The GCC countries have entered a period of higher interest rates - their US$ currency pegs mean regional central banks mirror US Fed hikes. Our...
MENA | Commodity price shock is a mixed blessing for MENA
Posted by Maya Senussi on Mar 14, 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the evolving global response will be felt in the MENA economies mainly via the impact on commodity prices. Fuel...
MENA | Key themes 2022: GCC starts the year on a firm footing
Posted by Maya Senussi on Dec 16, 2021
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be one of only two major regions globally (the other being ASEAN) to grow faster – at above 5% – in 2022...
MENA | UAE and Qatar have the highest FDI attractiveness
Posted by Scott Livermore on Nov 18, 2021
FDI is in an important pillar of growth and diversification agendas across theMENA region and, in particular, in the GCC. Several countries have set...
MENA | Higher oil income to propel GCC diversification efforts
Posted by Maya Senussi on Oct 1, 2021
The GCC recovery built momentum in Q3, thanks to vaccine progress, easing of health restrictions, and higher oil output. However, the bloc’s GDP will...
MENA | Coronavirus tracker for the GCC – September update
Posted by Scott Livermore on Sep 30, 2021
Expo 2020 starts in the UAE on October 1 and will provide a significant boost to the economy. Although international visitors may be lower than...
MENA | Saudi oil exports; GCC travel; Kuwait spending cuts
Posted by Amy McAlister on Aug 26, 2021
Oil exports from Saudi Arabia soared to SAR61.5bn in June, a 123% increase from a year earlier, as oil output started to rise and oil prices...
MENA | Coronavirus tracker for the GCC – August update
Posted by Scott Livermore on Aug 20, 2021
The Delta variant is causing concern globally and is becoming significant in the Middle East. It now accounts for most of the cases in Bahrain,...
MENA | Oil prices stabilise, Tunisia’s crisis, Lebanon’s new PM
Posted by Maya Senussi on Jul 29, 2021
Oil prices have stabilised around $75pb following the OPEC+ deal earlier thismonth to taper production cuts starting in August. The improved outlook...
MENA | Bond sales; Bahrain in lockdown and Abu Dhabi invests
Posted by Aoife Kealey on Jun 14, 2021
A series of bond sales across the GCC have taken place. Saudi Aramco isselling its first dollar-dominated Islamic bonds in three tranches. The return...