Oxford Business Group

02/06/2026

Syria's agricultural sector is rebuilding capacity after a prolonged period of disruption, with export credibility, water infrastructure and the normalisation of international payments among the critical conditions for recovery.

In this interview, Farid Khouri, CEO of Attanmiah, examines the operational challenges facing agricultural input suppliers, the role of export dynamics in shaping sector development and the strategic priorities for the next three to five years; including renewed access to northern wheat and cotton regions.

Read: https://tinyurl.com/cdazp3nt

On rebuilding agricultural capacity How do you assess the agricultural sector and its outlook for the coming seasons? FARID KHOURI: Agriculture in Syria remains fundamentally dependent on water availability. Last year was extremely challenging due to drought, which significantly reduced yields and a...

27/05/2026

We wish our Muslim friends and readers a blessed Eid al-Adha celebration.

21/05/2026

Syria's pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is entering a consolidation phase following years of conflict-driven disruption, with pricing reforms in 2024 allowing producers to stabilise operations and rebuild production continuity.

In this interview, Issam Maatouk, CEO of Unipharma, examines how the sector has adapted its production model, the affordability pressures shaping domestic demand, and the conditions under which Syria could rebuild its position as a regional pharmaceutical exporter.

Read here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxy8tjh

On consolidation and export recovery How would you describe the current state of Syria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector following years of conflict? ISSAM MAATOUK: The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Syria has gone through an exceptionally challenging period in recent years. For roughl...

19/05/2026

How are new technologies contributing to Saudi Arabia's cultural innovation, particularly in filmmaking?

Find out in this analysis which also features a case study on the film Ahlam Alasr and key data on investment opportunities and value chain coverage in the Kingdom's film industry: https://tinyurl.com/4t6pu3u9

This piece was written as part of a wider study on Saudi Arabia’s cultural market outlook, produced in partnership with the Cultural Development Fund, which you can read in full here: https://tinyurl.com/yc6meme8

You can also view the report’s video highlights here: https://tinyurl.com/mrx84dz3

The film Ahlam Alasr leveraged AI-driven deepfake technology to rejuvenate actor Sohaib Qadus, enabling immersive storytelling at archaeological sites. This case study exemplifies how innovative technology can enhance local filmmaking capabilities and generate economic, social and cultural value. Ke...

18/05/2026

Environmental governance is becoming increasingly linked to economic resilience, infrastructure planning and long-term competitiveness. As resource pressures and global sustainability expectations evolve, environmental protection is also shaping investment, diversification and sector performance across areas including water, logistics, energy and waste management.

Coinciding with Oman Sustainability Week, the release of our latest special report, produced in partnership with the sultanate's Environment Authority (EA), highlights the economic value of environmental stewardship in Oman, the costs associated with environmental degradation, and the role of regulatory frameworks and sector-level implementation across water, logistics, energy and waste management.

Read full report: https://tinyurl.com/ye99dtf4

This report examines the economic value of environmental protection in Oman and the role of environmental governance in supporting resilience, competitiveness and sustainable growth. The publication, produced in partnership with the sultanate’s Environment Authority (EA), explores how environmenta...

14/05/2026

Syria’s FMCG market is entering a new phase as consumer behaviour shifts from scarcity-driven purchasing towards greater product selection and competition.

In this interview, Firas Shammas, CEO of New Allied Distributors, discusses the market’s evolution, the challenges facing domestic manufacturers and the sectors where foreign companies may find opportunities as infrastructure and logistics capacity continue to recover.

Read here: https://tinyurl.com/492kdexb

On pressure and opportunity in rebuilding Syria’s consumer goods market How would you describe the evolution of Syria’s fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) market from the pre-war years to the post-conflict period? FIRAS SHAMMAS: In the mid-2000s, the Syrian market was increasingly driven by qualit...

13/05/2026

Saudi Arabia is strengthening its public-private partnership (PPP) framework to support investor confidence, risk mitigation and private sector participation across key sectors.

Watch the highlights of our latest Impact Report, produced in partnership with the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP (NCP), which shows how the Kingdom is leveraging privatisation and public-private partnerships to advance Vision 2030: https://tinyurl.com/3kfcn8np

Read the full report: https://tinyurl.com/ry8p2k2k

10/05/2026

Amid ongoing geopolitical disruption, the Red Sea Corridor is evolving from a traditional transit route into a more integrated logistics and industrial ecosystem.

Learn more in this interview with Abdullah Mohammed Alzamil, Chairman, Folk Maritime, which highlights strengthening resilience and efficiency in maritime logistics: https://tinyurl.com/4chn4rub

This piece was written as part of a wider study, produced in partnership with Folk Maritime , on trade shifts and value creation across the Red Sea Corridor. You can read this in full here: https://tinyurl.com/4e89nazt

Watch the report's video highlights here: https://tinyurl.com/47v5bep2

On supporting regional resilience amid disruption How is the Red Sea Corridor evolving from a transit route into a broader platform for regional value creation? ABDULLAH MOHAMMED ALZAMIL: The Red Sea Corridor is evolving beyond its traditional role as a transit route into a more integrated logistics...

08/05/2026

How can Libya's agri-business sector strengthen profitability, build supply chain resilience and leverage its geographic position as a gateway to sub-Saharan African markets?

Ahmed Al-Ghazali, Chairman, Alfath Company for Importing Agricultural Supplies, shares his assessment: https://tinyurl.com/um66hkh6

On food security and agri-business growth What operational levers can strengthen profitability in the agri-business sector? AHMED AL-GHAZALI: Long-term planning, reliable equipment and a strong service ecosystem are key. As the country advances its food security strategy, investors and producers are...

07/05/2026

Supply chain disruption across key maritime routes is driving renewed interest in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Freight volumes have grown sharply since 2022, transit times have been cut by more than half, and a coordinated programme of rail, port and road investment across Central Asia is now backed by significant multilateral capital.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yc5wmtnv

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has recorded sustained freight volume growth since 2022, accelerating significantly in 2024 and 2025 Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are each advancing infrastructure investment programmes aligned with the corridor's expanding role Multilateral f...