Inflation Dynamics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): What is the Role of External Factors?

Inflation Dynamics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): What is the Role of External Factors? PDF Author: Fozan Fareed
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Inflationary pressures have intensified in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2021-2022, mainly driven by a pick-up in tradeable goods inflation. Despite this increase, inflation remained relatively contained as compared to regional comparators. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of inflation dynamics in the region, with a focus on external factors because of GCC’s high reliance on international trade. Using a Global Vector Autoregressive model with quarterly data from 1987 to 2022, we find that external factors such as the imported inflation from main trading partners, mainly driven by China, and nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) are the main drivers of inflation in the GCC region. Additionally, we find that the direct pass-through of international commodity price shocks such as oil and raw agricultural materials is somewhat limited, after controlling for trading partners’ inflation, which can be explained by the prevalence of subsidies and administered prices in the region. Overall, since external factors are the main drivers of domestic inflation in the GCC, an increased focus on diversification, promoting food security, and ensuring prudent central bank policies, including through effective liquidity management frameworks, can play a key role in managing this impact.

Inflation Dynamics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): What is the Role of External Factors?

Inflation Dynamics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): What is the Role of External Factors? PDF Author: Fozan Fareed
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 30

Get Book Here

Book Description
Inflationary pressures have intensified in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2021-2022, mainly driven by a pick-up in tradeable goods inflation. Despite this increase, inflation remained relatively contained as compared to regional comparators. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of inflation dynamics in the region, with a focus on external factors because of GCC’s high reliance on international trade. Using a Global Vector Autoregressive model with quarterly data from 1987 to 2022, we find that external factors such as the imported inflation from main trading partners, mainly driven by China, and nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) are the main drivers of inflation in the GCC region. Additionally, we find that the direct pass-through of international commodity price shocks such as oil and raw agricultural materials is somewhat limited, after controlling for trading partners’ inflation, which can be explained by the prevalence of subsidies and administered prices in the region. Overall, since external factors are the main drivers of domestic inflation in the GCC, an increased focus on diversification, promoting food security, and ensuring prudent central bank policies, including through effective liquidity management frameworks, can play a key role in managing this impact.

Determinants of Inflation in GCC

Determinants of Inflation in GCC PDF Author: Mrs.Hanan Morsy
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1451872291
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
Inflationary pressures have heightened in the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since 2003. This paper studies determinants of inflation in GCC, using an empirical model that includes domestic and external factors. Inflation in major trading partners appears to be the most relevant foreign factor. In addition, oil revenues have reinforced inflationary pressures through growth of credit and aggregate spending. In the short-run, binding capacity constraints also explain higher inflation given increased government spending. Nonetheless, by targeting supply-side bottlenecks, the increase in government spending is easing capacity constraints and will ultimately help to moderate price inflation.

Inflation Differentials in the GCC

Inflation Differentials in the GCC PDF Author: Mr.Kamiar Mohaddes
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1463927282
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
This paper uses a pairwise approach to investigate the main factors that have been driving inflation differentials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for the past two decades. The results suggest that inflation differentials in the GCC are largely influenced by the oil cycle, mainly through the credit and fiscal channels. This implies that closer coordination of fiscal policies will be key for facilitating the closer integration of the GCC economies and ahead of the move to a monetary union. The results also indicate that after controlling for cyclical factors, convergence increased even during the recent oil boom.

Gulf Cooperation Council: Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC Countries

Gulf Cooperation Council: Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC Countries PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
The GCC region’s non-hydrocarbon growth momentum remains strong, driven by higher domestic demand, increased gross capital inflows, and reform implementation. Oil production – which depends on OPEC+ decisions – will be subdued in the near term. Inflation is contained and current account surpluses are high. Fiscal balances remain healthy, supported by fiscal reforms and high oil prices. The primary non-oil deficits are expected to decrease to 24 percent of GDP by 2028, with higher non-oil revenue reflecting sustained fiscal and structural reforms and contained expenditures. High global uncertainty is weighing on the outlook.

Understanding the Inflationary Process in the GCC Region: The Case of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

Understanding the Inflationary Process in the GCC Region: The Case of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait PDF Author: Maher Hasan
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
ISBN: 9781451870510
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description
This paper investigates the factors that affect inflation in the GCC region by examining the inflationary processes in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The paper utilizes a model that accounts for foreign factors affecting inflation, such as trading partners' inflation and exchange rate pass-through effect, as well as domestic influences. The analysis concludes that, in the long run, higher inflation in trading partners' countries is the main driving force for inflation in the two countries, with significant but lower contributions from the exchange rate pass-through effect and oil prices. Demand and money supply shocks affect inflation in the short run.

Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC)

Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) PDF Author: Samya Beidas-Strom
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781484383315
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Departmental papers are usually focused on a specific economic topic, country, or region. They are prepared in a timely way to support the outreach needs of the IMF’s area and functional departments.

Regional Economic Outlook, April 2022, Middle East and Central Asia

Regional Economic Outlook, April 2022, Middle East and Central Asia PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 41

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Book Description
The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are exacerbating the divergence in recovery prospects for the Middle East and Central Asia (ME&CA). Despite better-than-expected upside momentum in 2021, the economic environment in 2022 is defined by extraordinary headwinds and uncertainties, particularly for commodity importers, with higher and more volatile commodity prices, rising inflationary pressures, faster-than-expected monetary policy normalization in advanced economies, and a lingering pandemic. Prospects for oil exporters in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have improved, while countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region face a particularly challenging outlook given their linkages to Russia and Ukraine. Downside risks dominate the outlook and include a prolonged war and further sanctions on Russia, tighter-than-expected global financial conditions, possible deanchoring of inflation expectations, a sharper slowdown in China, and new pandemic outbreaks. Policymaking has become increasingly complex, with dwindling macro policy space to deal with these extraordinary shocks, amid high debt and inflation. Given divergent outlooks, policies will need to be calibrated carefully to country circumstances to manage uncertainties, maintain macroeconomic stability, and support the recovery while protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring food and energy security. Structural reforms have become even more urgent to prevent scarring from the pandemic and the war, and ensure a private sector-led and inclusive recovery, including by embracing digitalization and investing in a greener future.

Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and Challenges Ahead

Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and Challenges Ahead PDF Author: Ms.May Y Khamis
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1589065107
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
Departmental papers are usually focused on a specific economic topic, country, or region. They are prepared in a timely way to support the outreach needs of the IMF’s area and functional departments.

Economic Diversification in the GCC

Economic Diversification in the GCC PDF Author: Mr.Tim Callen
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498303234
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
Abstract: The economies of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are heavily reliant on oil. Greater economic diversification would reduce their exposure to volatility and uncertainty in the global oil market, help create jobs in the private sector, increase productivity and sustainable growth, and help create the non-oil economy that will be needed in the future when oil revenues start to dwindle. The GCC countries have followed many of the standard policies that are usually thought to promote more diversified economies, including reforms to improve the business climate, the development of domestic infrastructure, financial deepening, and improvements in education. Nevertheless, success to date has been limited. This paper argues that increased diversification will require realigning incentives for firms and workers in the economies—fixing these incentives is the “missing link” in the GCC countries’ diversification strategies. At present, producing non-tradables is less risky and more profitable for firms as they can benefit from the easy availability of low-wage foreign labor and the rapid growth in government spending, while the continued availability of high-paying and secure public sector jobs discourages nationals from pursuing entrepreneurship and private sector employment. Measures to begin to address these incentive issues could include limiting and reorienting government spending, strengthening private sector competition, providing guarantees and financial support for those firms engaged in export activity, and implementing labor market reforms to make nationals more competitive for private sector employment.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC Countries

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC Countries PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498339719
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description
The already sluggish global recovery has suffered new setbacks and uncertainty weighs heavily on prospects. The euro area crisis intensified in the first half of 2012 and growth has slowed across the globe, reflecting financial market tensions, extensive fiscal tightening in many countries, and high uncertainty about medium-term prospects. Activity is forecast to remain tepid and bumpy, with a further escalation of the euro-area crisis or a failure to avoid the “fiscal cliff” in the United States entailing significant downside risk.