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
Commodities Update Libyan end-game to knock at least $10 off oil prices We continue to expect the price of a barrel of Brent, currently $119, to fall back to $85 by the end of the year. This forecast is based largely on persistent sluggishness in demand, a stronger dollar... 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 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 What is the economic impact of Egypt's new budget? Egypt’s government budget for the fiscal year 2011/12 (which starts in July) has focused on public sector salaries, as well as food and fuel subsidies, which is predictable given the social unrest and... 2nd June 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update How much will foreign aid help Egypt? Recent reports of a G8 ‘Marshal Plan’, as well as pledges of financial aid and investment from the Gulf, US and Europe, have contributed to a rally in Egypt’s stock market in recent weeks, which has... 27th 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 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 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
