MEED
Issue 53 31 December 2010 - 6 January 2011
View all stories from this issue.
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China - A shift eastwards for the Middle East
In 2009, China overtook the US as the region’s largest trading partner. The growth in trade is the result of Beijing’s soaring demand for oil and the Middle East’s hunger for lower-cost goods -
Credit Crunch - A lingering financial legacy
The impact of the global downturn on the Middle East’s economies will limit growth and confidence for years to come, particularly if banks remain reluctant to lend to the private sector -
Demographics - Harnessing human capital
Rapidly rising populations represent both an opportunity and a challenge for governments. Much will depend on creating sufficient jobs for new entrants to the labour force -
Downstream - Gulf leads petrochemicals growth
As Middle East oil producers look to build on their access to low-cost energy and feedstock, the centre of gravity of the global petrochemicals market will shift eastwards -
Food Security - Reliance on food imports to rise
Most Middle Eastern governments have conceded that agricultural self-sufficiency is an unachievable dream, but they still need to ensure their growing populations can afford to eat -
Iraq - A new dawn
With a coalition government now in place, Baghdad can start the job of rebuilding Iraq. But the country’s future will depend on appeasing Sunni, Shia and Kurdish interests -
Market Reform - A larger role for capital markets
Along with market consolidation, the next decade will see some radical changes made to the Gulf’s exchanges in a bid to draw in more international investors and boost liquidity -
Nuclear - The race gathers pace
With most Middle East states planning to develop civilian atomic power programmes over the next decade, the risk is the nuclear supply chain will become overstretched -
Oil: The Fuel of the Middle East economy
The impact on the regional economy of the oil price crash from $147 a barrel in mid-2008 to less than $40 a barrel at the start of 2009 demonstrated the importance to the Middle East of working together to minimise market volatility -
Political Reform - Encouraging public participation
Internal pressure from the population is needed to drive a campaign for democracy in the Middle East, but it will also require external pressure from Western governments to succeed -
Power & Water - Meeting demand for utilities in the Gulf
Rapid population growth means the Gulf’s utility providers will have to invest billions of dollars over the next decade to keep pace with consumption -
PPP - The rise of public private partnerships in the Middle East
The political will to adopt the PPP model is spreading, but its success is reliant on improving the structuring and tendering of projects -
Renewables - Looking at energy alternatives
Increasing demand for the region’s hydrocarbons resources is encouraging Middle East governments to turn their attention to alternative energy sources -
Saudi Arabia - A new powerhouse emerges
Saudi Arabia’s massive spending programme over the next decade represents a major opportunity for foreign investors, but the kingdom also faces a series of challenges, not least the question of succession -
Slow progress stalls GCC integration
As the GCC nears its 30th anniversary, the six-member bloc has few achievements to celebrate. A lack of consensus has prevented most joint initiatives from being implemented -
Social Infrastructure - Investing in social technology
To meet the educational and healthcare needs of rising populations, regional governments are prioritising investment in social infrastructure, and technology is set to play a major role -
Succession - New blood, old lineages in the Middle East
Although tradition remains central to the ruling families of the Gulf, the region’s respective rulers are looking to modernise their succession models -
Technology - Mobile internet a technological revolution
Mobile internet will be a major growth area in the decade ahead. Despite fragmented access at present, all Middle East countries are expected to have full mobile coverage by 2015 -
Tehran stands at a political crossroads
Iran’s political future is uncertain, but as the government starts to phase out subsidies and with US sanctions beginning to bite, Ahmedinejad could soon find his hand forced -
The Middle East economy in the next decade - Survey results
While political reform, technology and China will be important factors shaping the region in 2020, the push to establish a sustainable, diversified economy will remain key to growth in the next 10 years -
Transport - Connecting trade routes
The Middle East is investing billions of dollars developing its rail, port and aviation sectors to become a global hub for passengers and cargo
