Kuwait

We anticipate strong growth of 5% in 2005, falling back a little to 4.7% in 2006. Lower oil prices in 2006 (BMI forecasts an average OPEC basket price of US$28/b) will have a contractionary... 2005-02-11

Indications of a government clampdown on Islamists emerged in December and January. In one key incident, riot police surrounded the headquarters of the Islamist-dominated professional... 2005-02-11

Further evidence of a government crackdown on Islamism in the Kingdom emerged in January with clashes between the government and the Islamist-dominated professional associations union.... 2005-02-07

We anticipate the current post-Iraq war boom will be sustained over the next year and forecast that Jordan will achieve 5% growth in 2005: an improvement on the annual average of... 2005-01-24

In a surprise move at the end of November, King Abdullah stripped his half-brother Prince Hamzah of his position as heir to the throne. Although a new Crown Prince had not been named... 2005-01-10

King Abdullah has relieved his half brother Prince Hamzah of his duties as Crown Prince and heir to the throne.

Data for fiscal performance in Q1 have been positive and suggest that the budget deficit target of 3.9% of GDP is attainable. In the first three months of this year, the budget balance... 2004-11-12

The prime minister has reshuffled a number of key ministerial posts, adding ten new members to the cabinet. BMI View: Given that relations with Israel have deteriorated recently,... 2004-11-01

Real GDP grew by 7.2% in H1 compared to 2.8% in 2003. Growth was driven mainly by a 14% rise in convertible industry output, while manufacturing expanded by 2.1%, transport &... 2004-10-14

The government's efforts to gradually liberalise the political environment have not always produced the desired results and it still resorts to non-democratic practices under the... 2004-10-06