MANAMA: Economies in the Middle East are forecast to shrink by 7.6 per cent this year, according to a new report.
The Economic Outlook report from Oxford Economics, commissioned by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) forecasts a 7.6pc contraction in GDP this year for the Middle East, almost double the 3.9pc contraction which they predicted in April.
However, growth is expected to return to 4pc in 2021 and 2022 as lockdowns are fully eased, global travel picks up and Brent oil prices move closer to $50 per barrel.
ICAEW held a webinar to accompany the release of the report and share its insights on the global and regional economic outlook.
In focus were the most exposed industrial sectors facing a long-term recovery – particularly the oil sector and travel and tourism industry.
The session was led by Scott Livermore, ICAEW economic advisor and chief economist at Oxford Economics.
He explained that during the first half of this year the global economy shrank at a pace unprecedented since World War II, as national governments implemented social distancing measures to battle the spread of Covid-19.
While stringent lockdowns implemented in the second quarter of the year (Q2) appear to have been successful in limiting the spread of the virus in most countries, they have put a significant strain on economic activity.
The outlook for the non-oil economy in GCC countries remains challenging.
It is likely that travel restrictions will be a fact of life for some time, weighing on global tourist activity, an important pillar of the non-oil economy.
Oxford Economics’ forecast assumes that globally, international visitor arrivals will decline 55pc in 2020 and will not recover to pre-crisis volumes until 2023.
While economic factors will play a role in the global recovery, how quickly travel restrictions are lifted and the speed at which people are prepared to resume foreign travel, will be more important.
The region’s dependence on expat workers in vulnerable sectors means the burden of job losses will mainly fall on the expat population.
With expat visas depending on employment and the lack of a social safety net, an expat exodus is likely as travel restrictions are eased.
This could result in the population declining by between 4pc in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and around 10pc in the UAE and Qatar.
Michael Armstrong, ICAEW Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), said, “What makes this global recession extraordinary is both its severity as well as the speed at which it took place.
“The issues we face are global in nature and require an international, collective solution. To rebuild the economy, Middle East governments must remain resilient and think long-term to make better-informed decisions.”
Exports levels in oil-producing countries are experiencing severe damage, as they grapple with the huge collapse in oil prices which took place during March and April.
The report forecasts that across the GCC, total exports will decline by between 6pc to 12pc in 2020.
However, for oil importers, the outlook is slightly more encouraging due to the benefits from lower oil prices, even as crucial sectors such as trade and tourism take a hit and remittances come under pressure.
Global GDP contracted by around 9pc in the first half of 2020, the report found, and despite a strong rebound of 6.4pc in Q3, global growth will contract by 4.4pc in total in 2020.
However, strong momentum from the second half of the year will drive growth to 5.8pc in 2021.
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