The Middle East Economy

With public expenditure rising and a general improvement in international economic conditions in recent years, growth estimates across the region for the six GCC member states are expected to be in the 4-5% range, with the non-oil-and-gas economy also taking the lead, once again outstripping hydrocarbons in terms of the rate of expansion.

Saudi Arabia is a socially conservative country and interaction between unrelated men and women is prohibited. Businessmen should wait for a woman to offer her hand to shake in a meeting. In all other situations, keep a respectful distance. Handshakes between men are common. Saudis pride themselves on their hospitality and it is impolite to begin business without engaging in...

View contact details and general information for some of the leading hotels and resorts in Jeddah...

The reasons for the low insurance take-up seen across the MENA region are well documented: a low level of consumer awareness, cultural resistance and the relatively underdeveloped financial sectors of some nations are frequently cited to explain the penetration rate of around 1%, compared to a global average estimated by PwC at 6.5% in 2012....

While the concept of insurance sold through banks dates back to the 19th century, the present model of bancassurance – which has expanded beyond consumer credit, currency theft and home insurance to include such products as savings insurance and annuity investment contracts – was developed in advanced insurance markets in the 1980s. It was...

The mixed results of the local insurance industry in 2013, which saw 18 of the 33 licensed companies post a net loss, has led to much speculation regarding the future of the sector. The last two years have seen increasing price competition as Saudi Arabia’s insurers have jostled for market share – which in some cases has led them down a path...