Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Is Tunisia really on the path to recovery? It’s still early days, but we think that political developments in Tunisia over the past few months provide reasons to be optimistic about the country’s economic outlook. 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s fiscal position still a major concern At first glance, the interim Egyptian government seems to have made some progress in bringing the country’s dire public finances back under control. However, the apparent improvement can largely be... 6th February 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update How are Saudi consumers faring? Saudi consumer spending has grown by 6-7% a year over the past decade, but low-profile indicators suggest that household spending may have lost some steam. 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update PMIs highlight Egypt’s fragile recovery Last month’s PMI suggests that political turmoil surrounding Egypt’s constitutional referendum disrupted economic activity. Meanwhile, growth in non-oil sectors in the Gulf appears to remain strong. 4th February 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update IMF deals and Gulf aid spare MENA’s non-oil producers In spite of their large current account deficits, the MENA region’s non-oil economies have stayed out of the spotlight during the recent turmoil in EM financial markets thanks, it seems, to IMF... 30th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egyptian financial markets rally on hopes for political stability The Egyptian stock market has rallied in recent days amid growing optimism about the prospects for political stability. The recently approved constitution paves the way for elections to take place... 29th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The implications of Egypt's new constitution The approval of Egypt’s new constitution marks a key political milestone, paving the way for fresh elections to take place in the coming months. However, these could lead to a renewed flare-up in... 20th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Central Bank of Egypt holds fire, for now Despite the fall in inflation in December, the Central Bank of Egypt decided to keep interest rates on hold at its meeting today. We think it’s unlikely that today’s decision marks the end of the... 16th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Lebanon's fiscal position could go from bad to worse Recent reports that Lebanon could have a new cabinet in a matter of weeks (having not had one for nine months) have raised hopes that the deteriorating public finances may finally be brought under... 15th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi economy appears to have had a weaker Q4 The latest Saudi activity data add to the evidence that, having rebounded over most of 2013, the economy ended last year on a slightly weaker note. Looking ahead, faster growth in the oil sector means... 13th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Fallout from Egypt’s “second revolution” not as bad as feared Recently released third quarter GDP data show that the impact on Egypt's economy from July's "second revolution" was not as bad as some, ourselves included, had expected. Elsewhere, Qatar remains the... 8th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Public spending set to provide less support to Saudi economy This year’s Saudi government budget envisages the slowest rise in public spending in over a decade. This is welcome from the viewpoint of longer-term fiscal sustainability, but it does mean that... 7th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update PMIs suggest region ended 2013 on a strong note December's 'whole economy' PMIs for the Middle East and North Africa point towards faster growth in Q4 of last year than in Q3. Encouragingly, Egypt's PMI suggests that the economy is continuing to... 6th January 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egyptian stocks soar to post-Arab Spring high The Egyptian stock market has hit a post-"Arab Spring" high. This comes on the back of signs that the economy may finally be finding its feet as well as recent progress towards fresh elections. 23rd December 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt outlook may be brightening following a difficult 2013 The Egyptian economy appears to have suffered a tumultuous second half of the year. On a positive note, the latest data provide signs that the economy may finally be finding its feet. And a recovery... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabian economy ending the year on a weaker note Having rebounded over the past couple of quarters, the Saudi Arabian economy appears to be ending the year on a slightly weaker note. Oil production has fallen back from the highs it reached in the... 17th December 2013 · 1 min read
