Featured by OBG
Kuwait is advancing a broad reform agenda under the New Kuwait 2035 development plan, aiming to strengthen economic resilience and diversify beyond hydrocarbons. Recent governance and fiscal reforms, including the passage of a new public debt law, are expected to expand financing options and support capital market development. At the same time, investment in infrastructure, logistics, digital technology and industry is creating new opportunities for private sector participation. While the energy sector continues to anchor the economy, expanding activity in finance, ICT and trade is helping to broaden growth drivers. Parallel investment in education, health care and cultural infrastructure is also strengthening human capital and quality of life, positioning Kuwait for more diversified and sustainable long-term growth.
Despite instability associated with the global mining and hydrocarbons sectors, Colombia displays stable economic growth amidst a regional slowdown, in large part a result of economic liberalisation, free trade agreements and entry to a variety of trade blocs. After recording 6.6% growth in 2011 and 4% in 2012, Colombia saw a slowdown in the first half of 2013, but the economy regained momentum by the end of the year.
Malaysia’s natural resources and its well-educated population are some of the many credentials that keep the country in good stead, with priorities centred on preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 and steering the policy framework toward more inclusive political representation. The economy is built around global trade, and the government is working to encourage greater private investment.
Home to an estimated 15.9% of the world’s proven oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is the single largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa. According to the Ministry of Finance, real GDP grew by 3.8% to $746bn in 2013. While oil income is expected to continue to account for the majority of government revenues for the foreseeable future, the non-oil sector has expanded significantly in recent decades growing 9.3% in 2013.
The only monarchy in North Africa, Morocco has one of the more diversified GDP mixes in the region, and the mainstays of the economy include agriculture, tourism, and the textiles industry; higher-end manufacturing, IT and communications, and outsourcing are also all becoming increasingly important. The past few years have seen some significant changes, yet the kingdom has remained stable, even amidst the broader regional turmoil.
The second-largest economy in Latin America, Mexico seems poised to enter a new growth phase as the government of Enrique Peña Nieto implements radical changes in a number of sectors across the economy. The reforms, aimed at raising the competitiveness of the Mexican economy, have the potential to establish Mexico’s position as a regional powerhouse.
