Economy

Bank of Israel Gov. Amir Yaron told Nikkei in a recent interview: "Israel has a dynamic, resilient economy. ... We're seeing credit card spending above prewar levels in almost all categories."
Middle East crisis

Israel's economy well prepared for risks, says central bank governor

Amir Yaron says credit card spending is above prewar levels

5 March 2024
Former Turkish President Abdullah Gul: "Many nations and countries in the world are having more sympathy towards the authoritarian regimes because of the West's blind support for Israel." (Photo by Cevahir Bugu)
Interview

Turkey's ex-president slams U.S. 'double standards' on Israel, Ukraine

Abdullah Gul says West's policies on conflicts could benefit China

3 March 2024
Turkey is still struggling with high inflation.
Economy

Turkey's GDP grew past $1tn for the first time in 2023

Economy expands 4.5%, but analysts expect weaker demand to dampen growth this year

29 February 2024
In Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, wild tuna are captured and then farmed in pens. (Photo by Momoko Kidera)
Fisheries

Turkish tuna farmers tripled exports to Japan over past decade

Industry expands operations into North Africa and seeks a larger fishing quota

25 February 2024
Indian Prime Minister Modi, left, shakes hands with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 13. (UAE Presidential Court via Reuters)
International relations

India's Modi woos UAE and Qatar to counter China in Middle East

New Delhi advances push for competing economic corridor to Europe

15 February 2024
: A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf.
Commodities

Iran's oil exports reach 5-year high, with China as top buyer

Rising supply from sanctions-hit country tamps down prices amid tensions

31 January 2024
Skilled workers wait for interviews and tests at a Haryana state government recruitment drive to send workers to Israel on Jan. 17.
Middle East crisis

Indian workers flock to Israeli jobs despite war and ethical concerns

High demand for positions reflects employment pressures in most populous nation

24 January 2024
Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia's minister of economy and planning, says there are many opportunities for China to invest in his country. (Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Economy and Planning)
Interview

Saudi Arabia to keep bolstering ties with China: economic chief

Riyadh seen pursuing equidistant relations with all partners

18 January 2024
Suzuki Motor is halting output at a car plant in Hungary for seven days. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Supply Chain

Suzuki suspends production at Hungary car plant due to Red Sea attacks

Militia activity near Yemen has overshadowed global logistics

16 January 2024
A drought has caused the Panama Canal Authority to restrict passage of container ships.
Supply Chain

Panama Canal backup forces detours for Asia-bound grain ships

Suez Canal transits soar due to drought, threatening higher food costs

29 December 2023
Houthi boats seize the Galaxy Leader car carrier on Nov. 20. Attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted shipping routes. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)
Supply Chain

Red Sea attacks threaten to cut global shipping capacity 20%

Supply chain disruptions lead to delays and higher prices, experts warn

23 December 2023
A banner promoting the South Korean city of Busan's bid for World Expo 2030. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Economy

Riyadh beats South Korea's Busan to host World Expo 2030

Saudi capital also competed with Rome for the five-yearly event

29 November 2023
A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in this photo released by the militants on Nov. 20. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)
Middle East crisis

Red Sea ship hijacking delivers a warning on supply chain risks

Japan-operated vessel reportedly in Yemen; Suez still vital despite threat

21 November 2023
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, behind the wheel, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, were all smiles in Riyadh. Companies from their countries signed dozens of business deals.
Business Spotlight

From EVs to digital, South Korea bags deals in tense Middle East

Hyundai, Naver join Yoon during his business-focused trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

27 October 2023
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the third Bosporus bridge linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, is to have a railway added to increase freight transport capacity.
International relations

Turkey pushes $25bn Iraq transport route over India-Europe corridor

Minister says Israel-Hamas war shows 'security problems' with plan hatched at G20

20 October 2023
Turkish and Japanese chairs of the Turkey-Japan Business Council sign a joint declaration after a meeting in Izmir on Oct. 10. (Courtesy of DEIK)
Trade

Japan Inc. calls for Turkey trade deal to be tied up

Ankara wants more concessions before committing

14 October 2023
Saudi Arabia's first robot, Sara, on display in Riyadh in February: The country is pivoting to reduce its heavy reliance on petroleum exports. 
Opinion

A real economic transformation is underway in Saudi Arabia

'Vision 2030' is reducing country's dependence on oil exports

2 October 2023
Saudi Arabia has reduced oil production since July, while Russia began curbing exports in August.
Commodities

Unexpected China demand, output cuts behind surge in oil prices

Inflation fears grow as futures flirt with $100 per barrel

29 September 2023
Shihab Alfaheem, the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Japan, speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on Aug. 28. His country is gearing up to hold the COP28 summit. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Sayumi Take and Reuters) 
Interview

COP28 host UAE says fossil fuels needed in energy transition: envoy

Petrostate's preparations alarm observers seeking shift from oil, coal and gas

5 September 2023
Women walk on the streets in Tehran as the country's morality police resume hijab patrols on July 18, 2023.
Economy

Iran's new hijab law puts stores, restaurants, e-commerce on edge

Sanctions-hit economy suffers another blow nearly a year after mass protests

17 August 2023
Construction machinery digs in the rubble from buildings demolished by the deadly February earthquakes in Hatay, Turkey, on July 28 (Photo by Sinan Tavsan)
Natural disasters

Turkey set to recycle quake debris covering 'two Manhattans'

Japan-funded project targets some of 200m tonnes of rubble from February disaster

16 August 2023
Truckers wait near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan during a temporary closure in February. Islamabad authorized formal barter trade in June, aiming to ease pressure on foreign reserves.
Economy

Pakistani barter trade with Afghanistan, Iran, Russia stuck in neutral

Plan to ease forex pressure met with disinterest amid strained Taliban ties

6 July 2023
The Turkish central bank raised its policy rate from 8.5% to 15% at its first rate meeting under Gov. Hafize Gaye Erkan in June.
Opinion

Turkey still has a long road back to financial normalcy

Gradual approach will only postpone economic pain

3 July 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to supporters on May 27. He had advocated lowering interest rates to combat inflation, but recently changed his tune. 
The Nikkei View

Turkey must keep working to restore market trust

Rate hike is first step to normalization of economic policies

28 June 2023
Hafize Gaye Erkan, Turkey's new central bank governor, receives flowers from her predecessor, Sahap Kavcioglu, during a handover ceremony on June 9 in Ankara.  
Economy

Turkey raises interest rate to 15% from 8.5% to fight inflation

Hafize Gaye Erkan, first woman to head central bank, begins 'gradual' tightening

22 June 2023