Economy

Stellar growth of over 10% in 2003 is unlikely to be repeated in 2004, although economic prospects remain bright. While we continue to anticipate that oil prices will dissipate in... 2004-09-10

BMI View: According to the Ministry of National Economy, nominal GDP expanded by 5.9% in Q104. Since consumer price inflation was marginally negative at -0.1%, real GDP was up 6.5%... 2004-09-06

Economic growth will be robust again this year with strong global oil demand continuing and non-oil exports showing signs of healthy expansion. Jobs are being created at a rate of... 2004-08-13

There is significant upside risk to our forecast for real GDP growth this year. We are currently predicting an expansion of 3.7%, however anecdotal data suggest that economic output,... 2004-08-13

We expect real growth of 7% in 2004, primarily driven by strong oil revenues, and underpinned by expanding capacity in oil refining, aluminium production, and services (particularly... 2004-08-12

We expect 3.6% growth this year, rising to 4.2% in 2005. In this scenario, population growth will continue to outstrip GDP growth, increasing unemployment and reducing per capita... 2004-08-12

The continued buoyancy of oil prices, which suggests continued upside risk even to our revised year-average forecast of US$30/b (OPEC basket), means that the term economic outlook... 2004-08-11

The OPEC basket has averaged US$35.8/b so far in Q3. BMI View: With fears for supply in Iraq after renewed threats against southern oil fields by Moqtada al-Sadr's 'Mahdi Army' risks... 2004-08-10

Stock market indices are up 30% on the start of the year, highlighting continued activity among cash-rich investors. BMI View: New bonds and other financial innovations will keep... 2004-08-09

Saudi consumers in urban areas are becoming increasingly Westernised in their habits and tastes. This is largely due to the growing popularity of shopping malls, especially among... 2004-07-08