Alwaleed pushes the limits with edgy Twitter stake 19 Dec 2011 Even though Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is known as a bold investor, his $300 mln stake in the regime-usurping social network is decisively edgy. The Saudi royal family member increases his cool factor, but supporting unregulated speech might not sit well in the kingdom.
Saudi ripe for Chinese-style stock market opening 2 Nov 2011 Improved access to the kingdom’s bourse is an emerging market investor’s dream. The move, touted for early next year, isn’t without risks. But letting in qualified outsiders would line domestic pockets and aid efforts to expand the private sector.
Gulf liberal shift is more than sop to Arab Spring 26 Sep 2011 Saudi is giving women the right to vote. It follows the UAE’s decision to expand the electoral roll for its recent elections. These cautious democratic steps will help insure stability. But they’re also crucial for introducing the taxes required to reduce dependence on oil.
Oil price jitters turn up heat on Gulf producers 22 Sep 2011 Governments are sweating as Brent creeps lower with worsening global economics. At $108 a barrel, oil is $18 above the threshold at which producers feel real pain. But shrinking oil revenues leave less room for manoeuvre. And any OPEC supply squeeze will complicate the problem.