Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Notes:
The authors would like to thank Johanna Lanitis and Sandrine Perrollaz
for their excellent research assistance.
The full text of The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries and the
World: Scenarios to 2025 will be available to Forum members following
its exclusivity period with our developing partners. For further informa-
tion, please contact the World Economic Forum Scenario Team at sce-
narios@weforum.org.
part3.fin 3/22/07 12:14 PM Page 130
In developing these scenarios, the Forum closely low on average, particularly at the tertiary level, and
involved senior executives from leading global compa- the quality of education is in need of upgrading. In
nies, as well as thought leaders, scenario practitioners, the innovation category, all countries with the
and public figures.Together they identified the following exception of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar
critical questions: rank in the lower half of the overall sample of 128
countries. A closer look at the results points to the
• Will leaders in the GCC countries be willing and weak quality of local research institutions as well as
able to implement the necessary economic and shortages in qualified staff as the most important
political reforms and enforce the rule of law, both reasons behind the lagging R&D performance of
in public and in private governance? the GCC region.This creates an impediment to
development and exacerbates other problems asso-
• Can the GCC countries maintain internal order ciated with importing both foreign workers and
and stability, in particular vis-à-vis a complex and technologies. As a result, the way in which educa-
uncertain regional situation? tion policies are handled by GCC governments will
be a significant determinant of the region’s ability
Answering these questions in different ways provides the to develop as innovation-based economies that do
basis for imagining different futures for the GCC coun- not wholly rely on natural resources.
tries based on their progress in implementing economic,
political, and social reforms and the various possibilities • Leadership and governance. The GCC countries
in terms of regional stability. Both questions are also of are ruled by traditionally organized family groups,
vital importance for the evolution of national competi- with varying underlying executive, legislative, and
tiveness and economic growth. judicial models. Leadership and governance will
therefore be instrumental in determining the path
that the GCC countries will take over the next 20
Key themes of the scenarios years. Although much is being undertaken today in
The GCC countries have benefited enormously from terms of reform to improve the efficiency and
130 oil and gas reserves and assets that have generated signif- openness of these systems, the strategies chosen and
icant financial liquidity in the six years between 2001 the rates of change vary between GCC countries.
and 2007. Its present wealth poses an interesting question In managing both internal stability and reforms, and
for those interested in the future of the GCC countries, thus in determining the structure and strength of
and one that these scenarios seek to address: How can institutions, leadership plays a critical role at all levels
this wealth be put to use to ensure that the GCC of GCC government as well as in the private sector.
countries expand in affluence, and also ensure that they
overcome the internal and external pressures that could Before discussing the scenarios and their implications in
shift them from the path of sustainable prosperity? detail, it is useful to take a look at the competitiveness
In positing three possible futures that address these landscape of the GCC countries that emerges in 2007.
questions in different ways, two key themes consistently
emerge as being crucial to the future of the GCC
countries. Both of these directly and indirectly affect Current competitiveness challenges in the Gulf
the competitiveness of the GCC countries: Cooperation Council countries
The results of the Global Competitiveness Index high-
• Education and innovation. The GCC countries light a number of competitive strengths and weaknesses
face the challenge that their collective oil reserves, for the five GCC countries it covers—Bahrain, Kuwait,
although vast, will not last forever. Nor are oil and Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.The Index
gas always a reliable source of wealth—there have assesses competitiveness of countries by looking at nine
been many times when GCC budgets were in deficit criteria that affect competitiveness: institutions, infra-
and public debt rose as a result of falling energy structure, macroeconomy, health and primary education,
prices. However, in attempting to diversify away higher education and training, market efficiency, techno-
from oil, the GCC countries face a major problem logical readiness, business sophistication, and innovation.
in that their existing skill base for workers is low by The average results in these categories are benchmarked
world standards, and relatively little research, devel- against Singapore in Figure 1.2
opment, and innovation are occurring in the region. Not surprisingly, given the current surge in oil
Data from the Global Competitiveness Index indi- prices, members of the GCC display stable macroeco-
cate that the region significantly lags behind in terms nomic indicators. In particular, oil revenues combined
of education and innovation (see Chapter 1.1 of with better fiscal management than in previous years
this Report for a more detailed discussion). fueled budget surpluses and enabled governments to
Enrollment rates in educational institutions remain partly repay public debt and increase national savings,
part3.fin 3/22/07 12:14 PM Page 131
Institutions
7
G GCC countries*
6
Innovation Infrastructure G Singapore
5
4
3
Business
2 Macro-
sophistication
1
economy
131
but this also increased inflation. On average, countries institutions, but also because of the scarcity of qualified
also display well-run institutions with relatively well staff, such as scientists and engineers.
