Saudi Arabia

We expect real GDP growth to pick up in 2008 and 2009 to hit 3.8% and 4.1% respectively, on the back of strong growth non-oil growth and healthy government consumption.

We have revised up our end-year inflation forecasts for Saudi Arabia to 8.0% y-o-y and 5.0% y-o-y for 2008 and 2009 respectively, on the back of reports that growth in the consumer... 2008-05-27

A recent report by campaign group Human Rights Watch has severely criticised the treatment of women in Saudi society. In particular, the report criticised the system of male guardianship,... 2008-05-02

We are forecasting export revenues of US$272.1bn in Saudi Arabia in 2008, up 11.7% on 2007 thanks to a surge in global oil prices.

BMI View: In an effort to increase the pace of diversification away from the hydrocarbons sector, as well as create jobs and reduce regional disparities, we welcome the government's... 2008-05-02

BMI View: The UAE looks set to be the hardest hit by infrastructural shortages, but all of the GCC states (barring Qatar) are lacking the necessary power supply: with the cost of... 2008-05-01

We are forecasting an aggregate real GDP growth rate of 5.9% this year, both for the Gulf region (including Iran, Iraq and Yemen), and for the GCC. Next year the GCC will maintain... 2008-04-04

BMI View: Inflation will continue to trouble Saudi Arabia's economy in the short-term: we are forecasting end-year CPI of 5.0% y-o-y in 2008, as abundant liquidity from petro-dollar... 2008-03-27

Although Saudi Arabia has decided against an outright boycott of the Arab League summit in the Damascus on March 29-30, King Abdullah II will not attend and has opted to send a low-level... 2008-03-27

We expect real GDP growth to pick up again in 2008 and 2009, coming in at around 4.3% and 4.5% respectively, on the back of an increase in oil production and a strong performance... 2008-03-27