The Banker looks at how Kuwait is preparing to survive falling oil prices and the Covid-19 crisis.

With an eye to attracting foreign investment, Kuwait is pushing ahead with reforms to the regulation of corporate conduct. 

While Kuwait does have a financial bulwark against the financial challenges caused by the reduction in oil prices and the coronavirus, it is not limitless – meaning it may have to look again at its abandoned reforms. 

Kuwait and other OPEC members are considering an agreement with non-OPEC countries to reduce supply – but is this likely? 

Kuwait has made strong moves towards improving its capital markets – but the coronavirus pandemic may well put a brake on this progress.

There have been a high number of mergers and acquisitions across the GCC region in recent years, with lower oil prices leading lenders to increasingly look to consolidation. 

Though flat oil prices are having an effect on Bahrain’s economy, the country’s banking sector continues to perform well, in spite of calls for consolidation.

The director of Italy’s Institute of International Affairs, Nathalie Tocci, talks to Silvia Pavoni about Middle Eastern issues amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran.