Gulf Economic Barometer
The Gulf Economic Barometer monitors initiatives taken by Gulf states as they seek fiscal, monetary, and trade policy changes to meet the challenge of reduced state revenue from natural resources. The key trend is a major shift in the way Gulf Arab countries have been spending on public sector wages, infrastructure, and social services over the last decade. The GEB documents the policy changes as they are announced and/or implemented by country and by sector and is updated regularly as data becomes available. The information here is neither official nor exhaustive.
Fitch Ratings revises its outlook on Saudi Arabia’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating to “stable” from “negative.”
Fitch Ratings revises its outlook on Saudi Arabia's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating to “stable” from “negative.”
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Kuwait’s Cabinet approves a fiscal stimulus package that contains measures to provide liquidity for small- and medium-sized enterprises and directives for local banks to postpone select loan repayments for a 3-month period.
Market Watch: Trade Wars and Bond-Offs: Side Effects of Tariffs and Tactical Borrowing Hit the Gulf
Market Watch: U.S.-Saudi Economic Ties: Why Saudi Arabia Matters
Market Watch: Oman’s Investment and Reform Strategy: “Slow and Go”
by Karen E. Young
Oman exemplifies the challenges of generating investment and infrastructure growth with diminishing fiscal resources.
The Bridge: ADNOC Accelerates Partnership Initiatives and Expands Investment Opportunities.
Market Watch: Bahrain’s Road to Economic Reform: One Size Does Not Fit All
Market Watch: UAE Fiscal Policy — Shining Light on Federal Resource Sharing
Market Watch: Oman’s Fiscal Management Problem
by Karen E. Young
For Oman, balancing domestic pressures against necessary economic reforms is proving difficult.
Market Watch: Saudi Arabia’s Impeccable Timing in Debt Markets
by Karen E. Young
Saudi Arabia's unprecedented bond sale worth $17.5 billion had impeccable timing, given Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election.
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Market Watch: GCC Sovereign Debt in a Low Yield World
by Karen E. Young
Low yields result in more accessible capital for GCC states, however repayment could be a challenge in the long term.
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Issue Paper: Gulf Islamic Finance in a Time of Austerity
Market Watch: The Debt Roadshow Begins
by Karen E. Young GCC states show significant interest in sovereign debt, in the form of bonds and loans.
Market Watch: Enter China: The New Bilateral Middle East Aid-Security-Trade Nexus
Market Watch: New Year, Same Economy
Market Watch: Counting the Cost – Military Expenditure in the GCC
As budget deficits become the new norm for oil-exporting Arab Gulf states, there is no evidence that they are cutting down on defense spending.Market Watch: Egypt’s Economic Recovery Linked to Gulf Banks and Foreign Investment
Market Watch: It’s all in the Financing – Renewable Energy Potential in the GCC and Iran
Market Watch: “Monetizing Assets” – Has a Great Gulf Sell-Off Begun?
by Karen E. Young Oil and gas producing states in the region have started to sell off their assets in order to offset the declining energy prices.