Crashworks / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

While OPEC may not take action at its meeting on December 12, most analysts expect the group to cut production in the new year or face depressed crude prices.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries may choose to hold fire at their latest meeting in Vienna on December 12, but it may be forced to cut production in the New Year, analysts say. CONTINUE READING

Kuwaitis have seen a fair number of elections in recent years, but the one being held on December 1 may turn out to be the most significant for the country’s political and economic well-being. CONTINUE READING

Beauty Eye / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Regional banks had the lowest cost-to-income ratios in the world. The Banker magazine’s data shows Middle Eastern banks average cost-to-income ratio was 39.69%, down from 41.37% last year. CONTINUE READING

The Middle East North Africa region welcomed 100 new ultra high networth individuals, as the region’s nearly 5,000-richest individuals avoided the worst of the global economic crisis and regional turmoil, according to Wealth-X, a Singapore-based wealth consultancy. CONTINUE READING

<dt >

. Shell / Foter

Report of Kuwaiti interest in Canadian oil sands companies highlights the treasure trove of oil riches in the North American country. CONTINUE READING

The failed Kuwait-Dow Chemical mega deal is regarded as one of the biggest examples of how the Kuwaiti parliament has hindered the country’s economic progress. CONTINUE READING

Ibrahim Dabdoub’s criticism of Kuwait’s economic malaise highlights the banking sector’s frustration over lack of government reforms and lethargic private sector growth. CONTINUE READING

As the EU crisis worsens, GCC banks are likely to face a higher demand for corporate loans as capital market liquidity tightens…. CONTINUE READING

Stuck in Customs / Foter

Here’s a list Qatar would not want to top: The World Wild Life Fund (WWF) has ranked Qatar as the country with the largest ecological footprint per capita in its latest report. The tiny country is joined by neighbours Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as the three nations with the largest ecological footprint – far exceeding other countries.  READ MORE HERE

The timing could not have been more inconvenient.

In the week Gulf leaders met to discuss ways to create a more unified group, similar to an ‘EU model’, European Union leaders were struggling to keep their group united amid an unravelling economic and political crisis. READ MORE HERE