Middle East: Arab banks lay regional plans

Arab banks used to be content to stick to their lucrative national markets. But with oil prices low, times are getting harder in the Middle East and banks are positioning themselves to go regional. Darren Stubing reports.

Bahrain: diversifying away from oil

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: closed-economy cousins

Oil lows hit UAE, Oman and Qatar

Results for the top 20 Arab banks in 1998 were mixed and clearly reflect both regional and general emerging-market difficulties. The operating environment throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – was difficult on account of the weak oil price. Despite the recent price increase providing some respite, growth will remain subdued this year in most Middle East countries although slightly more robust in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

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