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 Published in Alarabiya
Analysts are concerned that the US economy is heading toward a recession. Saudi policymakers should prepare for the fallout by continuing to diversify the economy away from oil, while building links to ensure good relations with the next US administration, regardless of political party. Continue  Published in Al Arabiya
Last week, Saudi Arabia loosened travel restrictions on women. While reforms relating to personal rights, including this measure and allowing women to drive, tend to dominate the headlines, they also fall under the Saudi government’s broader effort to increase female labor market participation. A look at the academic literature on the determinants of female labor supply confirms that the Saudi government is being methodical and meticulous in its reforms. Continue  Published in Al Arabiya
The Gulf countries have announced $125 billion of new projects during the first half of 2019. While spending has been rising and falling quarter-to-quarter over the past few years, the long-term trend is upward since 2014. Around half of the latest spending increase is on construction contracts - a 33 percent increase compared to last year – including within the oil and gas sector, which was allocated $29 billion this year (an increase of over 200 percent on the same period in 2018). Although investment in construction supports or spawns a range of economic sectors in line with diversification plans, this investment does not fall directly under the Gulf countries’ long-term economic plans, outlined in a variety of “Vision” strategies. Is this volume of spending a good idea, and to what extent is it consistent with the Gulf countries’ economic strategies? Continue  Published in Al Arabiya
Tomorrow it is widely expected that Boris Johnson will be unveiled as the new prime minister of the UK. Such an event will considerably increase the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit, and will therefore open new economic doors for the Gulf countries, as the UK looks to develop its extra-EU relations. Continue |
Omar Al-Ubaydli
This is where you can find all my articles, as well as some of my interviews and media mentions Archives
June 2020
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