The Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region will face economic headwinds in 2019, particularly as external conditions turn less supportive. GCC Fiscal Gains Set To ModerateGCC - Fiscal Balance, % GDPf = Fitch Solutions forecast. Growth Holding Up, But Still Firmly Below Historical StandardsMENA (ex Libya, Syria, Yemen) - Real GDP Growth, %e/f = Fitch Solutions estimate/forecast. In addition, global growth will likely soften - after seemingly having peaked in 2018 - while financial market volatility continues to rise. It also depends on Saudi support for regional security initiatives and counterterrorism operations, and values the kingdom’s status as a massive purchaser of US arms.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 07, 2018 15:56 UTC