Navigating GCC Equity Exchange Shifts through 2026 thumbnail

Navigating GCC Equity Exchange Shifts through 2026

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5 min read


Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA company, lays out the attractive opportunities of buying GCC Infrastructure, driven by the area's development and federal government efforts.

Diversity is achieve a balanced economy,, Diversity visions and strategies exist. The overall Global EDI is made up of tracking.

Beyond Oil: The Shift Toward Private Ownership in Kuwait

For non-diversified nations, when rate of the commodity falls, there is a substantial decrease in federal government earnings, public costs, bank account balance and international reserves: more volatility. The (consisting of major commodity exporters, not restricted to simply oil) over the, throughout 25 indicators (including three digital indications). The United States And Canada, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific countries leading EDI scores throughout the years.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Even though structural reforms and diversity efforts undertaken by the GCC affected MENA's regional scores positively, it still lags 5 other regional groups., with the top 10 countries having less than a 10-point distinction in ratings (implying the strength of diversity)., alongside 4 upper-middle earnings (China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand) and one lower middle-income country (India, ranked 20th, driven by its services export boom).

Among the e. nations ranked 51 to 70, the performance of Moldova, Indonesia, Armenia and Honduras stick out (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, offered accelerated diversification strategies of many oil-exporting countries. published a stable enhancement due to a mix of lowered reliance on fuel exports, minimized exports concentration and a modification in the composition of exports.

Essential Foreign Investment Opportunities within the Middle East Market

with oil exporters having the lowest scores (though individual country-specific efficiency has actually differed in time). Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan have readings of 100+ as does the UAE while Algeria and Kuwait are on the other end of the spectrum. Throughout all regions, the mean rating is the for both 2000 and 2024, and the greatest in The United States and Canada.

In 2024, the (China was among the top ranked, while Mongolia's score intensified compared to 2000)., but more to do with a "levelling up" at the bottom rather than an enhancement among the leading countries. By comparing the (height of the blue box), least irregularity is seen in South Asia in 2000 and the most in the MENA region (with variance most likely driven by the dichotomy within the region in between the resource-heavy states (e.g.

Sub-Saharan African countries represent around one-third of the overall, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter two together accounting for over 40% of the overall). Consisting of, there has been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the five years pre- and post-pandemic ).

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


and ranked greater than others; UAE is up more than 45 locations in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman increased 17 ranks during the period. The caught or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural change has stalled.

shows a considerable increase in average EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the preliminary period versus 2020-24). with UAE outshining in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade arrangements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partly offered the rise in medium & high-tech manufacturing data).

Can GCC Industrial Growth Outpace Western Averages?

Its diversification metrics have actually stagnated, showing the least improvement between the initial (2000-04) and final (2020-24) referral periods., regardless of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon growth was supported by the GCC's robust domestic need (supported by a strong job pipeline and application) and strong services sector performance.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in an increase in non-hydrocarbon revenue, "mainly showing non-hydrocarbon tax base expansions and income collection effectiveness enhancements", according to the IMF. In the current geopolitical environment identified by intensifying, it remains in the very best interests of commodity reliant nations to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

Sub-Saharan African countries account for around one-third of the total, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter 2 together representing over 40% of the overall). Including, there has been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the five years pre- and post-pandemic ).

and ranked higher than others; UAE is up more than 45 places in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed up 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman rose 17 ranks during the duration. The trapped or even worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural improvement has stalled.

Will GCC Industrial Growth Outpace Global Averages?

shows a substantial boost in typical EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the initial duration versus 2020-24). with UAE surpassing in the trade sub-index (supported by current bilateral trade arrangements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially given the rise in medium & modern manufacturing data).

Its diversification metrics have stagnated, showing the least enhancement in between the preliminary (2000-04) and final (2020-24) recommendation periods., despite the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon growth was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong task pipeline and application) and strong services sector efficiency.

Bahrain’s Open Economy: The Future of Public Sector Competition

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in an increase in non-hydrocarbon income, "mainly showing non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and earnings collection performance enhancements", according to the IMF. In the current geopolitical environment characterized by magnifying, it is in the best interests of product reliant countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

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