TRADE-

#1- Egyptian manufacturer Massoud Steel signed a contract to build an EGP 965 mn metal packaging factory in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The project — the first dedicated metal packaging and tinplate printing project within the SCZone — will prioritize local market needs and is poised to ramp up exports overtime, which SCZone head Walid Gamal El Din said will be helped by the zone’s exemptions, support program, and infrastructure for exports. The project is expected to create around 130 direct jobs and kick off operations in 1Q 2026.

DATA POINT- The SCZone signed USD 8.3 bn worth of actual investment contracts across 272 projects between July 2022 and March 2025, Walid El Din said in a separate statement. The projects — including 262 industrial, services, and logistics developments and 10 port projects — are expected to create over 40k jobs.

#2- Iraq to restart oil pipeline through Syria: Iraq is making headway on the resumption of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline that extends through Syria to Mediterranean ports, Asharq Business reported on Friday. The 800 km-long pipeline boasts a 300k barrels per day (bpd) capacity, which could enable Iraq to avoid full dependence on its Turkey-boundCeyhan pipeline to reach Europe. On its end, Syria hopes reviving the pipeline could help secure much-needed energy imports to support reconstruction efforts, with eyes on possible investments in refinery projects to process Iraqi oil.

AVIATION-

More Syria-UAE flights: Syrian Airlines is set to boost its flights to Dubai by adding two new flights per week from Damascus as of 2 May, according to a statement. The airline is also adding two additional flights between Damascus and Sharjah, effective from 5 May, according to a separate statement.

REMEMBER- Flights between the UAE and Syria were resumed earlier this month, as most airlines resumed flights to the country following the ouster of former president Bashar Al Assad. A Syrian Airlines flight to Sharjah was the first to take off from Damascus International Airport in January.

PORTS-

Eco-friendly vessels land Salalah Port: Oman’s Port of Salalah has welcomed five eco-friendly container vessels from Maersk, according to a statement. The vessels have dual-fuel propulsion systems and were powered by methanol.

ICYMI: Maersk-owned operator of Salalah Port APM Terminals completed earlier this year a USD 300 mn expansion project of the port to support the launch of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s Gemini Cooperation launch.

ZONES-

Dubai CommerCity has new AI partners: Digital-focused freezone Dubai CommerCity has signed strategic partnerships with trade-focused AI companies qeen.ai and Portmind to accelerate digital commerce and trade operations, according to a press release. The partnership with qeen.ai will embed AI-driven automation and solutions into the freezone’s ecosystem, supporting e-commerce SMEs and high-growth brands in scaling operations and boosting competitiveness. Meanwhile, Portmind’s Sail platform will automate customs documentation and regulatory compliance, helping businesses speed up clearances, improve shipment visibility, and lower operational costs.

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