Saudi Arabia is one of the most controversial and least known of the Arab nations. A land of massive contrasts between its densely populated cities and its vast expanses of desert; between the recent poverty of its villages and the massive wealth created by oil, which is drawing a labour force from most of the neighbouring countries; between the aggressive technocratic and industrial thrust forward and the strongly traditionalist Islamic basis of the ruling ideologies it has progressed to world prominence in a matter of years after centuries of little or no change. The change is not so much a surge, or even a thrust, as a rush into the industrialized and wealthy world. This book analyzes the problems and achievements of Saudi development and provides the first detailed critique of the Third Development Plan.

First published in 1982."

The recent economic development of the Yemen Arab Republic is in stark contrast to the centuries of isolation that had marked the country prior to the 1962 Revolution. When economic planning was instituted in the 1970s, the nation was confronted by the needs of reconstruction after years of conflict, and of development. A formidable task was faced in the need to establish basic infrastructure throughout a country with a widely dispersed population and with extremely rugged terrain. In addition, the economy has been characterized by the high percentage of the workforce attracted overseas as migrant workers. This book provides the first comprehensive study of the economic development of this under-studied nation.

First published in 1986.

This volume is the first-hand observation and research on the area comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It presents basic economic data on the UAE and delineates the problems in the economy and analyzes it. The book offers practical information on the developmental process in the UAE.

Addressing the major issues arising from the power ascribed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), this book reflects the bredth, expertise and multifaceted viewpoints of the contributors: members of OPEC itself, industry representatives, and scholars and energy specialists from the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Throughout the book, the authors look at the potential of OPEC, discernible trends in such crucial areas as global petroleum supply and pricing, and the international economic and political implications of both.

Addressing the major issues arising from the power ascribed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), this book reflects the bredth, expertise and multifaceted viewpoints of the contributors: members of OPEC itself, industry representatives, and scholars and energy specialists from the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Throughout the book, the authors look at the potential of OPEC, discernible trends in such crucial areas as global petroleum supply and pricing, and the international economic and political implications of both.

This book delineates Kuwait's economic activities and potential and assesses the country's impact on the global economy. It is premised upon a more descriptive and practical approach, to crystallize some perspectives on trade and investment pertaining to the small but increasingly important nation.

No region in the world has seen so much development activity in the last ten years as the Gulf area. Since black gold catapulted the oil-producing countries into the limelight of the international political and economic scene, there has been a proliferation of studies on the larger exporting states. However, many of the so-called small countries have been neglected in this exercise. This book presents the first detailed examination of the bases and extent of economic development in Qatar and considers the need to translate the petroleum-generated growth into viable, self-sustained development. Qatar, though not one of the oil giants, was first in the field of oil development and exhibits a number of special features not shared by its Gulf neighbours: for example in pre-oil boom days it was already in advance of many other Gulf states in the field of education; it has a modest agriculture sector and there is a comparatively strong attachment to the land; and finally it has played an important role in OPEC as a member of the moderate price camp. The individual chapters trace the development of the oil industry, outline public financing and economic policy and sketch the issues involved in industrialisation, absorptive capacity and agricultural development. Examination is made of the social and physical infrastructure as well as money and banking, and the international linkages in trade, foreign aid, economic cooperation efforts and investment opportunities are elucidated. Planners in Qatar know that their revenue base in petroleum is finite, and thus investment of present surplus needs careful planning. The book therefore also outlines current government priorities and suggests areas for future investments.

First published in 1979."

Since the early 1970s the oil producing countries of the Gulf have become a focus of intense interest worldwide. Most of this interest has centred on the oil giants, Saudi Arabia, Iran, even Iraq and Kuwait. Yet the United Arab Emirates is also among the largest producers, on a par with Kuwait, Nigeria and Libya, with reserves greater than the USA. Given its high economic growth rate, the UAE is an excellent laboratory in which to test and evaluate policies and programmes to effect rapid economic development. The international stature of the UAE far exceeds what its physical size, population and breadth of resources would seem to indicate. As a member of OPEC, the UAE has played a vital role within that body s price moderates . With one of the world s highest per capita incomes and with ambitious development efforts under way, the UAE, not surprisingly, has become a major market for capital and consumer goods, involving substantial foreign services, banking, business and industry. Based on more than a decade of study, on-site research and interviews with key figures, this book which mixes the practical with the academic approach will prove of great value to Middle Eastern and development specialists, students and to the international business and financial communities.

First published in 1981."

Although small geographically, Kuwait casts a disproportionately large shadow in the areas of international finance, energy, and trade. It enjoys a capital-surplus economy, but is still a developing country and one of the fastest growing markets for goods and services. Kuwait's drive toward economic development and self-sustaining investment both at home and abroad arises from the knowledge that the nation's prosperity derives overwhelmingly from a single, nonrenewable asset-petroleum. Professor El Mallakh delineates Kuwait's economic activities and potential and assesses the country's impact on the global economy. Basing his work on two decades of research and writing on Kuwait and neighboring Gulf states, and on interviews with Kuwaiti officials and financial and business leaders, he presents a wealth of detailed and practical information, little of which is readily accessible elsewhere. He also analyzes the use of Kuwait's capital-surplus funds with reference to the region, to Europe, and to the United States, and looks at the country's priorities for future international investment and development projects.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most controversial and least known of the Arab nations. A land of massive contrasts - between its densely populated cities and its vast expanses of desert; between the recent poverty of its villages and the massive wealth created by oil, which is drawing a labour force from most of the neighbouring countries; between the aggressive technocratic and industrial thrust forward and the strongly traditionalist Islamic basis of the ruling ideologies - it has progressed to world prominence in a matter of years after centuries of little or no change. The change is not so much a surge, or even a thrust, as a rush into the industrialized and wealthy world. This book analyzes the problems and achievements of Saudi development and provides the first detailed critique of the Third Development Plan. First published in 1982.

The recent economic development of the Yemen Arab Republic is in stark contrast to the centuries of isolation that had marked the country prior to the 1962 Revolution. When economic planning was instituted in the 1970s, the nation was confronted by the needs of reconstruction after years of conflict, and of development. A formidable task was faced in the need to establish basic infrastructure throughout a country with a widely dispersed population and with extremely rugged terrain. In addition, the economy has been characterized by the high percentage of the workforce attracted overseas as migrant workers. This book provides the first comprehensive study of the economic development of this under-studied nation. First published in 1986.

No region in the world has seen so much development activity in the last ten years as the Gulf area. Since 'black gold' catapulted the oil-producing countries into the limelight of the international political and economic scene, there has been a proliferation of studies on the larger exporting states. However, many of the so-called 'small countries' have been neglected in this exercise. This book presents the first detailed examination of the bases and extent of economic development in Qatar and considers the need to translate the petroleum-generated growth into viable, self-sustained development. Qatar, though not one of the oil 'giants', was first in the field of oil development and exhibits a number of special features not shared by its Gulf neighbours: for example in pre-oil boom days it was already in advance of many other Gulf states in the field of education; it has a modest agriculture sector and there is a comparatively strong attachment to the land; and finally it has played an important role in OPEC as a member of the 'moderate price' camp. The individual chapters trace the development of the oil industry, outline public financing and economic policy and sketch the issues involved in industrialisation, absorptive capacity and agricultural development. Examination is made of the social and physical infrastructure as well as money and banking, and the international linkages in trade, foreign aid, economic cooperation efforts and investment opportunities are elucidated. Planners in Qatar know that their revenue base in petroleum is finite, and thus investment of present surplus needs careful planning. The book therefore also outlines current government priorities and suggests areas for future investments. First published in 1979.