Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia HSBC/Markit PMI (June) June’s PMI data suggest that Saudi Arabia’s economy is in something of a sweet spot at present, with output in the non-oil private sector picking up pace and inflation pressures starting to ease a... 5th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Tight lending conditions prevail The private sector in the oil-rich Gulf States (in particular the UAE and Kuwait) is still struggling with tight credit conditions. The region’s banks are slowly recovering from the aftermath of the... 21st June 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Does the Gulf's foreign exchange policy still makes sense? Concerns that the dollar is set to weaken further has reignited the debate on the dollar peg in the Gulf, which if abandoned would allow the region’s central banks to take control of monetary policy... 18th June 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia HSBC/Markit PMI (May) May’s PMI data show that employment in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector grew at its fastest rate since the end of 2009. Meanwhile, exports grew rapidly in May, which is most likely due to a boost... 6th June 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Can the Saudi economy manage without foreign workers? The announcement by Saudi Arabia’s government that foreign worker visas will not be renewed beyond six years will be a major blow for the country’s private sector. If the plans are implemented, there... 31st May 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What is the impact of a fall in tourism revenues? The fall in tourism revenues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will have serious economic implications in the near term. Even if visitor numbers start to increase (as political... 25th May 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Price pressures are mounting Rising global commodity prices have pushed food price inflation up in most Arab countries. The recent depreciation in the dollar and government fiscal stimulus have also contributed to the increase in... 20th May 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What are the implications of expanding the GCC? The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) decision to invite Jordan and Morocco to join shows the Council’s determination to ensure the political survival of the two remaining (and friendly) Arab... 11th May 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia HSBC/Markit PMI (Apr.) April’s PMI data show that even though the overall performance of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector remains strong, the pace of growth is slowing down. More worryingly, price pressures are... 3rd May 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update How will the Syrian crisis affect the Middle East? The rapidly deteriorating political situation in Syria will undoubtedly worsen the economic conditions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Admittedly, the country’s GDP amounted to less... 28th April 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economic Outlook Gulf countries key to regional stability The social unrest spreading through the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will result in a two-way split in economic performance across the region. In the resource-rich countries, high oil prices... 20th April 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack A split in regional economic performance The rapidly deteriorating political situation in Syria will undoubtedly worsen the economic conditions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Admittedly, the country’s GDP amounted to less... 12th April 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia HSBC/Markit PMI (Mar.) March’s PMI data show that domestic demand is still driving growth in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector; new export orders are growing but at a slower pace than overall new orders. 5th April 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The economic implications of Saudi Arabia's latest stimulus The scale of Friday’s announced fiscal boost in Saudi Arabia will have significant medium-term economic implications for the Middle East region. Admittedly, the direct beneficiaries will be Saudi... 21st March 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Why is the Bahrain crisis so important for the Middle East? The deteriorating political situation in Bahrain may have very serious economic consequences for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Admittedly, the country’s economy is minor and it... 15th March 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Political unrest overshadows strong recovery A strong economic performance in 2010 did not help ease the political pressures on Middle Eastern countries. Perhaps the economic recovery has actually contributed to the feelings of injustice as many... 8th March 2011 · 1 min read
