The Middle East

Ongoing regional conflicts have continued to place significant pressures on Jordan’s economy in the past year. Tourist revenues have been particularly affected while the closure of key trade routes with neighbouring countries has also taken its toll. According to the IMF, however, Jordan has done well despite the effects of regional instability. This is largely due to a recovery in industry...

According to the Department of Statistics Jordan’s population, swelled largely by refugees arriving from Syria, reached 6.68m at the end of 2014, with Syrian refugees constituting 20.8% of the total. Jordan, however, continues to be a bulwark of stability in the region. This is largely down to the ongoing process of political reform which has been in motion since King Abdullah II ascended to...

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The Guide explores some of the cultural heritage on offer to visitors in RAK, as well as listings of leading hotels and resorts, and contacts for important government offices and services. It also contains useful tips and information for first-time or regular and business and leisure visitors alike.

Revenues for RAK’s tourism sector rose 44% in 2014 and the total number of overnight stays by guests grew by 72% to reach 2.14m.The tourism sector is estimated to support 307,000 jobs across the UAE, or 5.4% of total employment, which is expected to rise by 5.4% in 2015 and 2.6% per annum until 2025. Developers hope to see the area grow substantially in the next few years as the mixed...

Moves towards the development of a knowledge-based economy have begun in RAK as the emirate implements education reforms and student enrichment initiatives get under way. The Ministry of Education’s mid-range policy for the 2015-21 period targets knowledge integration in industries related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Meanwhile, with the federal goal of meeting 15% of...