• China records expansion in factory activity for first time in six months

    Shenzhen, China--China's manufacturing activity expanded for the first time in six months in March. The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 50.8 in March from 49.1 in February, above the 50-mark separating growth from contraction and topping a median forecast of 49.9. Though the pace of growth was modest,...
  • GCC, Japan resume Free Trade Agreement negotiations

    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--Looking to consolidate trade and investment ties, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Japan announced their resumption of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. In this regard the two sides signed a joint statement on the sidelines of the meeting held here today between Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister...
  • Pro-Iran parties urge Iraq to clear energy dues with Tehran

    BAGHDAD, IRAQ - A powerful alliance of pro-Iran factions in Iraq called on Sunday on Baghdad to pressure the United States to unlock pending payments to Tehran for crucial gas imports. Iraq, ravaged by decades of conflict and international sanctions, relies on gas imported from its eastern neighbor for a third...
  • Iraq exports crude oil worth over US$7bn in June 2023

    BAGHDAD, IRAQ -   Total crude oil exports in June reached over 100 million barrels, the Iraqi government said in a statement. The preliminary statistics issued by the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) revealed that total crude oil exports in June generated revenue of approximately US$7.115 billion. The majority of these...
  • Jordan medical, pharmaceutical exports see 30% growth in first 5 months of 2023

    AMMAN, JORDAN  -  The pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector of Jordan has experienced an impressive 29.7 percent growth in exports during the first five months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year. Fadi Al-Atrash, the sector's representative at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, revealed that exports from...
  • Jordan’s exports to non-Arab Asian countries climb to US$1.16bn in Q1

    Amman, Jordan-- Trade between Jordan and non-Arab Asian countries has shot up in the first quarter of 2023, with the value of the kingdom's exports to the countries surging to about $1.16 billion, compared to about $1.07 billion for the same period last year, according to foreign trade data issued...
  • UAE, Armenia non-oil trade reaches $1.53bn in 2022

    Yerevan, Armenia – Non-oil trade volume between the UAE and Armenia reached $1.53 billion in 2022, with a growth rate of 673 percent compared to 2021, the UAE news agency Wam reported on Friday.  The total UAE non-oil exports to Armenia amounted to almost $229 million in 2022, with a...
  • Saudi Arabia’s imports from GCC states drop 15% to $1.49bn in Apr

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s imports from Gulf Cooperation Council countries fell 15 percent year-on-year to SAR 5.6 billion ($1.49 billion) in April 2023, compared to SAR 6.57 billion in 2022, the Kingdom's General Authority for Statistics said. Compared with March 2023, the Kingdom's imports from GCC dropped by...
  • Iran’s oil exports surge to 1.9 million barrels per day in May

    In spite of economic sanctions imposed by the Western governments against Iran, the country has seen its oil exports surge in May to 1.9 million barrels per day. According to its oil minister, the energy diplomacy and its strengthening relations with countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have helped...
  • Iraq-UK economic ties strengthen on back of uptick in trade

    London, UK--Volume of trade exchanges between the UK and Iraq has exceeded one billion dollars and imports and exports between the two nations have been significantly growing, a senior British official said on Friday. Lord Tariq Ahmad, the British Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa and South...
  • In spite of US sanctions, Iran’s crude oil exports break five-year record

    Tehran, Iran-- In spite of the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Iran has seen a huge surge in the export of crude oil in 2023 to China, Syria, Venezuela, according to reports. According to media reports, Iranian crude shipments continued to rise in 2023 with higher shipments to China,...
  • Iran-Turkey trade to hit US$15bn on back of private sector cooperation

    Tehran, Iran-- Bilateral trade between Iran and Turkey is expected to vault to US$15 billion by 2025 on the back of deeper cooperation with the private sector. According to a senior official in Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) trade with Turkey will easily reach $15 billion in early March 2025...
  • EU bicycle exports surged to US$1.1bn in 2022

