The Egyptian economy could grow by 4% in the current fiscal year despite a plethora of challenges facing the country. READ MORE HERE

With Gulf economies poised for growth on the back of strong macroeconomic policies, regional stock markets are also set for growth. READ MORE HERE

The Egyptian economy contracted by 0.3% in the fourth quarter ending a politically-momentous but economically-forgettable year for the country.  READ MORE HERE

mmoneib /Free Photos

A spate of new announcements from international oil companies suggests Egypt’s mature oil and gas sector remains formidable.

Despite significant political and economic problems in Egypt and falling crude production levels, the country’s oil and gas sector remains attractive to international companies. READ MORE HERE

Human Rights Watch reports, by their very nature, never present a rosy outlook as they are given to highlighting the atrocities of governments and the lack of dignity and freedom they present to millions of their hapless citizens across the world.

And so its 2012 World Report is no exception. Paying special emphasis to Arab Spring, the report grimly notes that while the revolutions that broke out across the region euphoric, there is nothing inevitable about transitions to democracy. READ MORE HERE

Love My Tours /Foter

Close to 500 new hotels – or 496 to be exact – are being built in the Middle East Africa region, according to STR Global, the hospitality consultancy.

These hotels will feature 133,438 rooms, according to the consultancy, with Dubai leading the way with 13,349 rooms under construction. READ MORE HERE

Riyadh and Jeddah had a stellar 2010-2011, clocking the second and third highest growth rates in the world according to The Brookings Institution’s 2011 Global MetroMonitor.

Their performance was only bettered by the Chinese economic engine Shanghai, which saw its income rise nearly 10% during the 2010-11 period. READ MORE HERE

enggul /Foter

January 15, 2012

Egypt is now among the ten riskiest sovereigns in the world, according to the latest report from CMA Datavision. In other words, Egypt is among the nations most likely to default on its debt.

While that does not necessarily mean that Egypt will default, its spread has risen as investors are nervous that the country could default.  READ MORE HERE

Excerpt from Citibank report:

In October this year, $16.9bn of projects were awarded across MENA. On a cumulative basis, just over $82bn of projects have been awarded across the region in the year to end October. This compares favourably with FY10 when almost $80bn of projects were awarded. Saudi Arabia is the main driving force accounting for a third of the 2011 total. Iraq accounts for 20%.The UAE has awarded almost $14bn in the year to end October, almost $20bn below FY10.
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