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...
Turkey | Outlook sours after Russia invades Ukraine
Posted by Maya Senussi on Feb 25, 2022
Turkey will take a hit from the Russian invasion of Ukraine through three main channels – tourism, energy prices and financial market disruption –...
Turkey | Why the lira scheme may do more harm than good
Posted by Maya Senussi on Feb 2, 2022
Turkey’s unpredictable macro policies could leave the treasury with a sizeable bill stemming from FX-protected lira deposits. The baseline for public...
Middle Eastern Cities: The long-term outlook
Posted by George Bowen on Jan 31, 2022
In 2021, there were 16 Urban Economic Powerhouses in the world (cities with GDP greater than $500bn), but none were located in the Middle East. By...
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 | Coronavirus tracker for the GCC – November update
Posted by Scott Livermore on Nov 11, 2021
Signs of the GCC’s strengthening recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic continue to emerge. The PMI for Dubai rose to its highest level in over two...
MENA | Regional PMIs, Saudi revenues rise, OPEC+ talks
Posted by John Payne on Nov 4, 2021
The non-oil PMIs for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar remained in expansionary territory in October, a run that has continued for 11, 14 and 16 months...
MENA | IMF MENA outlook, Oman ratings, Saudi green plans
Posted by Maya Senussi on Oct 21, 2021
The IMF’s updated GDP growth projection for MENA is largely in line with our baseline, although we are more optimistic than the Fund on the GCC. The...