(Newsweek) Carla Power - With benchmarks for oil rising fast, Middle East economies grew 5.6% last year, recording the highest per capita growth rate in a generation and triggering an unexpected golden era that shows no sign of ending soon. Last year Saudi Arabia based its budget on a forecast of $19 a barrel; the average price over the year was $35, giving Riyadh the biggest surplus in Saudi history.
2005-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive