The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for global economic growth for 2012, but said prospective gains remain in doubt as Geopolitical tensions and other factors influence prices Abu Dhabi plans increase in output to meet demand. Global

Banking sector of Saudi Arabia continued to maintain its sound financial position during first quarter of 2012. The policy makers, which comprise the Ministry of Finance, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), Capital Market Authority (CMA) and other

The Kingdom’s stock exchange made a promising start to 2012, raising further the anticipation that international investors might soon have direct entry to this $337bn market. On March 25, the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) – the biggest bourse in the GCC

In a curious twist of events, the US administration is gearing up to increase its vigil on oil market speculators — so as to tame the galloping gas prices. US President Barack Obama has asked Congress for help in policing oil markets and to be on the

The enactment of Saudi Arabia’s long-awaited mortgage law will act as a catalyst for the domestic real estate sector. The law should enhance the market’s sophistication and widen funding options for middle and low-middle income groups if applied and

Oil prices are in three digits - for some time now. Yet despite the spike, the supply side of the global equation is not being blamed as 'markets are well supplied.' The tide apparently has turned, with the tightness in the global oil markets seen over

Saudi Arabia is investing tens of billions of dollars in an effort to boost petrochemicals production in its core industrial zones by 50 per cent. The kingdom is also shifting its emphasis to more specialised downstream products to create jobs in a

In the last few years, in every regional and international report you will find Kuwait is the lowest in ranking. The last two reports were on education and development and in both we came in last and are at the bottom. In education we go to school 32

Set to ride a rising wave of interest in its free trade zones, Dubai is cashing in on its long-term investments to further bolster its economy by attracting new clients looking for a stable and central base of operations. Covering a wide range of

All of a sudden we are all complaining about high oil prices, from the biggest oil producer to the biggest consumers. Still however oil prices are stubbornly hanging at 125 US dollars a barrel. So what is the solution? The debate continues to become

This year is likely to be characterized by two significant departures from the pattern. In the words of Chief Economist Jarmo T. Kotilaine of the National Commercial Bank, "GCC growth is likely to revert to its longer-term norm while becoming more