Q&A: Baring's Ghadir Abu Leil-Cooper

Maria Merricks talks to Ghadir Abu Leil-Cooper, manager of the Baring MENA fund, about her outlook for the region.

What is the macroeconomic outlook for the region? To understand the outlook for the region you need to concentrate on three key themes: external factors, domestic demand and fixed capital formation. Some of the region’s economies are sensitive to external factors such as oil and gas prices. However, the fact we have very strong prices – as well as a very prolific production of gas in Qatar – is good for those economies. It is not the be all and end all for the region but it is important to keep in mind. Meanwhile, domestic demand in the region is supported by attractive population gr...