The Middle East

As one of the most diversified emirates in the UAE, Sharjah is less reliant on hydrocarbons than many of its neighbours, and has a strong foundation in industry and manufacturing. Indeed, hydrocarbons account for around 4% of GDP, and no individual sector contributes more than 25% of the total. Given that it has shores on both the Gulf and the...

While higher education institutions have been effective in developing short-term solutions to some of the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, they can also play a key role in realising long-term governmental development strategies that can boost the prospects of a sustainable recovery. This is a particularly pressing issue for countries in the Gulf, many of which...

Facing the twin challenges of a sharp reduction in trade and a steep drop in the price of oil as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries in the Middle East weathered a particularly difficult 2020. While circumstances have been challenging, the region has looked to digital innovation as a path to recovery, and a number of governments have accelerated their existing plans...

The economy is a key driver of societal and cultural development. Therefore, the most important considerations when analysing the robustness of an economy must include the following questions: how could the economy help realise the ambitions of all segments of society? how could the economy champion the interests of all community members? how could peoples’ efforts become a...