• Covid-19
  • Agrofood
  • Business & Economy
  • Construction
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • IFP Events
  • IFP Insider
    • Event News
    • Interviews
  • العربية
IFP Info - News
  • Covid-19
  • Agrofood
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Environment
    • Food
    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Azerbaijan, Iraq discuss prospects of relations

    Azerbaijan, Iraq discuss prospects of relations

    Oman inks pack to bolster role of SMEs in food systems

    Oman inks pack to bolster role of SMEs in food systems

    MAFWR, Port of Duqm sign MoU

    MAFWR, Port of Duqm sign MoU

    Trending Tags

    • Business & Economy
      • All
      • Business
      • Communication
      • Digital
      • Economy
      • Finance
      • Trade
      • Transport & Logistics
      Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

      Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

      Turkey eyes $5bn bilateral trade with Qatar

      Turkey eyes $5bn bilateral trade with Qatar

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Deal signed to set-up first factory in Qatar to assemble electric vehicles

      Deal signed to set-up first factory in Qatar to assemble electric vehicles

      Railway line to be built between Mosul, Turkey: governor of Nineveh

      Railway line to be built between Mosul, Turkey: governor of Nineveh

      Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

      Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

      Trending Tags

      • CES 2017
      • Election Results
      • eSports
    • Construction
      • All
      • Infrastructure
      • Real Estate
      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Egypt implements 164 service and development projects at LE4.8 billion in North Sinai

      Egypt implements 164 service and development projects at LE4.8 billion in North Sinai

      Miral’s premier Abu Dhabi waterfront project work on track

      Miral’s premier Abu Dhabi waterfront project work on track

      Aecom wins Neom utilities infrastructure design contract

      Aecom wins Neom utilities infrastructure design contract

      Trending Tags

      • Energy
        • All
        • Oil & Gas
        • Power & Electricity
        • Renewable Energy
        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        Tadweer opens phase 2 of solar power plant at Al Dhafra

        Tadweer opens phase 2 of solar power plant at Al Dhafra

        France to help Iraq generate electricity, will invest in education, science: Macron

        France to help Iraq generate electricity, will invest in education, science: Macron

        Acwa Power inks finance deals for 900MW Dubai solar park

        Acwa Power inks finance deals for 900MW Dubai solar park

        Trending Tags

        • Healthcare
          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

        • Hospitality
          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

        • IFP Events
          Interior & Design

          Interior & Design

          Food Africa

          Food Africa

          Project Qatar

          Project Qatar

          Project Lebanon

          Project Lebanon

        • IFP Insider
          • Event News
          • Interviews
        • العربية
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Covid-19
        • Agrofood
          • All
          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food
          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Azerbaijan, Iraq discuss prospects of relations

          Azerbaijan, Iraq discuss prospects of relations

          Oman inks pack to bolster role of SMEs in food systems

          Oman inks pack to bolster role of SMEs in food systems

          MAFWR, Port of Duqm sign MoU

          MAFWR, Port of Duqm sign MoU

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Communication
            • Digital
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics
            Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

            Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

            Turkey eyes $5bn bilateral trade with Qatar

            Turkey eyes $5bn bilateral trade with Qatar

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Deal signed to set-up first factory in Qatar to assemble electric vehicles

            Deal signed to set-up first factory in Qatar to assemble electric vehicles

            Railway line to be built between Mosul, Turkey: governor of Nineveh

            Railway line to be built between Mosul, Turkey: governor of Nineveh

            Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

            Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Egypt implements 164 service and development projects at LE4.8 billion in North Sinai

            Egypt implements 164 service and development projects at LE4.8 billion in North Sinai

            Miral’s premier Abu Dhabi waterfront project work on track

            Miral’s premier Abu Dhabi waterfront project work on track

            Aecom wins Neom utilities infrastructure design contract

            Aecom wins Neom utilities infrastructure design contract

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              Tadweer opens phase 2 of solar power plant at Al Dhafra

              Tadweer opens phase 2 of solar power plant at Al Dhafra

              France to help Iraq generate electricity, will invest in education, science: Macron

              France to help Iraq generate electricity, will invest in education, science: Macron

              Acwa Power inks finance deals for 900MW Dubai solar park

              Acwa Power inks finance deals for 900MW Dubai solar park

              Trending Tags

              • Healthcare
                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

              • Hospitality
                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

              • IFP Events
                Interior & Design

                Interior & Design

                Food Africa

                Food Africa

                Project Qatar

                Project Qatar

                Project Lebanon

                Project Lebanon

              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية
              No Result
              View All Result
              IFP Info - News
              No Result
              View All Result

              Why change matters for GCC economies?

              OBG

              April 4, 2017
              in Economy
              0

              For many years those of us who study the countries that form the Gulf Cooperation Council – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain – have grown accustomed to using and hearing one term more than any other: diversification. But what has also been just as common has been the frustration at the pace of the process.

