Tension between Kuwait's ruling government and elected parliament are hampering policy formation and intensifying uncertainty as the economy gets back on its feet. Will the new parliament elected last month change the situation? Writer Stephen Timewell

One of the few economies to prosper in the past two years, Qatar's route to success - on the back of liquefied natural gas exports - started with an expensive, long-term investment in the mid-1990s that is now coming to fruition. Writer Stephen Timewell

Saudi Arabia's conservative economic and political strategy has protected the country from the brunt of the credit crisis, and as King Abdullah ushers in a period of reform, increased government spending is set to diversify its economy. Writer Stephen Timewell

Abu Dhabi's second Islamic bank was launched almost a year ago, just before the global financial crisis hit the Middle East. Despite this Al Hilal Bank continues to expand. Writer Mike Imeson

The global financial crisis has limited the finances available for major projects in the Middle East. But this could be an opportunity for Islamic financiers to come up with sharia-compliant finance to make up for the shortfall of Western funds. Writer James Gavin