UAE: Saudi Arabia has been growing strongly in 2014. The economy is benefiting from robust non-hydrocarbon sector performance, boosted by strong government investment in diversification and infrastructure. The country recently announced plans to open its domestic equities market to foreign investors, according to an economist.
“Abu Dhabi’s non-oil sector has been the key driver, boosted by rising spending on infrastructure and economic diversification. Dubai is also growing steadily as all key sectors – including trade, tourism and retail – benefit from strong regional trade flows and from the emirate’s position as a regional services and trade hub and a major tourist destination,” Marios Maratheftis, Managing Director, Global Head of Macroeconomic research, Standard Chartered Bank, said.
“In Egypt, real GDP growth has posted the strongest turnaround since 2011. FX aid from GCC states and the fiscal reform measures undertaken by the new government have been credit-positive,”
Standard Chartered Bank hosted a Macro-Economic briefing session titled “Transition and Divergence” for its Corporate, Priority and Private Banking clients at Etihad Towers Hotel, Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Following the success of those sessions across the region last year, the Bank held similar briefings to clients in Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar. The bank will also hold two more sessions for is clients in Dubai and Oman on 27 and 28 October respectively.
The sessions are held exclusively for Standard Chartered Bank’s clients; with a cohesive programme that provides in-depth insight and analysis on the global, regional, and local economic outlook as well as the financial picture for the remainder of the year 2014 and next year. Maratheftis was joined by Managing Director, Global Head of Macro Research, Standard Chartered Bank, John Davies, US Interest Rate, Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank and Shady Shaher, Senior Economist, Standard Chartered Bank provide their insights and outlook on the local, regional and global economy.
“The economic dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are increasingly diverging between the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries and the rest of the region,” he said.
“The GCC enjoys strong social and geopolitical stability and a hydrocarbon sector that has created wealth and supported investment. This has driven record growth rates in the region in the past five years. Diversification remains fundamental to the region’s economic stability in the long run. GCC economies are perusing investments in the right direction, addressing infrastructure needs and investing in sectors that will create more opportunities in the long run,” he said.
“Globally, transition has been a main theme for 2014, and this still holds true for both China and the US. China is rebalancing its economy. This theme will continue to apply to 2015 and beyond, but next year also looks set to be one of great divergence, with monetary policy in major economies out of sync for the first time in years. Central banks in the US, UK, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan look set to start increasing policy rates in 2015,” Mohsin Nathani, Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered UAE, said.
“Standard Chartered Bank’s Global Research Briefings are an ideal platform where our clients interact with our global and regional economists and experts to gain insights views about the latest social, economic and financial developments affecting the global trade and finance markets.”
“It is our international footprint across the world’s most dynamic markets and our strong on-the-ground presence that continues to deepen our relationships and bring value addition to our clients here. We remain committed to bringing International expertise and financial solutions to our Corporate and Institutional, Retail, Commercial, Priority and Private Banking clients in the UAE.”
“The GCC will continue to benefit from healthy growth, underpinned by oil and government-led investment. In the wider MENA region, stability is needed to drive genuine foreign investment flows that will help create much-needed jobs
“In Qatar, the economy has benefited from a steady acceleration in government spending. The key drivers of long-term growth are National Vision 2030 and the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Infrastructure investment is taking centre stage. Managing inflation risk will be a key challenge for Qatar over the next five years.”
“Jordan’s tourism sector, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and jobs, has been among the hardest hit sectors by regional conflict; tourist arrivals fell more than 14% in 2013,” he said.