Government Archives - Page 3 of 6

Chinese Steel Redirection: The Structural Threat to Gulf Manufacturers

by tag | May 22, 2026 | Business | 0 |

China exported a record 131 million metric tonnes of steel in 2025, and GCC markets absorbed a significant share. This investigation covers the subsidised surplus mechanics, the Strait of Hormuz supply crunch, the split between primary producers and downstream fabricators, and what the green steel transition changes for Gulf manufacturers.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 at a Fork: Scale Back or Borrow More?

by tag | May 13, 2026 | Government | 0 |

Saudi Arabia entered May 2026 with a first-quarter budget deficit of $33.5 billion, more than double the shortfall recorded in the same period a year earlier. The Strait of Hormuz closure has cut oil revenues while government spending rises. Riyadh is now choosing between scaling back its Vision 2030 megaprojects or deepening its position in international debt markets. This analysis examines the fiscal data, the specific project decisions underway at NEOM and the Public Investment Fund, and the contrasting positions of Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait in the same shock.

OPEC+ production vs. fiscal breakevens: a country-by-country scorecard

by tag | May 4, 2026 | Government | 0 |

OPEC+ quota agreements cap revenue across GCC states while fiscal breakevens remain elevated. This scorecard ranks Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain on five variables and quantifies the gap between production-constrained income and budget requirements.

The Hormuz Blockade is Repricing Risk Across GCC Construction

by tag | Apr 16, 2026 | Business, Government | 0 |

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is disrupting GCC construction at its core. Rising material costs, shipping delays, and shifting contractor dynamics are forcing developers to rethink risk, timelines, and capital allocation. This analysis explains what it means for Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s 2026 property pipeline and which developers are best positioned to withstand a high-cost, high-delay environment.

The Productivity Paradox in Oman’s SME Economy

by tag | Jan 14, 2026 | Business | 0 |

Oman’s SME sector employs more than three quarters of the private workforce, yet contributes only a fraction of total economic output. New data reveals a widening productivity gap that challenges long-standing assumptions about job creation, growth, and private sector development. As policymakers confront this imbalance, the focus must shift from counting firms to improving output per worker.

The Missing Middle: Why Oman’s Startups Stop Growing

by tag | Jan 5, 2026 | Business | 0 |

Oman’s startup ecosystem is growing in number but not in depth. While micro-enterprises continue to expand rapidly, medium-sized firms remain largely stagnant. This analysis explains how tax thresholds, labor regulations, and financing gaps are creating a “missing middle” that prevents Omani businesses from scaling, and why fixing this structural issue is critical for Oman Vision 2040.

UAE Strategic Roadmap for Innovation in 2026

by tag | Jan 1, 2026 | Artficial Intelligence, Government, Information Technology | 0 |

Q1 2026 marks a decisive shift in the UAE’s innovation strategy, from long-term planning to coordinated execution at scale. As artificial intelligence is embedded across governance, energy, security, and mobility, the country is operating less like a test market and more like a systems integrator. This analysis explains how the UAE is translating Vision 2031 into measurable economic impact, sovereign digital infrastructure, and operational resilience.