In the last few years, policy makers in most Arab countries have recognized the role of the private sector in shaping their economies. Furthermore, as long-term economic growth is dependent on the provision of funds to finance domestic capital formation, these countries are undergoing a process of economic reform to diversify their economies and to privatize public assets. As effective privatization programs should be met by well prepared and fully-equipped stock markets, governments in the Arab countries are paying attention to domestic capital markets as a way of enhancing the supply of money.

This study assesses the changes in the economic conditions in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates and the performance of their stock markets over the past eight years.