據油價網12月6日消息稱，在通貨膨脹、地緣政治危機和供應鏈不安全加劇了全球經濟不確定性的一年里，中東見證了連續第二年的經濟增長，該地區國家投資于新技術和項目，這可能預示著未來幾年更大程度的區域一體化。

根據國際貨幣基金組織10月的預測，全球GDP增長預計將從2021年的6%放緩至2022年的3.2%，而持續的高油價將推動中東的GDP增長從2021年的4.1%升至2022年的5%。盡管預計到2023年，區域經濟增速將放緩至3.6%，但仍超過了2.7%的全球預測數字。

海灣合作委員會的產油國是該地區今年表現最好的國家：科威特的GDP預計將在2022年增長8.7%，其次是沙特阿拉伯（7.6%）、阿聯酋（5.1%）和阿曼（4.4%）。與此同時，在石油的支撐下，伊拉克的GDP增長了9.3%，埃及(6.6%)和阿爾及利亞(4.7%)繼續在后疫情時代復蘇。

石油收入帶來的意外之財帶來了更大的財政靈活性和外部平衡盈余，使海灣合作委員會成員國能夠繼續為其多樣化努力提供資金，同時改善外交關系為加強區域和全球一體化提供了可能性。

曹海斌 摘譯自 油價網

原文如下：

High Oil Prices Are Fueling Economic Growth In The Middle East

In a year of global economic uncertainty fuelled by inflation, geopolitical crises and supply chain insecurity, the Middle East witnessed a second consecutive year of economic growth, with countries in the region investing in new technologies and projects that could herald greater integration in the years ahead.

Whereas global GDP expansion is projected to slow from 6% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2022, sustained high oil prices are set to push GDP growth in the Middle East from 4.1% in 2021 to 5% in 2022, according to an October forecast from the IMF. Although regional economic expansion is slated to moderate somewhat to 3.6% in 2023, this nonetheless outpaces the projected global figure of 2.7%.

Oil-producing countries in the GCC were the region’s top performers this year: Kuwait’s GDP is expected to expand by 8.7% in 2022, followed by Saudi Arabia (7.6%), the UAE (5.1%) and Oman (4.4%). Iraq, meanwhile, saw GDP growth of 9.3% on the back of oil, while Egypt (6.6%) and Algeria (4.7%) continued their post-Covid-19-pandemic recoveries.

The windfall from oil revenue has generated more fiscal flexibility and external balance surpluses, allowing GCC members to continue to fund their diversification efforts, while improving diplomatic relations have opened the possibility for enhanced regional and global integration.