Featured by OBG
Oman is actively diversifying its economy as part of its Oman Vision 2040 strategy, reducing its reliance on hydrocarbons by expanding sectors like agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and banking. The government’s focus on sustainable development is driving growth, particularly through strategic reforms, infrastructure projects and investment in renewable energy. Efforts to improve financial services, including banking, insurance and capital markets, have contributed to economic stability and attracted foreign investment. Oman’s advantageous geographic location enhances its role in regional trade, with a growing focus on ICT and digital transformation, positioning the country as a leader in innovation. The government has also invested heavily in education and health care, improving literacy rates and life expectancy while adopting modern technologies. The tourism sector is another key area of growth, with the government promoting sustainable practices and supporting local economies through community-based projects. Overall, Oman’s transformation is enhancing its competitiveness and positioning it for long-term economic growth.
Although the sultanate’s petroleum wealth has traditionally provided a backbone for growth, efforts are well under way to diversify away from hydrocarbons. Oman Vision 2020 has laid out plans to boost industrialisation within the sultanate and to encourage the private sector to take a more active role in the economy and in the provision of jobs, both of which are billed as key drivers for growth.
Though Peru’s economic growth registered a slowdown in 2014 - to an estimated 3.1% according to the central bank compared to rates of between 5% and 9% for much of the past decade - the mining-led economy is expected to regain momentum in 2015 as diversification efforts continue and government measures to stimulate investment take effect.
In many ways, Algeria finds itself in an enviable economic position, particularly when compared with its regional neighbours. It holds the fourth-largest oil reserves and the second-largest natural gas reserves in Africa. Ample hydrocarbons revenue has allowed the government to channel capital into public expenditure programmes on infrastructure, health care, education, social housing and subsidies.
In April 2014 South Africans celebrated the 20th anniversary of both the end of apartheid and the creation of the modern Republic of South Africa. These two events highlight just how far South Africa has come in the past two decades, during which the nation’s numerous assets have contributed to its rise as one of Africa’s leading economic and diplomatic players.
For millennia Egypt has been one of the most strategically important places on earth, and often one of its most culturally influential. Despite significant structural issues and the political instability of the past few years, it remains a country of great regional and global importance.
