GCC States Record 7.3% GDP Growth in 2022

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
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GCC States Record 7.3% GDP Growth in 2022

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasized that despite economic disruptions, policymakers in GCC countries have successfully alleviated the economic consequences of these challenges, SPA said on Sunday.
The GCC nations experienced substantial growth in their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reaching 7.3% in 2022.
Albudaiwi’s remarks came while attending the Arab Governors' meeting with the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on Saturday in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.
During his speech, the GCC Secretary-General emphasized that economic challenges present a risk to the mutual objective of a poverty-free world characterized by sustainable development and widespread prosperity.
He pointed out that the global economy is currently traversing a precarious course, with the World Bank forecasting a substantial deceleration in global economic growth in the years ahead.
Albudaiwi also underscored that tackling global challenges demands a dedication to shared values and objectives, recognizing that the interdependence of nations necessitates collaborative efforts and synergy.
Furthermore, he emphasized that global economic challenges call for sustainable solutions to alleviate their impact.
This, he said, can be achieved through collective actions and measures taken by the international community, in cooperation with global financial institutions, as well as through bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries and international organizations.
These efforts are essential to secure a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable global future, he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Albudaiwi praised the advancements resulting from the structural reforms implemented by GCC countries in response to economic challenges.
These reforms have yielded favorable outcomes, including economic growth, an improved business environment, increased competitiveness, and a substantial rise in women's workforce participation.
Furthermore, the non-oil sector experienced a notable increase of 4.8% in 2022.



IMF Forecasts Bahrain’s Economy to Grow by 3% in 2024

Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters file photo
Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters file photo
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IMF Forecasts Bahrain’s Economy to Grow by 3% in 2024

Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters file photo
Bahrain's capital Manama. Reuters file photo

Bahrain’s economy is on track for growth, with gross domestic product expected to expand by 3 percent this year and 3.5 percent in 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

Following its 2024 Article IV consultation, the IMF said Bahrain’s showed strong economic performance in 2023, achieving a 3 percent growth rate.

It projected that inflation, which fell to a low of 0.1 percent in 2023, will rise to 1.2 percent this year and gradually stabilize at 2 percent over the medium term.

According to the IMF, government debt surged to 123 percent of GDP, a 12 percentage point increase.

“To put government debt to GDP onto a durable downward path, a multi-year and pre-committed fiscal consolidation and reform package is the policy priority,” said John Bluedorn, the IMF mission chief.

Bahrain’s economic diversification efforts are another key focus. The IMF acknowledged the progress made but urged further reforms to boost inclusive, sustainable growth. These include expanding programs to enhance human capital, addressing skill gaps, and improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises.