Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds in a Shifting Landscape
The Gulf region's economies have long been reliant on oil and gas, with hydrocarbons dominating GDP. However, the 2010s oil price drop prompted a shift towards economic diversification. Sovereign Wealth Funds have contributed to this goal of diversification, with all studied countries, Qatar, The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, expanding their investment portfolios.
However, lack of oversight and politically-motivated spending have led to overambitious investments and scrutiny from global financial powers. Such developments have raised questions about long-term sustainability.