COVID-19 likely to bring the Middle East economic pain
CGTN
The impact of the COVID-19 is likely to bring economic pain to the Middle East. In some cases it will exacerbate existing economic problems and challenges. But for all, the downturn in economic activity and revenue will mean fewer resources to provide an effective public healthcare response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The coronavirus crisis began and is still mainly concentrated in the Gulf region. It is also here that the World Health Organization has reported the greatest number of cases. The worst affected at Iran, with nearly 1,5000 confirmed cases and 853 deaths as of March 16, followed by Qatar, with 401 cases, after which come Bahrain with 200 cases and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia having just over 100 cases. Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon all have just under 100 cases, making them the most exposed outside of the Gulf.
