MEcon | February 2026 Edition
This report provides February’s updates and analysis on key topics and valuable regional insights across the Middle East, focusing on the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar markets.
This month’s edition features a spotlight article analysing the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their potential economic repercussions, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. It provides valuable insights into how recent developments may affect economic analyses and forecasts prepared prior to this escalation.
The article explores the implications for economic sentiment across the region, considering the perspectives of investors, businesses, tourists, and residents, and how these have shifted since the events of 28 February. It also assesses the impact on energy price, especially oil and LNG, given their critical role in regional economies.
The analysis concludes with a comprehensive summary of how these factors are expected to influence key macroeconomic indicators across the GCC, including trade, fiscal balances, GDP, inflation, employment, and foreign direct investment.
The February MEcon also includes the regular country-level analysis, featuring an examination of the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s sports sector, insights into the growth of hedge funds and asset manager flows in the UAE, and an assessment of what Qatar’s new Golden Visa could mean for its economy.
