Featured by OBG
Bahrain has seen its economy expand through diversification efforts, with a focus on finance, industry and technology. Projects in infrastructure, digital transformation and tourism aim to drive growth and attract foreign investment. The kingdom is committed to sustainability, targeting a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. The financial sector is a key contributor with innovation in financial technology, and the insurance market is expected to benefit from the rollout of a mandatory health insurance scheme in early 2025. The government is also investing in renewable energy, aiming for 5% of energy to be sourced by renewables by 2025. Bahrain is also enhancing its transport sector with a $30bn expansion plan. With additional developments in the industrial sector, ICT, and education Bahrain continues to evolve as an attractive investment destination.
At a time when a number of major Latin American economies, including Brazil and Venezuela, are heading toward recession, Mexico’s economy stands out in the region for its resilience. The country is expected to maintain a solid economic performance in 2015 and beyond, with the IMF estimating GDP growth of 3% and 3.3% in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
While hyrdrocarbons revenues still form the bulk of government income in Kuwait, the country is pushing ahead with its economic diversification goals. Despite the recent fall in oil prices, the government remains committed to an ambitious project pipeline, with a series of mega-projects set to boost economic activity across a range of sectors.
The accession of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in January 2015 was the start of a new chapter for the Kingdom, and with the fall in global oil prices and continued regional turbulence there are undoubtedly challenges to be met. However, domestic stability, combined with the government’s commitment to major development projects and sustained focus on economic diversification, indicate a positive overall outlook for the country moving forward.
Benefitting from strong ties to both Europe and the Arab world, Morocco has the right ingredients for future growth: low inflation, political stability, an industrial base and a favourable climate. With the outlook improving for Morocco’s trade partners and the lower price of oil – of which the country is a net importer – most observers expect growth to be even stronger in 2015, with estimates ranging from 4.4% to 5.0%.
Following successful completion of the Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas project, the country is experiencing a surge of optimism about foreign investment and overall economic growth. PNG remains favoured by its traditional investors such as Australia, but it is increasingly a target for new players, including China and Japan.
