“The rise in GCC business confidence, particularly the continued pickup in Saudi Arabia, with evidence of the same emerging in the U.A.E., seems to be driving the outlook across MENA. Among the GCC countries, Saudi Arabia’s jump in confidence was the most significant, rising8.7 points to 62.2. In the United Arab Emirates, the overall YPO Global Pulse Index increased 5.4 points during this period, reaching 54.8. For the second quarter of 2016, the YPO Global Pulse Index rose 1.4 points to 59.7, its highest level in a year. The European Union saw a significant decline in confidence, slipping 3.1 points to 58.5, its lowest score in three years.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 09, 2016 03:56 UTC