Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Neom: is Saudi Arabia about to repeat past mistakes? Plans announced today by the Saudi government to construct a huge new economic city, called Neom, have grabbed the headlines but the Kingdom has poor form when it comes to implementing mega-projects... 24th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Qatar: worst of the blockade impact appears to be over Recently-released GDP data confirmed that the blockade on Qatar dealt a blow to its economy in June, but more timely data suggest that the worst has now passed. That said, any recovery is likely to be... 24th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: investment key to sustaining manufacturing boom Egypt’s manufacturing sector has been one of the main beneficiaries from a weaker pound but the recent rapid pace of growth will be difficult to sustain in the absence of a significant pick up in... 18th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Gulf likely to shrug off calls for deeper oil output cuts Oil policy in the Gulf has been thrust back into the spotlight after the Saudi government disclosed details of Aramco’s export allocations for November. But there is less to this than meets the eye... 12th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi: improved current account reflects weak growth The marked improvement in Saudi Arabia’s current account position over the past year has eased fears that the riyal will be devalued. However, a large chunk of the improvement has been due to weaker... 11th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What next for the Iran nuclear accord? The spotlight has turned back on to Iran’s nuclear deal in recent days with President Trump expected to refuse to certify that Iran is still compliant with the accord. There remains a lot of... 6th October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi downturn deepens, blockade hits Qatar’s economy Official GDP data show that the contraction in Saudi Arabia’s economy worsened in Q2 and our GDP Tracker suggests that downturn deepened further at the start of Q3. We expect a recovery to get... 2nd October 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s easing cycle likely to start in late-2017 The statement accompanying last night’s decision by Egypt’s central bank to leave interest rates on hold suggests that, with inflation now falling, policymakers are trying to downplay expectations... 29th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Gulf markets get no boost from higher oil prices Financial markets in the Gulf economies have performed poorly in the past few weeks despite the sharp rise in oil prices. Equity markets have actually fallen back and, in some countries, dollar bond... 27th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The end of the Saudi driving ban & the economic impact The Saudi government’s decision to lift the ban that prohibits women from driving in the Kingdom is clearly a positive step for women’s rights and could potentially have a significant economic impact... 27th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Qatar: worst of the blockade hit may now have passed The latest evidence suggests that the hit to Qatar’s economy from the diplomatic crisis with regional powers is starting to fade. Even so, a quick diplomatic solution to the crisis appears... 21st September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Few signs of a bonus boost to Saudi consumer spending The worst of the downturn in Saudi consumer spending appears to have passed, but there’s no sign yet that the reversal of civil service benefit cuts earlier this year has boosted the recovery. With... 19th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Kuwait: strong balance sheet, but weak growth Kuwait’s balance sheet is the strongest in the GCC, but ongoing austerity and slow implementation of the latest development plan mean it is likely to be among the region’s weaker performers in 2018-19... 14th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s tourism recovery likely to be slow-going After a dreadful few years, Egypt’s tourism sector has shown tentative signs of a recovery. Government hopes that the sector can quickly return to its pre-2011 heyday are well wide of the mark, but a... 13th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabia rejigging reform plans as opposition mounts Reports that the Saudi government is planning to dilute its reform plans may be the first sign that the power and influence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is starting to wane and that broader... 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s fiscal progress falls short of IMF goals Egypt’s budget deficit has narrowed sharply over the past year and the high public debt-to-GDP ratio should start to fall back soon. However, the authorities have already missed some of the fiscal... 6th September 2017 · 1 min read
