Oil prices affect GCC government budgets

In this interview with Maya Hojeij from Asharq Business Bloomberg, Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, discussed the impact of oil prices on the GCC economies and government budgets.

Dr Nakhle stated that the GCC countries still heavily rely on hydrocarbons and are therefore significantly exposed to volatility in international markets: when oil prices are high, the GCC economies flourish and public spending increases, but when prices crash, economies suffer equally. This cyclical relationship does not translate into long term healthy and sustainable economic growth for the region.

Dr Nakhle added that the recent rise in oil prices will positively impact government finances in the short term. In the longer term, prices have to sustain these levels to support the government budget. The IMF estimated that the annual fiscal breakeven of Saudi Arabia is at 82 $/bbl, meaning that the oil price has to average around these price levels for the whole year for Saudi Arabia to have a balanced fiscal budget. In addition to the reliance on oil revenues, the GCC countries heavily rely on the imports of basic goods which are currently experiencing notable inflationary pressure. And despite discussing the need for economic diversification at least since the 1970s, the process remains work in progress.