              The simple fact is that due their bountiful natural resources the GCC countries have many of the symptoms of what is known as Dutch Disease, the theory that economies which have a dominant export experience significant development in that area, but underdevelopment in others.

              The IMF, World Bank and OBG have long been advocates of economic reform that will enable an environment where other economic sectors can grow and contribute to state revenues. This is, of course, easier said than done. Every state in the region has a diversification strategy, and they have been implemented with varying degrees of success. All of these require the private sector to play a greater role, too.

              However, when hydrocarbons prices were high enough for budgets to show surpluses, it was difficult to generate much urgency to drive through the sometimes painful reforms necessary. Furthermore, the social contract that exists between state and citizen in the Gulf makes change even harder. In many cases the states’ largesse in every sense has meant that the private sector remains relatively underdeveloped.

              But now that oil prices have entered what some have referred to as the “new normal”, i.e. a much lower band, diversification and economic reform have taken on a whole new urgency.

              How is this change manifesting itself?

              1 – Subsidy Reductions
              Generous government subsidies have long been hallmarks of the Gulf. However, they have never been sustainable in the long term. They also have the capacity to create dependency, too, which is always a concern. Over the past 18 months each and every state has set about reducing the scale of subsidies, both to households in the form of utilities and food, and also those to industry.

              This has inevitably had an impact on households and industry alike, squeezing expendable income and margins in equal measure. However, at the time changes were made, for example in the UAE with fuel prices, which are now set monthly, many of the fears expressed, for example, that it would lead to significant inflationary pressure, have not materialized.

              2 – VAT
              The decision to implement a value-added tax was taken at the regional level by the GCC. It will see the imposition of a 5% levy on most goods, consumables and services. It is the first time such as tax has been introduced in the GCC and is a significant development.

              Certain items will likely be exempt from the tax – basic food and health supplies, for example. Businesses that sell VAT-liable products or services add on the percentage and then, as a VAT-registered businesses, file a VAT return to the relevant authority.

              But what does this mean in practice? Well, as well as being a boon for the financial services and IT systems companies who will be well placed to advise on the implementation of VAT systems and reporting structures, the real beneficiary in the long term will be the governments’ coffers. Raising revenue via VAT is in many senses is a reflection of a maturing economy. It can be varied as a fiscal tool, too, so that in good times it can be raised and in periods of financial stress, lowered as a stimulus.

              A more subtle benefit that VAT brings, though, is another layer of transparency, as VAT registration and filing will enable greater scrutiny and analysis of how the markets work. In a region that has seen major steps forward in this regard, this is another welcome development.

              3 – Public vs Private
              One of the most frustrated elements of the GCC’s economic reform strategies has been the development of autonomous private sector growth. Now, as the governments of the region look to accelerate reform, the private sector is being looked to with renewed enthusiasm. The trouble is that in some places they have felt the squeeze to such a degree from austerity measures and the dramatic reduction in government spending, that sentiment is at low ebb and they are struggling to find growth opportunities.

              This is, of course, perhaps an inevitable side effect of the necessary changes being made – the subsidy reductions, for example. Either way it looks as though it will be some time before the impact has worked itself through. A businessman I spoke with in Saudi Arabia recently spoke plainly that if the government cuts too hard as the dominant engine of growth, the private sector, in many senses a fledgling in comparison, could find itself without the momentum to succeed.

              On the other hand, another businessman said that while current conditions were definitely difficult, they also form an environment where entrepreneurship will flare sooner or later, quite simply out of necessity. There’s no doubt truth in both.

              There is really no easy, straightforward path to the economic reforms the GCC countries require. However, the signs are positive in that these changes, which have been talked about for years, are finally happening. To be sure, they’re not comfortable, but we must take notice that the governments over the past 18 months have taken measures that even in the preceding year were unthinkable.

              Change is always difficult but economic reform taking place in the Gulf shows it is more likely to happen when necessary than suggested.
              OBG
              4 April

              Previous Post

              Indian investments in Egypt are estimated at $3 billion

              Next Post

              Qatar: $380 million FIFA-related opportunities for SMEs

              Next Post

              Qatar: $380 million FIFA-related opportunities for SMEs

              News Letter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              Recent News

              Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

              Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

              September 28, 2020
              Qatar 2022 to offer cruise ships for fan accommodation

              Qatar 2022 to offer cruise ships for fan accommodation

              September 28, 2020
              Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

              Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

              September 28, 2020
              IFP Info – News

              The latest Middle East Business News & Events brought to you on a daily basis from multiple credible news portals around the world

              Follow Us

              Categories

              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Covid-19 Updates
              • Energy
              • Event News
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • Interviews

              Countries

              • Bahrain
              • Egypt
              • Iran
              • Iraq
              • Jordan
              • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
              • Kuwait
              • Lebanon
              • Oman
              • Other Africa
              • Other GCC
              • Other Middle East
              • Qatar
              • Syria
              • United Arab Emirates
              • Worldwide

              Newsletter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Covid-19
              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Energy
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • IFP Events
              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com