The economic program focuses on the economies of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf region, covering the macro-economy, economic development, energy and labour markets.
Dr. Omar Al Ubaydli discusses the impacts of increasing certain wages in noting that an increase in public sector salaries should be in a very narrow range, and should be applied in a carefully selected group of jobs....
Dr. Omar Al Ubaydli notes that Gulf countries should work toward eliminating customs taxes, switching exclusively to VAT. The primary benefit will be in opening markets for the Gulf countries’ new non-oil exports as they implement their economic visions.....
Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council just approved a special residency permit for entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled expatriates. Dr. Omar A-Ubaydli discusses this potentially positive step for the economy ......
Following the New York Times editorial board recently published editorial bemoaning corporations’ continued interest in investing in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Omar AlUbaydli in Al Arabiya provides some additional context on what makes Saudi Arabia eye-catching to foreign investors.
Many natural resource-dependent countries have tried to restructure government finances in the wake of falling commodity prices, with little success. Dr. Omar AlUbaydli discusses the goals of Bahrain’s Fiscal Balance Program and at the factors that may serve to increase the likelihood of success.
In late March 2019, the global ride-hailing giant Uber announced its acquisition of its Middle-Eastern competitor, Careem; Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli discusses the implications....
Lack of financial literacy and a worrying trend of personal debt are discussed by Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli in his latest article for 'The National'.
The EGIC, Italy, hosted Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, to present findings from the recent Bahrain Human Development Report 2018 and to discuss the importance of socio-economic development to peace, security and resilience.
Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli discusses why President Trump's fight against a trade deficit maybe misguided.
Dr. Omar talk about how the openness of the Gulf economy boosts productivity.
Economists typically criticise import tariffs, because they result in higher prices for consumers.The Arabian Gulf countries have generally subscribed to this view. However, as the Gulf countries look to diversify their economies, is it time to consider imposing temporary tariffs to develop domestic industries?
Is diversifying imports the answer to low productivity and preserving future water resources for Bahrain?
In order to boost entrepreneurship, Saudi Arabia should consider following a 1950s plan used to improve the Italian economy, which was done in partnership with the US, a recent paper by Michela Giorcelli of the University of California suggested.
Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli talks to Al-Bilad Newspaper about the fiscal balance program that Bahrain started to implement in the last quarter of last year and how it will strengthen investor confidence in the economy and will support prospects for future growth, while rating agencies will improve their outlook on the future of the Kingdom.
Omar Al Ubaydli investigates how our consumption decisions partially reflect our efforts to convey a certain social status to others, sending a signal to our peers that we are wealthy and powerful, and that we have good taste.......
As the political crisis unfolding in Venezuela seizes the headlines, analysts frequently draw attention to the fact that the South American country has the largest oil reserves in the world.........
The US economy has traditionally been a heavy importer of oil, making it unquestionably a fan of low oil prices. Meanwhile, the shale oil revolution has transformed the US oil industry, and driven net imports to almost zero. But, has that been enough to make America favor high oil prices, and to be an OPEC ally?
At the start of January 2019, Bahrain launched a 5 per cent value-added tax (VAT), following Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli explains the impact on prices.
The 60,000 word report was authored by a team of specialist researchers, headed by independent development expert, Dr. Craig Naumann, and featuring three Bahrainis affiliated to Derasat: economist Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, economist Ms. Ghada Abdulla, and renewable energy specialist Eng. Abdulla Alabbasi. It covers the period 2005-2018...............
Conferences such as the Manama Dialogue, held in Bahrain and organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), play a crucial role in finding solutions to security threats.
