On ways to attract capital and accelerate recovery and production plans Which factors should be weighed in determining where limited public investment should be targeted for humanitarian assistance in 2025? MOHAMMAD SAFWAT RASLAN: The first priority is to focus on projects that directly affect daily life: electricity, water, transport access and other basic infrastructure. Much of this infrastructure…
Sharjah has engineered a transformation into a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region. The emirate’s success is powered by a uniquely integrated ecosystem that seamlessly connects talent development at institutions like the American University of Sharjah (AUS), venture creation and mentorship through the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), and scaling…
On rebuilding trust, driving reform and fostering growth How much has the Ministry of Finance changed since your arrival earlier in 2025? MOHAMMED YISR BARNIEH: We are committed to rebuilding trust between the ministry, the private sector and society. When I arrived, we faced a deteriorating financial environment, weak institutions and a system of corruption and bureaucracy. My first initiative…
On navigating an economic reawakening and emerging potential What makes this period an especially important moment for economic and social development? MOHAMED HAYKAL: As Syria emerges from a long period of dictatorship and lawlessness to rejoin the free world, it is undergoing a profound transformation. I have returned many times since what most Syrians refer to as the liberation. During these…
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 services. Yet, despite its scale, the sector is often grouped with media or leisure, limiting visibility and complicating benchmarking. Trends such as digitalisation, immersive formats, and alignment…
This report explores socio-economic transformation in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia, highlighting the region's strategic emphasis on community satisfaction, economic diversification and urban revitalisation. Al Madinah's commitment to citizen well-being is evident through a digital shift in public services, green space expansion and improved infrastructure, aligning with national…
Click here to read our Qatar Economic Report and Investment Analysis 2025 online …
The economy continued to grow in 2023, with estimates indicating that GDP has grown at constant prices by 1.2%. This was supported by the growth of the hydrocarbons sector by 1.4% and the non-hydrocarbons sector by 1.1%. The IMF estimates that the local economy will grow by 2% at the end of the current year, with growth jumping to 4.1% annually during 2025-29 – propped up by gas production expansion…
Interview: Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman, Qatar Chamber, on the importance that infrastructure plays in attracting foreign direct investment How are the private sector and public-private partnerships (PPPs) supporting Qatar’s economic diversification and development? SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN JASSIM BIN MOHAMMED AL THANI: The private sector has been an important contributor…
