The Middle East Economy

International access to Saudi equities continues to grow on the back of reforms to capital markets and the recent inclusion of dozens of stocks in an influential emerging markets index.

Mirroring a trend seen across the Gulf, two lenders in Qatar announced the country’s first bank merger in a move officials say will support economic growth and the development of the financial and private sectors. 

Newly introduced legislation regulating the activities of companies in Oman will increase transparency and oversight, while also serving to encourage more local firms to list on the country’s stock exchange.

New financing and financial security channels are likely to help export and re-exporting firms in Dubai cement recent gains and create a foundation for the emirate’s further growth as a retail transit centre.

A series of initiatives designed to promote entrepreneurship and incubate start-ups in Qatar are strengthening the country’s research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem.