The Philippine economy is gradually on the rise, largely driven by its business process outsourcing, industry and construction sectors. The average pace of growth in the Philippines in the first half of the decade was 6.3%, compared to 6% in Indonesia, 5.8% in Malaysia and Vietnam, and 3.6% in Thailand. 

Hydrocarbons revenues still form the bulk of Abu Dhabi’s GDP and while falling prices are a concern, the emirate has been moving steadily towards its economic diversification targets in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The past 10 years has seen the non-oil sector expand strongly on the back of business-friendly government policies, as a result of which non-oil sector growth now outpaces that of the oil sector.

A heavyweight within the West African Economic and Monetary Union, accounting for 35% of the eight-member region’s GDP, Côte d’Ivoire’s growth is a bellwether for Francophone West Africa. An ambitious government spending programme and a range of pro-business reforms are set to boost economic activity going forward.

As the region faces up to the challenge of the recent drop in oil prices, Bahrain’s fundamentals indicate the kingdom is well positioned to weather the dip. The focus on diversification goals outlined in Economic Vision 2030 is helping establish a more competitive and sustainable economy in the kingdom. The financial sector, which represents Bahrain’s second-largest GDP contributor, has continued to recover robustly since the global economic downturn.

Over the past few years Myanmar has experienced a number of dramatic transitions that have restructured its economy, rapidly changing its unique landscape and gradually enriching the social welfare of its people. These changes have placed modern-day Myanmar back on the international investment radar and have seen the nation coined “the Last Frontier”.