Author: Editorial Desk

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced its first Iraq investment, extending a $100 million trade finance facility to the National Bank of Iraq to support import and export activities. The facility, provided under the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Program, will enable the National Bank of Iraq, the country’s largest private bank, to issue guarantees and offer cash advances for imports, exports, and the local distribution of goods. The bank said the initiative is expected to strengthen trade flows and improve access to finance for businesses across Iraq. Ayman Abu Dhaim, chief executive of the National Bank of Iraq,…

India has identified around 300 products with strong export potential to Russia as the two countries work toward achieving bilateral trade of $100 billion by 2030, a senior official said. The identified products span key sectors including engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and chemicals. At present, India’s exports of these high-potential goods to Russia stand at about $1.7 billion, while Russia’s total imports in these categories are valued at $37.4 billion. The wide gap highlights significant untapped opportunities for Indian exporters. “This stark disparity demonstrates the substantial complementary export space India can target,” the official said, adding that expanding exports would…

The Vietnam–China International Trade Fair opened in the northern Vietnamese province of Tuyen Quang on December 12, forming part of a national trade promotion program and coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hoang Anh Cuong, Director of the Tuyen Quang Department of Industry and Trade, said the fair is significant in translating cooperation agreements among border provinces into concrete outcomes. He noted that the event also aims to create new linkages in trade, tourism, logistics, and investment between the two neighboring countries. The six-day fair features more than 240…

A Turkish defense technology firm has secured export agreements with five countries for its domestically developed unmanned nano helicopter, marking a notable step for Türkiye’s growing presence in high-technology defense exports. The nano unmanned helicopter, named Nanoalp, has been developed by Uludogan Defense Industry Technology at Teknopark Istanbul. The project was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) through its Industrial R&D Projects Support Program and backed by investment from Teknopark Istanbul’s High Technology Fund. Company Chairman Seyfeddin Cevdet Uludogan confirmed that the first export shipment has already been delivered to the United Arab Emirates. In…

South Africa’s real estate investment trust (REIT) sector has surpassed R300 billion in market capitalization for the first time since 2019, driven by accelerating dividend growth, improving property fundamentals, and renewed investor confidence. Listed property continued its strong momentum in November, delivering a 9.1% total return after an already robust 10.8% gain in October. The sector significantly outperformed other asset classes, with equities returning 1.7% and bonds 3.4% over the same period. By the end of November 2025, SA REITs had generated a year-to-date return of 37.9%, exceeding the broader equity market’s 36.2% and far outpacing bonds at 20.9%. Since…

The global air cargo industry is positioning itself as a key stabilizer for supply chains as rising tariffs and fragmented trade patterns reshape global commerce, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Industry leaders say air freight’s speed and flexibility are becoming essential as companies adapt to shifting trade routes and supplier networks. Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, said escalating trade tensions are forcing businesses to make rapid sourcing and routing decisions, often at short notice. In such conditions, air cargo has emerged as the fastest and most adaptable transport option when trade flows are disrupted or…

The proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and Qatar is emerging as a key development in India’s efforts to diversify trade partnerships and deepen economic engagement with the Gulf region. As discussions progress, the agreement is expected to expand cooperation beyond energy into sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, services, and technology, strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. India’s trade relationship with the Gulf has traditionally centered on energy imports, with Qatar playing a critical role as one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas. While energy security remains central to the partnership, both governments are now seeking…

Mexico has approved tariff increases of up to 50% on a wide range of imports from India, China, South Korea, and other Asian economies starting in 2026, according to local media reports. The move aims to shield domestic industries and producers from rising competition. Mexican outlet El Universal reported that the Senate voted to modify multiple tariff classifications under the General Import and Export Tax Law, introducing duties between 5 and 50% on around 1,400 products. The list covers auto parts, light vehicles, plastics, steel, textiles, footwear, clothing, household appliances, toys, furniture, leather goods, paper and cardboard, motorcycles, aluminium, trailers,…

Small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa are set to receive stronger support in meeting international trade standards, following the launch of a new initiative by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The move aims to help businesses comply with evolving global regulations that increasingly influence market access. In pre-recorded remarks at the “Beyond Tariffs: How Standards and Regulations Shape Agribusiness Competitiveness” forum in Nairobi, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that technical standards and regulatory requirements now play a decisive role in determining what reaches consumers. “Tariffs have returned to prominence. But in many cases, probably most cases, it is standards…

Global trade is on track to exceed $35 trillion in 2025 for the first time, according to UNCTAD’s final Global Trade Update of the year. The data show that trade continued to expand through the second half of 2025, although geopolitical tensions, elevated costs, and uneven global demand have begun to slow the pace of growth. Between July and September, global trade rose 2.5% compared with the previous quarter, with goods increasing nearly 2% and services 4%. Growth is expected to continue into the final quarter of the year, though at a more modest rate of 0.5% for goods and…