A young boy searches through refuse for sellable items in a garbage dump in Sadr City, Iraq

MME is a weekly show focusing on the issues, developments and trends that affect the region’s business climate.

Story highlights

Despite having fourth largest oil reserve in world many Iraqis still living in harsh poverty

Families in Baghdad's Sadr City turn to garbage dumps to look for items to sell

MME talks to Lebanese PM about how war in neighboring Syria is affecting his country

IN FOCUS: IRAQ’S CHILDREN LIVING IN GARBAGE DUMPS

As Iraq emerges as the world’s fourth largest oil reserve in the world, the country’s leaders are hoping their wealth can provide a decent living to its citizens, but for many living in Baghdad’s Sadr City, the dream of a better life is far from becoming true. Men, women, children pushed by poverty, spend their days scouring the dumps looking for things to sell. From plastic bottles to aluminum cans, one man’s trash has become another man’s treasure. In Iraq it is a crucial lifeline for a number of families.

FACETIME: NAJIB MIKATI, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER

With the ongoing Syrian civil war, Lebanon is continuing to feel the ripple effect. With clashes in Tripoli and fighting on the borders, the country is struggling to maintain stability. The UN estimates the number of Syrian refugees to have crossed 200,000. MME sat down with Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati and asked him how the war next door is affecting Lebanon, in particular its economy.

SHOWTIMES

Marketplace Middle East will air at the following times (all GMT):

Thursday 21 February: 1645; Friday 22 February: 0945; Saturday 23 February: 0715; Sunday 24 February: 0615, 1645