Oman Archive

9 key points from the GCC Summit

alifarabia | May 29, 2012

TweetThe 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’,

Can Gulf stock markets maintain momentum?

alifarabia | April 24, 2012

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

What If Oil Prices Drop Suddenly?: The GCC Dilemma, As Imagined By Citibank

alifarabia | March 12, 2012

Barclays Capital expects GCC economies to rise 5.4% this year, but Citibank worries that a sudden drop in oil prices could leave the states with a dilemma: whether

MENA 2012 Outlook: Oil Exporting Countries

alifarabia | December 18, 2011

In the first part of the 2012 regional economic prospects, a look at oil-rich countries' efforts to manage their citizens' expectations, economic slowdown and regional and domestic political

1. ABC Centre Achrafieh. Global Rank 37. US/sq.ft/yr $186

The Middle East’s 10 Most Expensive Retail Locations

alifarabia | September 28, 2011

Middle East retail rents staganted in the 2010/11 period which ended in June, according to research consultants Cushman & Wakefield (C&W;).

Outlook For UAE Darkens; Gulf Not Immune Either: Deutsche Bank

alifarabia | September 25, 2011

The UAE which is more aligned than other regional states to global economic cycles, saw its PMI fall from 57.5 in April to 51.0 in July, suggesting

Middle East’s Q3 Economic Prospects Look Dim On Global Slowdown

alifarabia | August 9, 2011

As the global economy lurches from one crisis to the next, we look at the prospects for the regional economies in troubling global conditions which could slash domestic

How The S&P Downgrade Impacts the Gulf States

alifarabia | August 7, 2011

Realign the regional economies to the new realities

After Losing $33B in H1, Gulf Markets Hope For Better Second Half

alifarabia | July 26, 2011

TweetGulf markets have lagged other global emerging and developed markets for years. Even as the S&P 500 and other emerging market indices rescaled their pre-Lehman levels, Gulf markets

No Arab Spring Dividends For The Middle East?

alifarabia | July 11, 2011

TweetThe Arab World’s tryst with democracy and freedom is unlikely to bear economic fruits, according to a study. Instead, we could well see a gridlock political environment and

Cast Your Vote In Arab Spring Awards

alifarabia | June 21, 2011

TweetSpring is nearly six months old. It is time to take stock, remember those who lost their lives and continue to fight, and hand out some well-deserved awards

High-Spending Gulf In Dilemma As Opec Loses Relevance

alifarabia | June 12, 2011

With Opec seemingly irrelevant, the GCC is trying to find a balance between responsible crude suppliers and their own domestic needs

Middle East Countries Fall In Peace Index

alifarabia | May 28, 2011

TweetQatar, which has been beating its regional rival on economic performance, has also won the title of the most peaceful country in the Middle East North Africa region.

$1.6T Middle East Projects Are Delayed Or Cancelled: Citibank

alifarabia | May 15, 2011

TweetClose to $1.6-trillion worth of projects are cancelled or are on hold in the Middle East and East North African market, with $800-billion in the UAE alone, according

Gulf Plus: The GCC Looks To Expand Its Sphere Of Influence

alifarabia | May 12, 2011

TweetJordan and Morocco’s possible inclusion in the Gulf is a political move rather than an economic one, but there might be other - unlikely - candidates in the

Middle East States’ Foreign Assets To Hit $2.2 Trillion By Year End: IIF

alifarabia | May 5, 2011

TweetThe Arab World’s foreign assets will rise to a stunning $2.2-trillion this year, says the IIF. But the key to growth in the region will not be financial

Japan quake and China hard landing to impact Gulf trade flow

alifarabia | May 4, 2011

TweetWith Japan shaken by the quake and China looking at hard landing, the Gulf’s two largest partners are going through a tumultuous period, which could impact their trade

Gulf States Have World’s Lowest Corporate Tax Regimes

alifarabia | April 21, 2011

TweetMost Gulf states offer some of the lowest tax rates to Forbes 2000 companies. But is there a link between the trouble in other Middle East states and

Great Arab Job Hunt: Unemployment costs MENA $40-50 Billlion A Year - McKinsey

alifarabia | April 18, 2011

TweetThe region loses $40-50-billion in economic loss due to youth unemployment, notes a McKinsey report. The problem will only get worse due to huge mismatch between the skills

Saudi and Opec breakeven oil prices are rising at worrying levels

alifarabia | April 6, 2011

Tweet Saudi Arabia needs oil prices to remain at $83 to $ 88 a barrel to breakeven - almost double of what it was three years ago. Rising

What Were The Middle East’s Best And Worst Performing Stocks In Q1?

alifarabia | April 6, 2011

TweetWhat were the MENA region’s best performing stocks in the first quarter - more importantly, which were the worst that burnt investors, including one that fell 99.02% in

Gold Reserves of Middle East & North Africa Governments

alifarabia | March 27, 2011

TweetSaudi Arabia’s gold reserves dwarf Libya’s hordings. Here is a selected list of countries with the biggest gold reserves, including almost every Middle East nation.

EFG-Hermes’ Insightful Heat Map On Middle East’s Problems

alifarabia | March 16, 2011

TweetRead why EFG-Hermes is worried about Omani and Bahraini growth. And the bank’s insightful regional heat map that neatly highlights problem areas. Read the full story here

Gulf’s ‘Marshall Plan’ Blues

alifarabia | March 15, 2011

TweetJust when analysts were giving up on a truly unified GCC, the six states have closed ranks with the unmistakable presence of Saudi tanks and soldiers on Bahraini

How Much Wealth Do Arab Rulers Control Directly?

alifarabia | March 6, 2011

TweetThe rulers and royal families of the Arab World directly control more than $240-billion of investments in publicly-listed firms, surpassing SWF and government institutions, according to data. Read

Reforms Are Need Of The Hour, Not Stimulus Packages

alifarabia | February 23, 2011

TweetQuantitative easing and stimulus packages in the Gulf region are not enough if they are not backed by a healthy dose of social and political reforms. Read More

MENA Growth Prospects Hurt by Egypt Crisis

alifarabia | January 31, 2011

TweetAs events in Egypt change faster than you can update them on Twitter or Facebook, regional authorities are looking at the short-term and long-term impact of the crisis