Since 1953, when oil was first discovered near Port-Gentil, Gabon’s economy has been dominated by the petroleum industry. According to the BP “Statistical Review of World Energy 2012”, Gabon is the sixth-largest crude oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and has the region’s fourth-largest proven reserves.

The Arab world’s second largest-economy, with the GDP of $229bn in 2011 according to the World Bank, has faced exceptional economic circumstances since the start of its political transformation 18 months ago. Despite a slowdown from the roughly 7% annual growth rate posted for the seven years prior to, Egypt showed a relatively robust 4.7% GDP expansion for the 2008/09 financial year.

Located on Africa’s western coast, Ghana is home to 24m people and a variety of ethnic groups. The country is divided into 10 administrative regions and has a strong executive branch, a unicameral legislature made up of 230 members, and an independent judiciary.

Located in the heart of South-east Asia, Thailand combines an ancient Buddhist culture with an emerging industrial economy. It is the only South-east Asian country never to have been colonised, and the monarchy dates back to the 14th century. 

With some of the fastest-growing free trade zones in the region, Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed impressive economic expansion and diversification across key industries in recent years, and is on its way to becoming an important investment destination in the Gulf