Data for the UAE show inflation turned positive in August for the first time since December 2018, due to a 21.8% jump in entertainment and cultural...
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 | Lebanese government; Saudi GDP; UAE subsidies
Posted by Maya Senussi on Sep 16, 2021
After over a year of political impasse, Lebanon has finally formed a government, led by a twice-former prime minister Najib Mikati. The breakthrough...
MENA | UAE’s 50 initiatives; Abu Dhabi fees; solid regional PMIs
Posted by Amy McAlister on Sep 9, 2021
New rules on residency visas are just part of the 50 economic initiativesannounced by the UAE to celebrate its golden jubilee. The measures include...
MENA | Turkey GDP; Saudi FDI; OPEC+ meeting
Posted by Aoife Kealey on Sep 2, 2021
Turkey’s economy posted growth of 0.9% q/q in Q2. The better result than our forecast of a 0.6% q/q decline was fuelled by a strong post-lockdown...
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 | Saudi Q2 GDP and budget deficit, Egypt inflation
Posted by Ahmad Esam on Aug 13, 2021
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...
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...