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Côte d’Ivoire is one of Africa’s most rapidly expanding economies, with significant oil, gas and mineral reserves; a major agriculture sector; and a growing, youthful population driving the country forward. Spread across a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to dry savannah, the former French colony is a mosaic of ethnicities, languages and religions. The presidential elections in October 2020 will be a key test of how far this diverse country has come towards peace and reconciliation since the political instability from 2010 to 2011. Meanwhile, economic inclusion continues to be a priority. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the country’s growth trajectory was expected to continue, but due to the fallout from the lockdowns and other social-distancing measures this figure is expected to slow significantly. This chapter contains a viewpoint with President Alassane Dramane Ouattara; interviews with Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General, UN Conference on Trade and Development; and Sean Cairncross, CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority approved updated corporate governance regulations for joint-stock companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in February 2017, and amended them in May 2019. The regulations set standards for best corporate practices by promoting accountability, clarity and transparency for management, board members, shareholders and stakeholders. This overview covers shareholder rights, the responsibilities of an organisation’s Board of Directors, competition law, tenders and procurement, arbitration and bankruptcy. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Zeyad Khoshaim, Managing Partner, Khoshaim & Associates.

Saudi Arabia’s income tax rules are governed by the Income Tax Law, which came into force in 2004. The Tax Law is supplemented by implementing regulations. Zakat, for its part, is governed by the implementing regulations for zakat collection. The Ministry of Finance issues resolutions concerning aspects of tax and zakat, and the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) regularly issues circulars and responses to frequently asked questions containing its interpretation or position on regulations. The GAZT generally takes a substance-over-form approach in dealing with tax matters. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Wadih AbouNasr, Head of Tax, KPMG KSA Levant Cluster.

The second half of 2019 saw some of the most exciting developments yet for Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. In a softening of regulations, the government created a new visa category for tourists as it looks to grow the industry. While the full extent of the impact of Covid-19 on Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector was difficult to gauge as of March 2020, it is clear that the pandemic is set to significantly affect tourism numbers not just in the Kingdom but around the world for the year. In the long term, however, the prospects for the sector look bright, with efforts to open up Saudi Arabia’s once little-known and undiscovered landscapes, history and culture to foreign visitors.

The outlook for the health care sector remains positive despite Saudi Arabia facing a number of challenges in terms of increasing capacity to meet rising demand and a higher incidence of non-communicable diseases, as well as the more recent threat of Covid-19. The government’s efforts to restructure the public sector through decentralisation and digitalisation initiatives are increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Meanwhile, ongoing privatisation and efforts to create a more competitive health care environment are improving care and attracting significant investment. The shift towards public-private partnerships and build-operate-transfer contracts is expected to support private sector activity in the decade to come, while the burgeoning health start-up ecosystem is set to contribute to a greater level of digitalisation. This chapter contains an interview with Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority.