Research Briefing | May 27, 2021

MENA | GCC inflation; Saudi privatisation; Iranian nuclear deal

MENA | GCC inflation; Saudi privatisation; Iranian nuclear deal

Saudi Arabia’s inflation rose to 5.3% y/y in April from 4.9% y/y in March, but we expect the rate to ease in H2 as the base effects from last year’s VAT hike fades. Meanwhile, both Qatar and Oman registered positive inflation rates following a sustained period of deflation.

What you will learn:

  • Saudi Arabia aims to raise US$55bn by 2025 under the Vision 2030 privatisation programme in an effort to boost government revenues and narrow the fiscal deficit, estimated at 1.5% of GDP this year after 11.2% in 2020.
  • A one-month extension of the key monitoring pact between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran has been extended by a month, providing additional time for Iran and the US to reach an agreement that could see Iran return to the JCPOA in exchange for sanction relief.
  • Saudi Arabia’s inflation rose to 5.3% y/y in April from 4.9% the previous month, the lowest the lowest since the tripling of VAT to 15% in July last year. 

Tags:

Back to Resource Hub

Related Services

Global: Why the real yield on private wealth will keep falling

Post

Why the real yield on private wealth will keep falling globally

Despite the importance of returns on private wealth for long-term investors – be they households, asset managers, or pension funds – the fact that real yields have been on a downward trend across the world for decades seems to have escaped attention.

Find Out More
Liede Bridge urban landscape Growth outlook determines the fate of fiscal consolidation

Post

Growth outlook determines the fate of fiscal consolidation in APAC

We expect fiscal consolidation to generally continue in Asia, except in mainland China and Taiwan. In those economies, we anticipate looser fiscal policy this year and very slow normalisation next year.

Find Out More