GCC

Gulf economies are set to rebound strongly in 2025, with growth projected to rise from 1.6% to 4.2%, driven by eased oil production limits and diversification efforts across the region.

Qatar has emerged as a leading force in the MENA art market through strategic investments, cultural infrastructure, and a focus on both global and regional art, positioning itself as a prominent global art hub.

Saudi Arabia is transforming its economy through the Vision 2030 initiative by investing in the fashion industry, supporting local talent, empowering women, and promoting sustainability, positioning itself as a rising fashion hub in the Middle East while blending cultural heritage with modern innovation.

The United Arab Emirates is the most economically competitive country in the Middle East as of 2024. The UAE continues to surpass its Gulf peers, as well as the U.S. and UK, because of business-friendly regulation, economic diversification, and world-class infrastructure.

Abu Dhabi has established itself as a global art and culture hub, utilising its rich heritage and major projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Art Fair to attract tourists, drive economic growth, and foster a diverse cultural ecosystem, while positioning the UAE as a leader in the region's tourism sector.