The Middle East

As Kuwait moves forward on health care reforms aimed at expanding service provision for its rapidly growing population, the private sector is set to play a more prominent role in the industry. While free health care is guaranteed to all Kuwaiti citizens, population growth has put considerable strain on state-owned facilities. The government has recently announced a number of new projects slated to be constructed across the country, with public-private partnerships (PPPs) expected to bolster service quality and provision for Kuwait’s 3.25m residents.

Supporting the development of Oman’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is regarded as a key method for boosting private sector employment levels and direct Omani involvement in the economy. With these goals in mind, government policy is being implemented to provide SMEs with additional funding and expertise, as well as to grant them wider access to government tenders.

Two landmark deals sealed in March have paved the way for Jordan’s power authority to begin buying solar electricity from the private sector, supporting the kingdom’s long-running efforts to boost renewable energy production.

As it looks to have its 18-year-old Customs union with Europe rewritten in mid-2014, Turkey says it is at a disadvantage under some terms of the agreement, in particular through trade pacts between the EU and third parties.

As the 2013/14 fiscal year drew to a close, the IMF expressed its optimistic outlook for Qatar for the upcoming year, following a recent visit. That report – combined with a cheery business sentiment survey from the private sector and a jump in 2013 profits for Qatar Exchange-listed firms – reflects refreshed momentum for the Gulf nation, despite ongoing global economic uncertainty and regional tensions, both in the Middle East and Europe.

The growth witnessed across Kuwait’s retail sector in recent years looks set to continue, as additional outlets open their doors in newly available retail spaces. High-end malls carrying luxury brands, in particular, are proving popular with Kuwaitis, who rank among the GCC’s most affluent consumers.