Proximity to war-torn Syria is piling on the pressure for Lebanon, which faces plummeting tourist numbers and an influx of refugees. Yet the country's GDP continues to show modest growth, and offshore oil reserves wait to be tapped if the political will can be found. 

The long-serving central bank governor of Lebanon, Riad Salamé, is a popular figure throughout the country, where he is widely seen as a steady hand amid an environment of political uncertainty. He talks to Edward Russell-Walling about his role in managing the Lebanese economy.

Lebanon's banks have for the past few years served as the pillars of the country's otherwise shaky economy. While they remain healthy, profits are being squeezed and lenders are anxiously awaiting a return to political and economic stability in the country.

As the Qatari economy begins to slow on the back of decreasing oil prices, liquidity in the country's banking system is feeling the squeeze. Ratings agencies have responded with downgrades, yet recent results are healthy as banks pursue new sources of growth. 

Qatar is expected to post its first budget deficit in 15 years in 2016, exemplifying the difficulties faced by the oil-dependent economy. But, far from buckling under the pressure, the country is stepping up to the challenge of diversifying its economy and reining in public spending, as Kit Gillet reports.

Low oil prices could have hit Qatar's economy hard, but early action from the government appears to have shielded it from the worst of the impact. The country's central bank governor, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, tells Kit Gillet about how these changes and future plans will protect and strengthen the country's banking sector.

With minimal growth and a hefty deficit expected in 2016, the Saudi Arabian government knows it must act fast to reverse the downward trend. James King looks at the raft of measures the country is putting in place to become less reliant on oil and achieve long-term growth.

Saudi Arabia has accepted that fundamental change is needed to deal with its budget deficit and is stepping up to the challenge with a long-term plan that includes privatisation, cuts to subsidies, boosting religious tourism and creating a more diversified economy. James King reports on its progress.

The governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Mohammad Al-Hashel, tells James King about his efforts to maintain exchange rate stability, prevent banks from becoming over-reliant on the real estate industry, and create a sukuk-friendly environment in the country.