Investment outlook for the MENA region
Faisal Hasan, Senior VP of Investment Research Department at KAMCO talks about the investment outlook for the MENA region.
Faisal Hasan, Senior VP of Investment Research Department at KAMCO talks about the investment outlook for the MENA region.
He says, “The MENA region has a huge population, roughly the size of the US. Also, investors can reap the benefit of demographic dividends. While Europe and other areas have an aging population, MENA has a young population. The potential economic growth and productivity of the next 20 years or so is immense. The MENA region is growing at about 4 to 5%, in a world where 2% growth is considered very good. MENA’s growth rate will continue to be good. GDP growth and economic opportunities in the MENA region will continue to outperform global averages.”
“Within the GCC region, there are great opportunities within different sectors. There are also different pockets of growth, ranging from the real estate sector to the petrochemical industry. Oil is a great benefit to the region. Inflation in the region is very benign. Inflation in Kuwait has been about 3 to 4%. It’s the same for the GCC. The inflation situation is good, economic growth has been good. Overall the economic scenario has been positive. The region, specially the GCC, has a major surplus on hand, which can be utilised to continue economic growth,” he adds.