protected property rights and fairly low levels of corrup-
tion. Businesses have trust in the honesty of politicians
and consider public spending to be well invested. Efforts Overview of competitiveness aspects within the
to strengthen the financial sector have paid off in the scenarios
region, and financial markets display, on average, a fairly Three different paths for the GCC countries through to
high level of sophistication. At the same time, however, 2025 are represented in Figure 2, displayed as movements
financial markets are not sufficiently geared toward fuel- through a matrix defined by the key questions above.
ing entrepreneurship, and access to finance for local The resulting scenarios are called Oasis, Sandstorm, and
companies remains difficult in many countries, despite The Fertile Gulf.
high liquidity levels.
In order to realize their full competitive potential, Oasis
GCC countries should focus on strengthening the Oasis describes a scenario where regional stability con-
availability and quality of educational institutions at tinues to be a challenge for the GCC countries, which
the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, although the are nevertheless able to achieve substantial institutional
performance on educational indicators among GCC reforms in an environment of relatively stable oil prices
countries is very diverse. Some countries lag behind in that have a floor of US$45 per barrel.The GCC coun-
terms of primary education and display fairly high levels tries develop strong identities and work together to
of illiteracy, while other countries need to improve uni- coordinate diplomatic and economic policies through
versity education. A common problem that occurs across technocratic governance and a strong internal market.
the region, however, is that the educational institutions Overregulation in world markets slows the process of
do not teach young people the skills necessary to succeed globalization of the world economy to global GDP
in the private sector. growth rates of 3–3.5 percent, affecting the GCC coun-
In most GCC countries, more openness to domestic tries; nonetheless, these countries are an oasis of stability
and international competition would benefit the econo- and prosperity in an otherwise troubled region. By
my. Also, the ability to adopt technologies from abroad 2025, the countries have all made significant gains in
and the capacity to innovate are on average limited. terms of competitiveness, but have done so via a series
This is mainly because of the low quality of research of top-down reforms and industry policy rather than by
focusing on market liberalization.Thus, although health,
part3.fin 3/22/07 12:14 PM Page 132
Regional stability
The Fertile Gulf
Sandstorm Oasis
Regional instability
Source: World Economic Forum: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries and the World: Scenarios to 2025.
132
education, and technology have improved substantially, The skills shortage begins to be addressed by edu-
there remain some elements of friction within institutions cational reform aimed at enhancing human capital in
and markets that are geared toward strategic priorities, strategic sectors, improving public infrastructure across
and infrastructure investments occasionally suffer from the region, and implementing on-the-job training
poor planning. Nevertheless, efforts to build the private through appropriate training schemes.Training programs
sector and improve the efficiency of the public sector for nationals in both domestic and international firms
have paid off in terms of increased business sophistica- are being funded. Because the strategy indicated that
tion and reduced costs of bureaucracy and corruption. high-tech industries should be developed within the oil
and gas sector, a public-private partnership to train local
2007–12 engineers has been established. At the same time, a
As tensions rise in the Gulf with regard to Iran and review of educational standards across the six GCC
problems persist with sectarian and insurgent violence countries has been undertaken, and a plan for regional
in Iraq, a new regional body known as the GCC accreditation of universities has been put in place.
