Saudi Arabia’s GDP rose 1.5% y/y in Q2 according to the flash estimate. This was mainly driven by a boost from non-oil activity, which increased...
Ahmad Esam
Recent Posts
MENA | July PMIs, Oman’s electricity subsidies, Iran inflation
Posted by Ahmad Esam on Aug 5, 2021
The PMIs for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar all remained in expansionaryterritory in July at 55.8, 54.0 and 52.2 respectively. Both the UAE and...
MENA | GCC inflation; Saudi privatisation; Iranian nuclear deal
Posted by Ahmad Esam on May 27, 2021
Saudi Arabia’s inflation rose to 5.3% y/y in April from 4.9% y/y in March, but we expect the rate to ease in H2 as the base effects from last year’s...
MENA | Iran aims to wrap up JCPOA return before elections
Posted by Ahmad Esam on Apr 25, 2021
Attempts to salvage the JCPOA have intensified as discussions through European intermediaries kicked off in Vienna on 6 April. Negotiators are...
MENA | Regional PMIs; IMF GDP revisions; Saudi pilgrims
Posted by Ahmad Esam on Apr 12, 2021
PMIs for March remained in positive territory across the GCC but showed nonoil growth at a varying pace in the countries. Qatar and the UAE saw...
MENA | Aramco pay-out; vaccination rollout; ‘Operation Dh300bn’
Posted by Ahmad Esam on Mar 26, 2021
Saudi Aramco fulfilled its $75bn dividend pay-out promise in 2020, despite a44% drop in profits. The company transferred SAR413bn to the government,...