizza shop, Mohamed Mansour defied illness, poverty, and political setbacks to become one of the Arab world’s most powerful businessmen. Now worth USD3.5 billion, the Egyptian billionaire built a global empire—from auto giants like General Motors and Caterpillar to early investments in Facebook, Spotify, and AI startups. His journey is a masterclass in resilience, risk-taking, and reinvention—and it’s far from over. Discover how Mansour turned personal hardship into unstoppable wealth and global influence.

Egypt is witnessing a surge in business tourism as high-net-worth foreign investors visit to explore lucrative opportunities across sectors, fuelled by the country’s recent economic reforms and political stability. Executives from global firms are driving demand for premium stays, spending up to USD 15,000 a night in North Coast villas and $10,000 in Nile-view suites in Cairo. Business tourism now ranks as the top-earning segment, boosted by rising interest from Chinese and Indian markets. To grow the private sector contribution to tourism to 75 percent by 2030, Egypt is fast becoming a magnet for investment-driven travel.

On April 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a new, comprehensive tariff policy, imposing a 10 percent tariff on all Egyptian exports to the US. Trump also imposed higher tax rates on certain countries that were deemed to have unfair trade practices. ****Please note that for the next 90 days, the tariffs have been revoked by US President Trump.

The Egyptian economy is expected to continue its recovery this year, especially after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Egypt's proposal to re-prioritise reforms related to the programme agreed upon by the IMF’s management and after Egypt approved the fourth tranche of the IMF's loan.

A historic security understanding reflects Saudi Arabia's role in addressing sensitive issues and calming the border dispute between the two countries. It affirms Riyadh's commitment to supporting security and stability in Arab countries.

 The World Bank estimates that the Syrian economy shrank by nearly half from 2010 to 2021, but it believes this estimate is significantly lower. More accurate calculations show that the Syrian economy shrank 84 percent between 2010 and 2023. Our correspondent in Egypt, Ahmad Abdel Rahman, explains.

Libya has enormous economic potential, abundant natural resources, and a great location, which means it's a promising Arab economy. However, there are challenges.

After more than a year of instability in the Red Sea region, Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority, said that the situation in the Red Sea region is now witnessing many positive indicators, writes our correspondent in Egypt, Ahmad Abdel Rahman.

What has been happening in the Middle East in recent days is like "testing the waters." It is akin to football, where, in the initial stages of a match, one team examines the other before deciding how to proceed.

Anyone who thinks that the war in Gaza is over is living in dreamland, as the agreement that was concluded could be thwarted at any time.

Both current President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden raced to announce they had reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which included exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Each of them claimed that the credit goes to his efforts in reaching an agreement. But who should get the credit?

Syria's importance stems from its role as the logistical corridor for Iranian supply lines to Hezbollah and as the only Arab ally since the Iran-Iraq war. It was also an outlet to the Mediterranean. Moreover, Tehran will not be able to rebuild Hezbollah militarily.

The Egyptian government has confirmed that a tax on imported phones will be imposed. This would enhance local industry and support Egyptian companies.

Syria wasn't just an internal conflict but an arena for settling regional and international scores. The events in Gaza and the repeated wars with Israel strengthen the image of armed Islamic movements as "defenders of just causes," increasing their popularity in certain circles.

Turkish support for the new leaders of Damascus has made Iran consider Ankara a strong competitor, turning Syria into an arena for competition between Turkey and Iran. Is Tehran e trying to reach an agreement with the Kurds to oppose Turkish interests and make Syria an unstable space for the Turks?

Over the past 10 years, Egypt, in partnership with the UN, has made great efforts to achieve sustainable development, address poverty and climate change, and empower women and youth.

Cairo's exports to the BRICS countries increased by 13 percent during the first eight months of this year.

Israel's economy staggers and suffers heavy losses as global rating agencies downgrade its credit rating.

Late payments are causing a severe financial strain on small businesses in New Zealand, with the cost of overdue payments increasing by 81 percent from 2021 to 2023, reaching $827 million. Larger corporations are often delaying payments, which disrupts cash flow for small businesses, some of which face challenges paying rent and staff. This issue is worsened by high inflation and interest rates, putting additional pressure on small businesses and the broader economy. To combat this, experts suggest that digital solutions, like e-invoicing and automated payment reminders, could help streamline payment processes and improve cash flow. Platforms like Xero are stepping in to support small businesses by offering digital tools designed to reduce payment delays and encourage timely invoice settlements. These solutions could also contribute billions to New Zealand's GDP, highlighting digitalization as a key strategy for economic recovery and growth.