As home to the world’s most important Islamic sites – including the Masjid Al Haram, or Grand Mosque, which houses the Kaaba – the holy cities of Makkah and Medina are at the centre of religious life for the world’s 1.2bn-strong Muslim population. Located near Jeddah, in western Saudi Arabia, each year the two cities attract millions of religious visitors performing the annual pilgrimages of...
The Middle East Economy
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Chapter | Makkah & Medina from The Report: Saudi Arabia 2016
2016 witnessed the launch of the Kingdom’s historic Vision 2030 and the accompanying National Transformation Programme, both of which call for a major overhaul of the state’s economic apparatus and envision a more open market framework and more dynamic, private sector-led growth moving ahead.
Oman is taking a number of steps to attract investors to the sultanate in a bid to diversify its economy away from a reliance on hydrocarbons.
Articles & Analysis | Dubai seeking to meet needs of GCC youth population from The Report: Dubai 2016
One of the most important issues currently facing the Middle East is the changing composition of its demographic structure. A massive cohort of young people – known as a youth bulge – is challenging policymakers, with youth policy affecting security, education, the labour market and welfare programmes, among other areas. Given the relative...
Articles & Analysis | Dubai Plan 2021 begins new era of planning from The Report: Dubai 2016
One of the key pillars of Dubai’s developmental blueprint, Dubai Plan 2021, is the creation of a forward-looking, proactive government that is in touch with the desires of the people, with whom its dealings are characterised by transparency and fairness. The largest revamp in the federal government’s history, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin...
Interviews & Viewpoints | David Cameron, Former UK Prime Minister, on the importance of the UK and the Gulf for each other: Viewpoint from The Report: Dubai 2016
The UAE is one of the UK’s most important international partners, and we are proud of our friendship. Like the UK, the UAE has a rich cultural heritage, and we are delighted that its leaders are setting the UAE on an impressive course of innovation and openness.