Economic Coordination and Development Board Leaders have been encouraged to be role models for
progressively develops a coordinated regional economic private-sector participation; the educational system
strategy to make the most of relatively high oil prices— has reinforced this message.Taken together, all this has
the “Three Pillars” strategy—that aims at (1) encouraging contributed to upgrading the image of the professional
public-private partnerships, (2) encouraging economic worker and strengthened meritocracy among the work-
diversification, and (3) improving governance through force.The GCC region achieves over 5 percent real
stronger and more efficient institutions.There is a focus compound annual growth for the period.
on building the private sector through targeted incen-
tives for domestic and foreign investment, particularly in 2013–20
tourism, business services, and energy-intensive industries Nuclear proliferation causes regional concerns and
such as petrochemicals, aluminum, and steel. Financial increases the volatility of the price of oil. Efforts to
markets develop strongly, and there is talk of market accelerate economic diversification continue with
consolidation following monetary integration in 2012. strategic research and development (R&D) investments,
part3.fin 3/22/07 12:14 PM Page 133
120
100
80
60
Percent of GDP
40
20
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
–20
–40
–60
budgetary spending is largely contained. Despite a Unemployment, in particular among the young,
somewhat difficult environment, integration with the remains at high levels in most countries.
global economy continues and there is a strong increase
in trade in goods and services. Both trade in goods and 2013–20
trade in services more than quadruple.The politics of In a depressed global environment, a lack of attention to
the region are not profoundly different from the begin- the causes of internal problems mean that reforms are
ning of the century, but wealth has increased significantly, ineffective. Governments have a tendency to focus on
with GDP per capita hitting levels above US$30,000 in short-term fixes rather than long-term solutions, and
nominal terms. Despite ongoing calls for increased they divert the oil revenues that do exist to extensive
transparency in decision-making, people are generally arms purchases and investment in nonproductive assets.
satisfied with their governments’ management of natural Capital is leaked to Europe. A series of terrorist attacks
resources and social issues. causes Gulf populations to carefully consider their inter-
nal security, and financial markets across the region suf-
Sandstorm fer heavily as a result. Nevertheless, real non-oil GDP
Sandstorm describes a future where regional instability is recovers slightly to regain the levels prior to the conflict
a defining factor, affecting the ability of GCC countries with Iran, and success for Kuwait and United Arab
to effectively carry out much-needed institutional Emirates brings the GCC current account balance back
reforms. In a depressed global environment affected by into the black.
extremely volatile oil prices, reforms deflate or collapse Labor markets continue to be strongly regulated
from a lack of attention to the root cause of internal in favor of national employees, who appear not only
issues and the tendency for governments to focus on often to lack the necessary skills but also to have a less
short-term stability at the expense of long-term solutions. performance-oriented attitude than foreign workers.
Caught in a shifting, violent environment, the GCC This in particular affects executive positions in compa-
countries are blinded, unable to navigate their way out of nies. Reforms of government bureaucracies, although
the sandstorm and identify opportunities for prosperity undertaken, are only superficially implemented, consti-
for their populations, despite the fact that low oil prices tuting a major impediment to business. Huge delays and
134 from 2011, caused by the global slowdown, offer a costs for obtaining permits are the rule and government
wealth of incentives for reform. In terms of competitive- contracts are awarded arbitrarily.The bureaucratic prob-
ness, the GCC countries find themselves worse off than lems intensify after reforms are scaled down in 2015 and
they were at the beginning of the century, with stagnant 2016. By 2020, businesses consider the inadequately
and inflexible institutions, eroded and irrelevant public educated labor force and the inefficient government
infrastructure, a poorly developed and internationally bureaucracy to be the two most problematic factors for
struggling private sector, and a lack of educational and doing business.
financial capital with which to rectify the situation. During this time, GCC countries start falling further
behind the rest of the world in terms of the adoption
2007–12 and implementation of new technologies, and they have
The Gulf region is thrown into chaos in 2009 when the more and more difficulty competing with international
United States undertakes a military strike against Iranian players from China and India. Even in the exploration
nuclear sites, provoking Iranian missile attacks on US and production of oil, the value added is not captured
bases in GCC countries along the Gulf and helping to successfully. And although a few pockets of excellence
precipitate a global recession. Oil prices stabilize, after an emerge in selected sectors and countries, reforms are
initial drop, when they reach levels as low as US$30 per not implemented effectively and a more prosperous and
barrel in 2011 down from US$140 in 2009. In addition, productive private sector does not emerge.
populations in GCC countries react strongly to the
deteriorating security situation, resulting in a period of 2021–25
internal instability. GCC governments scramble to head The GCC countries are caught in a trap of needing to
off internal and external threats to their authority. Funds control their populations out of fear of further unrest,
are diverted to military spending at the expense of but being thereby unable effectively to create the condi-
improving institutions and education. Instead of fostering tions for renewed growth, despite rising oil revenues.
R&D and creating a long-lasting capital base, investments GDP growth in the GCC is stable at annual rates of
are directed toward public infrastructure of limited utili- about 5 percent. Reform efforts remain constrained by
ty, creating only temporary employment. As a result of the fears of a deteriorating security situation. Access to
the political instability, military attacks, and the like, and education remains difficult, and distance learning is the
the failure to support private-sector reforms (negating only viable option. At the same time, ICT infrastructure
the influence of fluctuating oil prices), the real economy is considered subversive by governments. Meanwhile,
contracts by 19 percent over the period. thanks to resilient populations making the most of the
part3.fin 3/22/07 12:14 PM Page 135
150 Oasis
Sandstorm
Fertile Gulf
120
US$ (nominal) per barrel)
90
60
30
0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
136
Figure 5: Real GDP per capita
18,000 Oasis
Sandstorm
16,000 Fertile Gulf
14,000
US$ (2000 dollars)
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
100
Oasis
95 Sandstorm
Fertile Gulf
90
85
Percent
80
75
70
65
60
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
137
Figure 7: Gulf Cooperation Council budget balance
600
Oasis
500 Sandstorm
Fertile Gulf
400
Current US$ (billions)
300
200
100
–100
–200
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Table 1: Qualitative comparison of the trends between 2006 and 2025 based on the Global Competitiveness Index
Table 1: Qualitative comparison of the trends between 2006 and 2025 based on the Global Competitiveness Index (cont’d.)
Conclusion: The way forward reforms, using the region’s natural resource advantages
The GCC countries are currently at a crossroad in to absorb costs of adjustment in the short term in return
terms of their economic competitiveness. Although for improved competitiveness and sustainable economic
reforms to date have been, on the whole, well thought prosperity in the long term.
out and positively implemented, high oil prices and the Having illustrated three plausible futures for the
resulting boom in revenue may distract governments competitiveness of the GCC countries in these scenarios,
from the need for further, more painful, reforms. the next step is to look to indicators that can signal 141
Depending on their decisions now, the GCC countries which path the GCC countries are proceeding down.
could remain primarily oil exporters, or they could These scenarios suggest that keeping the pulse of the
develop the Arabian Peninsula into an innovation hub state’s local education, R&D spending, and entrepreneur-
that leads the global economy. ship could provide a useful indicator for the long-term
The competitiveness of GCC countries will depend health of regional economies.The Global Competitiveness
on how well elements contained in the nine pillars are Index, which comes to similar conclusions, provides
integrated, embedded, and constantly improved. Given policymakers in the region with a framework of indica-
the heterogeneity of countries, it is important to bear in tors that not only point to competitive strengths and
mind that key themes such as leadership, strong and effi- weaknesses as well as areas for potential investment, but
cient institutions, diversification of the economy, effec- can also be used to track progress over time.This Index
tive primary and job-aligned higher education, the also provides relevant benchmarks and can inform policy
adeptness on technological prerequisites, and the foun- decisions by pointing to international best practice.
dation for innovation will play out differently in each Another way in which the scenarios can aid economic
county within each scenarios. competitiveness is by opening policymakers up to new
The stories that the scenarios present, supported by opportunities to improve GCC institutions, and to
the underlying quantitative research and modeling, clearly ensure that they are well informed of alternative options
indicate that the future of competitiveness for the GCC and prepared for those times when expectations are not
countries relies heavily on investment in education and met. GCC countries seem to be on the high road of
innovation, supported by an enabling business environ- continued prosperity and improved competitiveness.
ment and well-functioning institutions.While the view However it is important that current investments be
from 2007 is that institutional and economic reforms are made wisely to ensure that this continues for the next
well underway and look set to continue across the GCC 20 years and beyond.
countries, this is by no means certain. In addition, current
competitiveness bottlenecks related to workplace skills,
access to credit, and innovation must be resolved with Notes
1 The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are Bahrain, Kuwait,
effective investment and better incentives for increased
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
productivity as well as improved labor force participa-
2 Singapore has been selected as a benchmark because it operates at
tion.The scenarios indicate that serious efforts in these the same stage of development as most of the GCC countries.
areas must be accompanied by a strong leadership that is
willing to forge ahead with sometimes unpopular