Joel Whitaker, our senior vice president of Global Research, sits down with CNBC’s Bernard Lo to discuss the new rules that would open up Saudi Arabia’s stock market to direct foreign investment.
Oil Price Crash, Currency Depreciations: EMEA Markets MNCs Should Watch Closely
The current fall in oil prices was one of the disruptors to EMEA performance we anticipated in May this year. As Brent prices fall below US$60/bbl, we have revised our forecast for 2015 average prices to US$65/bbl. Combined with expectations for a rate…
MNC Insight: Five things I learned during my 10-day visit to Dubai
I met with more than a dozen Dubai-based senior executives from multinational companies across several sectors. Five important issues emerged during our conversations: 1. Improving performance in Africa is the focus of MEA strategic planning During my visit to Dubai, 70%…
The GCC’s long-term economic interests should encourage resolution of political crisis
Intraregional competition among GCC countries is normal and it has benefited foreign companies due to its encouragement of infrastructure upgrades in finance, ports, and tourism. However, the decision by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to withdraw ambassadors from Qatar…
Five Political Events that will Impact your MENA Business in 2014
My last post focused on an overlooked topic in the MENA region: business opportunity. This post covers a more popular regional theme: political risk. MNCs must prepare for how the following political events could impact their MENA business performance in…
Uncovering Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa
Despite news headlines highlighting political instability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, business continues as usual. FSG estimates that only 14% of the region’s GDP, which is expected to surpass US$ 4 trillion by 2017, comes from…
Royal Succession Planning at Saudi, Inc.
Qatar’s royal succession puts Saudi Arabia’s unresolved leadership question back into the spotlight. While it is unlikely the next king will alter Saudi Arabia’s path, it is important for companies to be prepared given the prominence of the market in…