"Oman and Yemen Country Risk Report Q2 2015" now available at Fast Market Research

Core Views

* Uncertainty over the health of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, who has governed Oman since 1970, is bringing the succession question to the fore. We see major risks in the succession process. Governance is set to become more unpredictable in the future, and the Omani political system - with the Sultan enjoying all-encompassing powers - is largely unsustainable in its current form.
* The decline in oil prices will have a more severe impact on government and private consumption in Oman than in the rest of the GCC, given the country's fiscal vulnerabilities. We forecast the Omani economy to grow by 3.2% in real terms in 2015, down from an average rate of 3.5% between 2009 and 2012.
* The fall in oil prices will leave Oman posting budget and current account deficits from 2015 onward. While the country can rely on the debt and loan markets for the time being, the need to implement new taxes and curb spending will test the regime's popularity.
* We see Omani consumer price inflation rising slightly over the coming quarters, to an average of 1.8% in 2015 from 1.0% in 2014. A recovery in global food prices and higher energy prices for some industries will fuel inflationary pressures, but this will be mitigated by the continuing appreciation of the US dollar.

Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/951906_oman_and_yemen_country_risk_report_q2_2015.aspx?afid=301

Key Risks To Outlook

* We stress that, for the foreseeable future, Oman's economy will remain highly reliant on oil revenue. Our core view sees the government's public investment programme remaining relatively unaffected by the recent fall in oil prices. However, in the event of more extensive disruptions to capital expenditure, our positive outlook on the economy might prove overly optimistic.
* The autocratic nature of the political regime in Oman (and elsewhere in the Gulf) will ensure that risks of an uptick in protest activity by pro-democracy demonstrators remain elevated; such activity would generate uncertainty and deter investors from the market.
* Oman is well positioned to benefit from...

The Oman and Yemen Country Risk Report helps businesses with market assessment, strategic planning and decision making to promote growth and profitability in Oman and Yemen and is an essential tool for CEOs, Chairmen, Finance Directors/CFOs, Managing Directors, Marketing/Sales Directors with commercial interests in this emerging market..

An influential new analysis of Oman and Yemen's economic, political and financial prospects through end-2017, just published by award-winning forecasters, Business Monitor International (BMI).

Key Uses

* Forecast the pace and stability of Oman and Yemen's economic and industry growth through end-2017.
* Identify and evaluate adverse political and economic trends, to facilitate risk mitigation.
* Assess the critical shortcomings of the business environment that pose hidden barriers and costs to corporate profitability.

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