South Africa lies on the southern tip of Africa, occupying 1.22m sq km with some 2800 km of coastline along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The so-called “Rainbow Nation” has a population of around 50.5m and is a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and languages that reflect its rich and tumultuous history.

Bahrain has weathered the effects of a difficult global economic period well, and its recovery has been solid, demonstrating the strength and flexibility of its economy. The government’s drive to diversify away from oil and gas dependence has been renewed, and a wealth of ambitious non-oil sector projects – from infrastructure to renewable energy technology – is now in the pipeline.

Although economic headwinds have thrown international markets off course, the Philippine economy has managed to stay on a relatively even keel. Local authorities note that while GDP growth slowed in 2011 relative to 2010 due to weak external demand and government underspending, household 

Nestled between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the northwest corner of the Gulf, Kuwait has been a leader of Arab democracy and one of the most liberal nations within the GCC since the country gained independence in 1961. Economically, the country also has a bright future, with strong public finances, a young and well-educated population and vast oil deposits.

The mineral wealth of Mongolia, a vast and isolated land, has brought the world to its doorstep. The country’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the world, and production from and investment in its two largest mines should see GDP growth continue to climb.