All Countries and All Sectors

While Kuwait has to date played a relatively small role in the fast-growing global market for sukuks, or Islamic bonds, this could change, should lawmakers develop and implement a more robust legal framework to regulate the issuance of sharia-compliant debt.

Oman’s insurance industry is about to experience a major shift in direction, with sharia-compliant products, such as takaful, set to be launched onto the market. This is part of a broader programme of reforms that are opening up the financial sector to Islamic insurers and banks.

The face of Abu Dhabi’s oil industry could be set for a major makeover, with long established international operators facing increased competition for existing concessions and new contracts due to be agreed in coming years. In particular, energy-hungry Asian states are queuing up to gain access to the emirate’s oil fields.

A series of ongoing development programmes in information and communications technology (ICT) have resulted in rapidly improving technology indicators across the board in Qatar. With guidance from the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, known as ictQATAR, the government’s industry regulator, the sector is primed to see future growth under a new national broadband network and development strategy.

As Mongolia marks 85 years since its building sector was formally established, intensive demand for private and public construction is creating jobs and furthering the need in the residential segment, while domestic involvement in foreign-led mining projects is adding to the overall demand in the sector.

Reforms in Ghana’s tourism sector have given new powers and responsibilities to the newly-formed Ghana Tourism Authority, which will now play a direct role in channelling investment and launching new initiatives, with a particular focus on regional development and sustainable, community-based tourism.