The consequences of plastic pollution are vividly captured in distressing images of plastic objects adrift in our oceans, wildlife ensnared in plastic debris and colossal mounds of plastic waste in landfills.

Plastic pollution is a global concern, and the Middle East – a significant producer of plastic goods and petrochemical derivatives – holds the key to addressing this pressing issue.

Awareness is turning into action and the region is taking steps to develop a circular plastics economy that promotes recycling, waste reduction and sustainable consumption of plastic products.

The July issue of MEED Business Review looks at the broad efforts required at every stage of the value chain to fully realise a circular plastics economy.

This month's Levant market focus covers Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. While there appears to be no end in sight for Lebanon’s economic woes, Syria's normalisation and reforms in Jordan have improved the outlook for these two countries. 

MEED's latest issue also includes a comprehensive GCC real estate report, covering all six markets in detail. The sector is showing signs of revival and transformation as new opportunities open up for investors and developers. Read more here.

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the July 2023 issue of MEED Business Review. 

Must-read sections in the July 2023 edition of MEED Business Review include:

> AGENDA: Region prepares for circular plastics economy

> RECYCLING: The commercial case for plastics recycling

> KUWAIT CURRENT AFFAIRS: 
Businesses hopeful Kuwait cabinet will break stalemate
Sheikh Ahmad faces major challenges as Kuwait’s PM

> MEED CONFERENCE: Saudi construction boom still in early stages

> GCC REAL ESTATE REPORT: Recovery and growth for GCC real estate
BAHRAIN: Bahrain real estate maintains upward momentum
KUWAIT: Kuwait's real estate market dips
OMAN: Oman’s property market displays resilience
QATAR: Qatar's property market cools
SAUDI ARABIA: Office sector leads Saudi real estate market
UAE: UAE real estate market sustains strong demand

> LEVANT MARKET FOCUS:
JORDAN: Economic reform is Jordan’s priority
LEBANON: Power politics return to the fore in Lebanon
SYRIA: Syria comes in from the cold

> MEED COMMENTS: 
UAE steps up clean energy adoption
Flexibility and cohesion keep Opec+ ticking
Building a legacy in Saudi Arabia
Dubai can rewrite history with Palm Jebel Ali

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects index inches up in May

> MAY 2023 CONTRACTS: Region records $29bn of deals in May

> INTERVIEW: Bechtel marks 80 years working in Saudi Arabia

> INTERVIEW: Kuwait confident of success in oil clean-up project

> AIRPORT PROJECTS: Jeddah plans $31bn airport expansion

> LEADERSHIP: Future mobility is electric, shared and autonomous

> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Mena PPP projects

> OPINION: Embracing the new Washington consensus

> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts