The Middle East Economy

The economy of Sharjah is highly diversified by regional standards, with oil and gas contributing less than 6% to GDP, and no individual sector accounting for more than 20%. The emirate has had particular success in developing its industrial and manufacturing sector through a network of free zones and industrial zones that continues to develop and expand, and it is one of the main industrial...

Accounting for just over 3% of the territory of the UAE, Sharjah is the third-largest emirate, and has long played an important cultural and economic role in the region. Home to a number of principal commercial, educational and cultural institutions, Sharjah is also unique as an emirate in that it is adjacent to both the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, on which it owns three exclaves: Kalba, Dibba...

The guide contains listings of some of the leading hotels and resorts in Jordan, contact details for important government offices and services, as well as useful tips and information for business and leisure visitors alike.

While most business activity in Jordan is still concentrated in and around Amman, as the only sea¬port city in Jordan, Aqaba plays an important role in the country’s economy. Since the decision to turn the coastal port city and its surroundings into a special economic zone was announced in 2001, it has grown in significance as an economic base and a tourist destination. Aqaba borders both...

Macroeconomic growth hit a 25-year low in 2016 as ongoing regional volatility continued to constrain trade, exports and investment. The Syrian refugee crisis has exacerbated existing pressures on fiscal stability and social infrastructure, while public debt has been on an upward trend as the government attempts to cover the costs associated with hosting over 500,000 refugees. However, 2016 may...