Gulf weekly: Coronavirus spreads in the Gulf, hardliners win in Iran, Lebanon downgraded

GULF COUNTRIES - Report 28 Feb 2020 by Rory Fyfe and Justin Alexander

The weekly is a skimmable summary of key developments by country, overlaid with our analysis, links to further information and the outlook. Headlines include:

* Coronavirus is out of control in Iran and has spread to four Gulf states so far.
* Many flights have been cancelled, and Saudi is suspending pilgrimages.
* Oil has fallen to nearly a three-year low, and OPEC action is expected next week.
* Saudi appointed an investment minister to try and boost weak FDI.
* Aramco’s Jafurah shale gas project, the largest outside the US, was approved.
* The UAE central bank estimated non-oil growth picked up in Q4 (we’re sceptical).
* Sultan Haitham’s first speech made hopeful signals about fiscal reform.
* Hardliners won big in Iran’s election because of low turnout.
* Moody’s & S&P downgraded Lebanon, and Hezbollah spurned the IMF.
* Tunisia’s parliament approved a new government but Iraq’s failed to do so.

Now read on...

Register to sample a report

Register
Sign-in
Forgot your password?
Copyright 2024 GlobalSource Partners. All rights reserved. This report is prepared for GlobalSource Partners’ clients and may not be redistributed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, retransmitted or disclosed, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of GlobalSource Partners. This report is distributed simultaneously to our website and other portals used by GlobalSource Partners. The information herein was obtained from various sources and is believed to be reliable but GlobalSource Partners does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Neither GlobalSource Partners nor any Country Analyst, officer or employee accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential damages or losses rising from any use of this report or its contents.