The seven biggest telecoms service providers in the GCC – STC (Saudi Arabia), Etisalat (UAE), du (UAE), Qtel (UAE), Batelco (Bahrain), Zain (Kuwait) and Omantel (Oman) reported mixed financial results for the second quarter of 2011. One of the key financial indicators for telecoms operators is net profit. Figures published by the operators show du,… [Read more]
Following weeks of anti-government protests, Bahrain’s rulers have invited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to deploy 1,000 and 500 troops respectively to help stabilise the tiny Kingdom and protect its key infrastructure. Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, but its population is 65-75% Shi’a. The Shi’a want major changes to the Kingdom’s… [Read more]
As the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) experiences its biggest shake-up in at least a generation, Business Monitor International (BMI) has just published a special report, MENA Crisis: The Key Risk To Global Recovery And Stability. The report analyses the following topics: The long-term consequences of upheaval for the Middle East and North Africa… [Read more]
Business Monitor International (BMI)’s Head of Middle East and North Africa Analysis, Jean-Paul Pigat, has just returned from a trip to the region, where he met top-level policymakers and investors. Earlier today, he spoke to the BBC’s World Business Report and discussed the implications of the crisis on investment into the region. Meanwhile, BMI will… [Read more]
With Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qadhafi’s position looking increasingly untenable, and Bahrain rocked by unrest, so soon after popular protests toppled the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been shaken like never before. Crucially, the uprisings have also overthrown the conventional wisdom. Until recently, it was generally assumed… [Read more]
Bahrain is the only Gulf Arab state to have witnessed large-scale public unrest since popular uprisings toppled the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents in recent weeks. As of Friday, 18 February, the Kingdom was bracing for more protests following the security forces’ dispersal of demonstrators in the capital Manama’s Pearl Square the previous day. The Bahraini… [Read more]
Having surpassed the US$1trn mark, we take a look at Islamic banking and its outlook over the next couple of years. Liz Martins, Head of Middle East and North Africa analysis at Business Monitor International, discusses some opportunities and threats of an industry that is expected to double in size over the coming five years.
