Ecomnews Med The Mediterranean News on Economy

• #LEBANON
• #Energy
• #International

For several years, Lebanon has been seeking to mitigate its economic and energy crisis by conducting hydrocarbon exploration activities. Its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Mediterranean has been divided into 10 offshore exploration blocks to attract major international energy companies capable of carrying out surveys and drilling wells to discover natural gas and oil.

• #ISRAEL
• #Economy

The cost of living in Israel has increased dramatically over the past fifteen years. Since 2008, Israel has undergone a structural shift: while prices were previously below the OECD average, the country has become one of the most expensive among advanced economies. This increase cannot be explained by growth in GDP per capita or by exchange rate fluctuations, revealing a profound disconnect between macroeconomic fundamentals and the prices observed by consumers.

• #EGYPT
• #Economy
• #India
• #InternationalTrade

Trade between Egypt and India is substantial, with India being Egypt's 12th largest trading partner in 2023/24, but declining since 2022. Bilateral trade averaged USD 3.5 billion per year between 2019/20 and 2023/24, and will reach USD 2.5 billion in 2023/24, compared to USD 7.2 billion for Sino-Egyptian trade. Egyptian imports from India averaged USD 2.3 billion per year over the period (or 3.1% of total Egyptian imports), positioning India as Egypt's 12th largest supplier. Egyptian exports to India averaged USD 1.2 billion per year (or 3.1% of total exports) over the period, placing India as Egypt's 9th largest global customer.

• #SYRIA
• #Diplomacy
• #Political
• #USA

Despite decisions to lift them, international sanctions continue to weigh on Syria. The European Union lifted all sanctions affecting the country in February and May 2025, albeit reversibly; only individual sanctions against members of former President Bashar al-Assad's clan remain, as well as bans on military, dual-use, or "NRBC" (nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical) goods.

• #IRAQ
• #Bank
• #Economy

In an economy characterized by the use of cash payments and a large informal private sector, the Iraqi banking system remains undersized, poorly modernized, and vulnerable to shocks.

• #IRAK
• #Export
• #Oil

Iraq is the world's 5th-largest oil producer and the second-largest OPEC producer, with an average production of 4.2 million barrels/day (MB/d) in 2024 and estimated reserves of 145 billion barrels, or 95 years of production at current levels.

• #EGYPT
• #Economy
• #Energy
• #InternationalTrade
• #Israel

Faced with its energy challenges, Egypt is multiplying its initiatives. On September 14, 2025, the country signed new agreements with Apache Corporation, Dragon Oil, and Perenco Egypt to boost gas exploration.

• #LEBANON
• #Culture
• #UNESCO

Five years after the port explosions, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, visited Beirut to take stock of the major projects being carried out by UNESCO. During her visit, the Director-General unveiled the new programs the Organization will be implementing, including the rehabilitation of the Mar Mikhael train station and the Grand Theatre, as well as support for the cultural industries of Tyre and Baalbek.

• #EGYPT
• #Investment
• #Manufacture
• #Suez

In line with its ambition to establish itself as a major player in the automotive industry in Africa, Egypt is increasing its partnerships to attract more investment.