Of politics and profits

by Riad Al-Khouri May 1, 2010

written by Riad Al-Khouri May 1, 2010

Iran and Turkey’s respective economic involvement in the Middle East continues to grow, but as is so often the case in our region, business is becoming mixed up with politics. A good example of this is Tehran’s relations with the United Arab Emirates, home to about half a million Iranians and one of Iran’s largest business partners in the region. Iranian exports to the Emirates increased 50 percent from 2005 to 2009, and at the same rate in the previous five years. Last year, trade between the two countries was worth some $15 billion. Great, you might think — unless you are the United States, which has been pressing the Emirates to limit business dealings with Iran as Washington continues to place sanctions on the Islamic republic and browbeat others into following suit. Over the past few months, a series of high-ranking US officials have been sent to the emirates

Riad Al-Khouri

Riad al Khouri is an economist specializing in the Middle East and North Africa region. He has undertaken extensive research on regional trade and political economy, among other topics, and writes widely about development issues. He taught economics at the American University in Beirut (AUB) and Beirut University College (now the Lebanese American University) and worked as a consultant for the European Commission, ESCWA, GTZ, ILO, IOM, OPEC Fund, UNDP, UNIDO, USAID, and the World Bank, among many other public sector organizations, as well as for numerous private firms.

Of politics and profits

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