The Middle East

Major changes are under way in the Turkish health care system in both the private and public sectors. While higher rates of hospital accreditation and a focus on attracting foreign customers is increasing the quality of care in the private sector, more Turkish citizens and permanent residents will be enrolled in the state system, following the institution of a universal health insurance policy.

In mid-January 2012, Dubai unveiled the details of a massive solar energy facility it plans to build in the desert, part of a larger scheme to meet the energy needs of the emirate and reduce its reliance on imported natural gas to fire its power stations.

By encouraging banks to step up lending to private firms at favourable terms, Jordan hopes to be able to assist managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) obtain financing for growth. With the threat of recession looming in Europe and a general slowing of the global economy, however, banks may be hesitant to loosen the purse strings.

As part of a long-term strategy to diversify the economy by capitalising on the emirate’s natural beauty, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is moving forward with ambitious plans to rebrand itself as a tourism destination. By 2021, RAK expects around 20% of its GDP will be generated by tourism-related activities.

For Qatar’s real estate sector, 2012 is expected to be much the same as the preceding 12 months, with most forecasts projecting a year of steady progress, though there are concerns that oversupply in some segments could keep prices down in the short term as the flow of new developments more than matches current demand.

Demand for energy is growing, suggesting the economy is gaining momentum and prompting the Kingdom to boost local production while putting in place plans to secure imported supplies to meet any shortfall. Analysts forecast the Bahraini economy will pick up in 2012 and beyond, with ratings agency Standard & Poor’s predicting in January that GDP will expand by 3.5% this year.