to remain weak or weaken relative to 2012
across MENA and average 2.8%, down from the
estimated 5.6% in 2012. Growth has been most
volatile in the MENA’s developing oil exporting
countries, and is projected to slow down
considerably due to unfavorable developments,
especially in Libya, Iran, and Syria. Growth of
MENA’s oil importing countries is expected to
remain weak and below potential, but
performance will strengthen slightly relative to
2012 (see Figure 1). The economic expansion of
the GCC economies will slow down relative to