Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What next for Libya? The Libyan economy may begin to feel the benefits of ‘regime change’ sooner than many commentators expect. Given the composition of the Transitional National Council (TNC) and Libya’s vast financial... 23rd August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Price pressures have eased in the Gulf Inflation pressures are easing in most countries in the Middle East. In the oil-rich Gulf States, despite a rapid rise in food inflation over the past two months, subdued housing costs have eased... 20th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What is the outlook for inflation in the GCC? The recent data show that inflation has either stabilised or started to fall in most Gulf countries over the past few months. And with a fall in food inflation set to outweigh a stimulus-related rise... 19th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Tunisia and Morocco are most at risk from the euro-zone crisis It goes without saying that the risks to North Africa’s economies from the deepening crisis in the euro-zone have increased in recent weeks. The EU is the major trading partner and source of tourism... 12th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Egypt Consumer Prices (Jul.) July’s data show that a slowdown in food inflation helped to ease overall consumer price pressures in Egypt. But core inflation (which is the Central Bank’s preferred measure for setting interest... 11th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Can the Gulf economies withstand an oil price shock? The drop in the oil price over the past two weeks has led to concerns that the Gulf States will have to scale back their recent spending plans. Admittedly, the current budget commitments are likely to... 11th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia HSBC/Markit PMI (Jul) July’s PMI data show that output in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector grew at its slowest rate since the beginning of 2010. However, exports growth hit a record high in July. This is good news... 4th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response UAE HSBC/Markit PMI (Jul) July’s PMI data show that the UAE’s non-oil private sector is still growing, but the pace of growth has slowed. The deteriorating global economic climate and the country’s own credit squeeze seem to... 4th August 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economic Outlook Despite a weak global economy, the Gulf is set to grow The high oil price and increased production will ensure continued healthy revenues in the oil-rich Gulf States. As a result, government spending is likely to increase further, which will ensure that... 30th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What is the impact of Saudi Arabia’s aid to Jordan? Saudi Arabia’s additional $1 billion in aid to Jordan will help to avert a short-term fiscal crisis in the resource-poor country. But we are more concerned that this aid will lead to government... 27th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Fiscal woes in the resource-poor countries High energy prices have widened the fiscal gap in the Middle East. In the oil-rich Gulf States, the governments are awash with oil money. Meanwhile, the resource-poor Arab countries are struggling... 20th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Can it get any worse for the Arab world’s equity markets? Most equity markets in the Arab world have bounced back from the lows reached in March when regional political risks were at their highest. Since the initial bounce though, overall market performance... 15th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The latest on Egypt’s transition The euphoria that accompanied Egypt’s January revolution has given way to the realities of the economic and political challenges facing the country. Overall, we think that the initial expectations of... 13th July 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Why should the euro-zone crisis worry Egypt and Tunisia? The negative outlook for the euro-zone economies will increase pressure on the economies of Egypt and Tunisia, both of which have been hit hard by political turmoil. The European Union (EU) is the... 12th July 2011 · 1 min read
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
Global Markets Focus Will emerging markets outperform again? The relative valuations of emerging market equities and bonds are no longer as attractive as they have been in the past. But the fears of overheating and hard landings that have held many back so far... 1st July 2011 · 1 min read
