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Will Gulf Industrial Success Outpace Global Benchmarks?

Published Aug 20, 26
5 min read


Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA company, details the attractive chances of buying GCC Infrastructure, driven by the region's development and government initiatives.

Diversification is attain a balanced economy,, Diversity visions and techniques exist. The overall Global EDI is composed of tracking.

For non-diversified nations, when rate of the product falls, there is a considerable decrease in federal government earnings, public costs, present account balance and global reserves: more volatility. The (including significant commodity exporters, not limited to just oil) over the, across 25 indicators (including 3 digital indicators). North America, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific nations top EDI scores over the years.

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


Although structural reforms and diversity efforts undertaken by the GCC impacted MENA's regional ratings favorably, it still lags 5 other local groups., with the top 10 nations having less than a 10-point distinction in ratings (indicating the strength of diversity)., together with 4 upper-middle income (China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand) and one lower middle-income country (India, ranked 20th, driven by its services export boom).

Amongst the e. nations ranked 51 to 70, the performance of Moldova, Indonesia, Armenia and Honduras stand out (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, offered sped up diversity strategies of lots of oil-exporting countries. posted a constant improvement due to a mix of lowered reliance on fuel exports, minimized exports concentration and a modification in the composition of exports.

Why Economic Diversification Boosts Middle East Stability for 2026

with oil exporters having the most affordable scores (though specific country-specific efficiency has actually differed with 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. Across all regions, the mean score is the for both 2000 and 2024, and the highest in The United States and Canada.

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

Sub-Saharan African countries account for around one-third of the overall, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter two together accounting for over 40% of the total). 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 higher than others; UAE is up more than 45 locations in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman rose 17 ranks throughout the duration. The caught or even worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural change has stalled.

reveals a substantial boost in average EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the initial period versus 2020-24). with UAE exceeding in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade arrangements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially provided the surge in medium & modern manufacturing information).

Will GCC Non-Oil Growth Exceed Western Averages?

Its diversification metrics have actually stagnated, showing the least enhancement between the initial (2000-04) and last (2020-24) recommendation 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 task pipeline and implementation) and strong services sector efficiency.

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

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

and ranked greater than others; UAE is up more than 45 places 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 transformation has actually stalled.

Can Gulf Non-Oil Growth Outpace Western Averages?

reveals a substantial boost in typical EDI scores 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 outperforming in the trade sub-index (supported by current bilateral trade agreements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially given the surge in medium & high-tech manufacturing information).

Its diversity metrics have stagnated, showing the least improvement between the preliminary (2000-04) and final (2020-24) reference periods., in spite of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon expansion was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong task pipeline and execution) and strong services sector performance.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon income, "primarily showing non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and revenue collection effectiveness enhancements", according to the IMF. In the existing geopolitical environment defined by heightening, it remains in the finest interests of commodity reliant countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

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