On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia To what extent does the current macro backdrop translate into effective credit uptake by SMEs? Which risk-sharing tools can help ...

Saudi Arabia remains a conventional energy powerhouse as non-oil activities make up more than half of national output. As the Kingdom hits the halfway point of Vision 2030, a wide-ranging economic ...

Located at the geographic centre of the MENA region, Egypt has a well-documented history that has seen it accumulate knowledge and wealth over millennia. Egypt proved resilient during the Covid-19 ...

Qatar is channeling its hydrocarbons wealth into long-term economic transformation, with diversification accelerating after the FIFA 2022 World Cup. In 2024 non-oil sectors accounted for over 60% of ...

Almost three years into its ninth five-year plan for 2016-20, Oman is beginning to reap the rewards of efforts to restructure and expand its transport and logistics sector. The Central Bank of Oman’s ...

Sharjah is the only emirate of the seven in the UAE that borders both the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman – as well as all six other emirates – making it strategically important for transport and trade. It ...

In this Global Platform video, Mukesh Thakwani, CEO, B5 Plus Group, discusses the progress within Ghana’s steel industry, with local iron ore deposits helping to address raw material shortages and ...

Bahrain’s strategic location, business-friendly climate and increasingly diversified economy have helped the island country emerge as an appealing destination for international investors in recent ...

In addition to driving economic diversification and innovation, Bahrain’s expanding ICT sector is indicative of the country’s commitment to making its economy more competitive globally. With a young, ...

Near-term sentiment is on the rise amongst Dubai’s business leaders, with the IMF forecasting a healthy GDP growth rate of 4.2% in 2019 for the emirate. While not as exposed as some of its regional ...

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector has already achieved notable success. As of 2022 it is the largest and fastest-growing market in the MENA region, with a value of SR154bn ($41.1bn). The scale of the ...

The cultural and creative economy generates 3.1% of global GDP and supports over 30m jobs. Its scope spans film, music, fashion, heritage and museums, with multiplier effects across supply chains and ...