The Middle East

With the assets of the world’s growing number of Islamic banks now standing at around $1.8 trillion, Qatar’s sharia-compliant lenders have rapidly become key players in a major global industry.

While lower prices may limit new investments in Oman’s upstream energy sector, Iran’s return to international markets is likely to have a mixed effect on the sultanate’s economy. 

An increased emphasis on e-learning in Saudi Arabia’s education system, coupled with targets to modernise teaching methods, underpin a wider drive to diversify the economy away from oil and create more jobs. 

With a 4G licence recently awarded in Jordan and mobile operators rapidly rolling out new networks and services, increased competition is likely to boost connection and download speeds for consumers over the coming years. 

Ground is set to be broken in late summer on a $10bn pipeline that will carry Azeri natural gas to Turkey and on to Europe, as energy security remains a key issue in the region. 

With the state planning to develop new rail links and upgrade its roads, seaports and airports, construction is set to surge in Kuwait over the coming years.