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -  The EU exported US$1.1 billion (€1.1 billion) worth of bicycles in 2022 (both electric and non-electric, a rise of 22 percent compared with 2021), according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union on the World Bicycle Day. The imports were double the exports, with US$2.6...
  • UAE exports to reach $544bn by 2030, says Standard Chartered report

    DUBAI, UAE -  The UAE is poised to play a pivotal role in global trade with its exports projected to reach around US$544 billion (AED2 trillion) by 2030, showcasing a robust annual growth rate of 5.5 percent. according to a Standard Chartered research study. The report, titled 'Future of Trade:...
  • Saudi merchandize exports down 14.6% in Q1 as oil exports fall

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's merchandize exports decreased by 14.6 percent in Q1 2023, compared to Q1 2022, a report by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said. The value of exports amounted to SAR 313.5 billion ($83.6bn) in Q1 2023, down from SAR 367.1 billion ($97.86bn) in Q1...
  • Jordan’s total exports up 6 percent in Q1 of 2023

    Amman, Jordan - Jordan's total exports experienced positive growth of 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2023, reaching a total of JD2.118 billion ($2.98 billion). This is compared to JD1.993 billion ($2.80 billion) recorded in the same period of 2022, according to official figures. Monthly data released by the...
  • Brazil’s exports to Arab countries $5.16bn in four months, up 10%

    Dubai, UAE -- Brazilian exports to Arab countries during the first four months of this year have increased by 10.33 percent, reaching $5.69 billion, compared to $5.162 billion during the same period last year, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) said. The top destination for Brazilian exports during this...
  • Strong economy, HNWIs help GCC luxury market thrive

    TRENDS explores how the growing number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in the GCC region is boosting demand for luxury goods and services across various sectors.
  • Sharjah Chambers reviews efforts to bolster UAE’s food security

    Sharjah, UAE-- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has reviewed the UAE efforts to achieve and maintain the food security in the country. In this connection, the newly restructured Foodstuff Trade and Industry Sector Business Group, operating under the umbrella of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI),...
  • Russian oil exports hit post-invasion high, says IEA

    PARIS, FRANCE -  Russia's oil exports rose in April to the highest level since its invasion of Ukraine, boosting revenues by US$1.7 billion despite Western sanctions, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday. The Paris-based organization said Russian exports increased by 50,000 barrels per day to 8.3 million bpd last month, estimating...
  • Iraqi Kurds await oil export renewal deal with Turkey

    ARBIL, IRAQ- Officials in Iraqi Kurdistan say Baghdad is still waiting to reach a "final agreement" with Ankara to resume oil exports to Turkey, where the results of tightly-contested presidential elections hang in the balance. After defying Baghdad and independently exporting crude through Turkey for nearly a decade, Iraq's autonomous...
  • EU’s imports in high-tech products worth $524bn in 2022

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -  The EU imported US$524 billion (€482 billion) worth of high-tech products from extra-EU countries in 2022 (+22 percent compared with 2021), according to an estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union . Exports to these countries reached US$485 billion (€446 billion) (+16 percent...
  • France-UAE ties get robust as non-oil trade soars

    Baroux also commends the UAE as the most promising market for French exports in the region, with over 600 French companies operating in the country, employing nearly 30,000 people. France stands as the UAE's fourth-largest economic partner within the EU, ranking third for imports and sixth for non-oil exports from...
  • Iraq to resume Kurdish oil exports to Turkey Saturday

    On Thursday the Kurdish authorities said in a statement that "the Kurdistan regional government and the federal authorities have reached a (final) deal on the resumption of oil exports". Hours later, Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said crude exports would resume from Saturday.
  • Egypt reports 72% drop in current account deficit to US$1.8bn

    Cairo, Egypt--Egypt’s current account deficit fell 77.2 percent to $1.8 billion in the first half of the North African country’s current fiscal year. According to its central bank, the deficit reduction was fueled by Egypt’s current account turning a $1.41 billion surplus in the October to December quarter of 2022...
  • Qatar’s Q1 private sector exports hit $2.49 billion, up 17.5%

    Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's private sector exports hit QR 9.1 billion ($2.49 billion) in the first quarter of 2023, representing a 17.5 percent growth year-on-year (YoY) compared to QR 7.73 billion in Q1 of 2022.According to Qatar Chamber's quarterly report issued Tuesday, exports through the General Model amounted to QR...
  • Jordan’s exports to EU nations in January,  February 2023 rose to US$87m

    AMMAN, JORDAN - Value of Jordanian exports to European Union countries increased during January-February period of 2023, by 108.5 percent to reach about US$87 million (JD62 million), compared to about US$42 million (JD30 million) for the same period last year.According to foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics...
  • Jordan-US trade soars to US$745mn in first two months of 2023

    Amman, Jordan--The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and the US shot up in January and February 2023 to $745 million compared to $561 million for the same period in 2022. Foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS) showed that the value of Jordanian exports to the...
  • US growth rate slows in Q1 as recession fears rise

    US economic growth lost steam in the first quarter this year, said the Commerce Department, as the possibility of a mild recession brews while consumer spending weakens. Consumption provided a boost to the world's biggest economy, giving it a strong start to 2023, but banking sector turmoil and rising interest...
  • Russia to withdraw from grain deal if all conditions are not fulfilled

    Russia delivered a new warning to the West over a grain deal with Ukraine, saying a number of conditions must be met for Moscow to extend it beyond May 18. Negotiated in July by Turkey and the United Nations, the agreement has given Ukrainian grain shipments a safe corridor in...
  • EU bloc records highest ever trade deficit in 2022

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM  - The EU trade in goods registered a large deficit of US$469 billion (€432 billion) in 2022, reaching its lowest level since the start of the time series in 2002. The deficit was due, in particular, to a steep rise in the value of energy imports, which started...
  • Oil exports from Iraq’s Kurdistan region to restart on Monday

    Spelling the end of independent oil exports by the regional government, Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region will resume oil exports through Turkey on Monday, but in the future they will be supervised by the federal government in Baghdad. The outcome was achieved in talks between federal and regional officials.
  • Pakistani businessman exports food products to Israel

    ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - The American Jewish Congress celebrated the arrival of the first shipment of food products from Pakistan to Israel, marking a milestone in bilateral trade between the two nations, media reports said. The transaction reportedly involved Pakistani-Jewish businessman Fishel BenKhald and three Israeli entrepreneurs. Based in Karachi, BenKhald...
  • Russian oil sales to India surge as European buyers turn to other markets

    Moscow, Russia--Russian oil sales to India surged more than twentyfold last year as European buyers turned to other markets following the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's deputy prime minister said Tuesday. Russia shifted its oil exports to India and China last year as European Union nations sought to end their reliance on...
  • Turkey stops handling oil exports from Kurdistan region: Iraq

    The Iraqi oil ministry said that Turkey stopped oil exports from Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Saturday in the wake of arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce. It said that Baghdad's claims had been accepted in a dispute with Ankara over who had responsiblity for exporting the autonomous region's...
  • Grain deal talks ongoing after Russian proposal, says UN

    Consultations to prolong Ukrainian grain exports deal are continuing, the UN said, after a Russian proposal for just a 60-day extension cast doubt over its fate. "The United Nations will do everything possible to preserve the integrity of the agreement and ensure its continuity," Jens Laerke, spokesman for the United...
  • Egypt’s exports to China increase by nearly 21 percent in 2022

    Cairo, Egypt -- Egyptian exports to China rose by 20.8 percent to $1.7 billion in the first 11 months of 2022, up from $1.4 billion in the same period in 2021, Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said. The trade exchange between Egypt and China increased by...
  • Indonesia holds two-day event in Dubai to lure investment

    Dubai, UAE--The Indonesian Investment Forum kicked off in Dubai to lure businesses and investments. The two-day event aimed to explore opportunities to attract foreign direct investment and expand markets for export-oriented products. It was hosted by Bank Indonesia in partnership with KJRI Dubai, the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Indonesia...
  • Grain deal not being implemented properly, says Russia

    MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that extending a deal that allowed grain exports from Ukraine to resume was becoming "complicated" as he claimed it was not being properly implemented. Russia's military intervention last February saw Ukraine's Black Sea ports blocked by warships until a deal last...
  • Higher Middle East demand pushes Thai rice exports up

    Head of the ministry's foreign trade department Ronnarong Phoolpipat told a press conference that the value of rice exports rose 78.76% to $406.72 million in January year-on-year.
  • Saudi non-oil exports down by 24 percent to $6 billion in Dec 2022

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports (including re-exports) fell by 24.4 percent to SAR 22.7 billion ($6.05 billion) in December 2022, from SAR 30.1 billion in December 2021, according to the kingdom's General Authority for Statistics. Non-oil exports (excluding re-exports) decreased by 17 percent as re-exports also fell by...
  • Iraq’s Kurdistan restarts oil exports through Turkey after quake

    A day after the powerful earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria, Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region has said that it resumed oil exports through Turkey after suspending them as a precaution in the wake of the quake. The Kurdish ministry of natural resources said the oil exports restarted via the pipeline connecting...
  • Bahrain exports $2.98bn worth of products during Q4 2022

    The value of imports rose by 0.3 percent, reaching $3.75 billion during the quarter compared to $3.72 billion in Q4 2021.
  • Qatar’s private sector exports surge 25% to $10bn in 2022 

    The total value of private sector exports during the fourth quarter of 2022 amounted to $2 billion.
  • Egypt posts 10% jump in exports to US$3.32bn

    Cairo, Egypt--The Engineering Export Council (EEC) of Egypt has announced that the sector’s exports increased by 10% to $3.32bn from January-November 2022, compared to $3bn in the same period in 2021. Also read: Egypt economy to grow 5.2% in 2021-22 According to the EEC's monthly report, the most notable industries...
  • Why did Iran stop importing rice, tea from India? 

    Speculations are rife that the decision by Tehran could have been taken in retaliation to India's suspension of the import of fruits like kiwis and peaches from Iran.
  • UAE tops Arab world in exports worth US$142.5bn in 2021

    Abu Dhabi--The UAE ranked first in the Arab world in terms of the value of manufactured exports in 2021, with a total value of $142.5 billion, according to the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). According to the AMF's Joint Arab Economic Report, the UAE's manufacturing industry exports account for 43.9 percent...
  • Saudi and Turkish banks sign US$26m financing line agreement

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Export-Import Bank has announced the signing of a $26 million financing line agreement with Turkyie Finance Katilim Bank to finance Saudi non-oil exports to Turkyie, which is the first direct financing agreement for Saudi non-oil exports to the Republic of Turkyie. It also signed an agreement with...
  • Share of oil in Saudi exports rises to nearly 80 percent in Oct

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports increased by 13.9 percent in October 2022 to SAR 120.7 billion ($32.10 billion), compared to SAR 106.0 billion in October 2021, according to the International Trade Report for October 2022 released today by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).The rise was mainly due...
  • Palestinian businesses in West Bank wary of Netanyahu government, cheap goods

    The Palestinian govt has no money to support would-be entrepreneurs, environment for foreign investors is too risky and the Israeli occupation makes condition worse, say experts.
  • Qatar’s records trade balance surplus of $6.8 billion in Oct 2022

    Doha, Qatar---Qatar's merchandise trade balance recorded a surplus of QR 25.1 billion ($6.8 billion) in October this year, an increase of 18.5 percent year-on-year. The trade balance, which is the difference between total exports and imports, however, decreased by 6 billion riyals, or 19.2 percent, compared to September 2022. The Planning...