SAUDI ARABIA
Steady outlook
Driven in part by state spending on infrastructure, housing and social development projects, Saudi Arabia's economy is set for a year of solid growth. Longer-term predictions, however, are factoring in the uncertain state of the global economy.

MARKETS
BRIC vs MENA
A number of ME markets are trading at valuations below their BRIC counterparts, says NBK Capital. With a few potential catalysts such as an MSCI upgrade and Saudi opening up, there may even be hope for the unthinkable: a rally.

REGULATORY
Dealing with mortgage default
UAE's economy has found itself exposed to unprecedented rates of mortgage default, but the country is determined to address them and has already done much in that regard, at least in the way of public discourse and a series of draft laws writes Ludmila Yamalova, Managing Partner of HPL Yamalova & Plewka JLT.

REAL ESTATE
Tiptoeing back into lending
As the region's economy improves and some sections of the real-estate market show signs of stability and growth, banks are cautiously beginning to lend again. But they are imposing more stringent conditions than before.

RETAIL
Dubai's Barneys Adventure
High-end fashion retailer Barneys New York is headed for talks with lenders, in an effort to rework heavy debts incurred in an ill-timed 2007 takeover by Dubai investors.

SUKUK MONITOR
Success boosts bond hopes
Bankers expect a bumper year of bond sales in Saudi Arabia following the success of the country's first sovereign-guaranteed sukuk in January.

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