 
FDI into the GCC is down by 15 per cent
Declined by 15 per cent to $50.8 billion in 2009, from a high of $60.1 billion in 2008 – ending nine consecutive years of aggregate GCC FDI growth. While Kuwait was the only GCC country apart from Qatar to witness FDI growth in 2009, it continued to lag significantly behind the rest of the GCC countries in attracting foreign investment, according to NBK’s latest GCC Brief. |
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Soaring cost of living crushing students
NatWest unveils its seventh Student Living Index - an annual study of how cost-effective the UK’s major university cities and towns are for students, based on spending habits, and how students offset these costs. London leads on cost-effectiveness: London is the most cost-effective city in which to study in the UK, while York is the least cost-effective for the second year in a row. Bank of Mum and Dad dries up: nearly half (46 per cent) not receiving any parental funding. |
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Out of ammunition?
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, in his speech last week, showed his concerns about the possibility that the country could witness a double dip recession, stating that the economic outlook seems “inherently uncertain” and that the economy “remains vulnerable to unexpected developments,” according to the latest NBK money market report. |
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Asian economies more resilient during global crisis than expected
The statistics also show that the Asia and Pacific region has the largest share of global GDP measured in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms at around 33 per cent, with Europe accounting for 28 per cent, and North America 24 per cent, while six of the world’s top 20 economies, in GDP at PPP terms, come from Asia. At the same time, the data shows that output in the region is dominated by just three countries—China, India, and Japan—which collectively produce 70 per cent of the total. |
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RAM expects economy to expand 7.4 per cent in 2010
“Export growth is attributable to sustained (and increasing) demand from Newly Industrialised Economies and China. This trend is expected to continue as Asian economies still power much of the current global growth momentum; the crisis-hit economies are expected to continue experiencing lethargic recovery,” the rating agency says. |
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