MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2017 / Following the drop of oil prices in June 2014 (a barrel of oil used to trade for $115, today, it's worth $42), The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arabic Emirates (UAE) – began forming a new, oil export independent, economic system. Q Smart Limited, a leading broker of CFDs, describes the investment opportunities in the Middle East and expands on the recent improvements in the region. While the reliance on oil exports is still a major issue, the results of the efforts made to shift the economy from public to private sector speak for themselves.

In Bahrain and UAE, a relatively small percent of GDP is being generated by oil exports (24% and 34% accordingly). In fact, the only countries that generate over fifty percent of their GDP from oil exports are Oman and Kuwait (56% and 63% accordingly), and these numbers are steadily decreasing. Hisham Farouk, the CEO of Grand Thornton in the UAE, notes: "From 2020, and after a period of transition during which the region restructures its old economic model, the Gulf will emerge stronger than ever with diversified, efficient economies becoming magnets for investment and new ideas - so influencing a global shift towards the region."

According to Q Smart Limited, the positive shift is tied to the progressing business-friendly environment. Lead by Saudi Arabia and UAE, the GCC countries keep attracting outside investment. In its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia aims to increase none-oil revenue from SAR 163 million to SAR 1 trillion by 2030. The fact that GDP contribution from SMEs will be increased by 75% during this period makes it particularly interesting for outside investors.

UAE has broken into the top 10 of World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report, which shatters all the uncertainty and skepticism about doing business in the region. With the introduction of new policies and laws at the end of 2016, UAE has substantially increased business safety, thereby encouraging banks and business owners to discuss their financial relationships.

With paramount native talent and demographic diversity, over fifty percent of the population is under the age of 25 and determined to achieve international stature, particularly in the technology sector. According to Forbes, the Arab countries have the highest video consumption per capita in the world, followed by some of the most active smartphone and social media usage on the planet. This amount of exposure to the internet and technology has sprung a wave of entrepreneurial activities among the younger population, enhancing the goal of an oil-export independent economy.