Fast growth patterns for Saudi exports, reveals latest Global Trade Forecast report

Tim Reid, Regional Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC MENA, said, "MENA may have experienced some mixed economic fortunes in recent years but today's reports very much support our belief in the long term economic potential of the region. They re-affirm our view that the emerging markets will be key to MENA's trade growth as it seeks to expand its trading corridors."

As the region continues to diversify itself, oil will remain a strong component of its long term trade with the world. The 2011 surge in oil and gas prices underpinned solid growth in the oil producing countries and although oil prices are likely to soften in the near term, we expect to see a renewed upward trend. This will undoubtedly help countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to post faster export growth, averaging 8% a year from 2016 to 2020. Egypt will also rebound and experience sustained export growth to the MENA region, averaging around 8% a year to 2030. Its fastest growth in exports will be to Asia (excluding Japan), which is seen at 11% on average during 2021-30.

Saudi Arabia's trade has been boosted by high world energy prices in the last few years, with exports rising by 45% in 2011 and by an estimated 8% this year. As a result, Saudi Arabia's largest export markets are the world's major economic powers, headed by China and the US, followed by India. Exports to Asia (excluding Japan) will continue to grow more rapidly than those to other regions, growing by almost 9% a year during 2021-30. Imports from India, China, Vietnam and Malaysia and to a lesser extent Turkey, will show the fastest growth in the coming years.

In the UAE, trade performance has been boosted by high world energy prices, which have seen exports growing by over 30% in 2011 and by an estimated 14% in 2012. Japan, India, Korea and China are its main trading partners. Amongst the 23 economies in the study, India was the main trade partner in 2011 and is expected to retain this top position in 2030. Imports from India, China and over time, Vietnam, will show the fastest growth in the coming years. Turkey and Egypt will also figure more strongly as economic links between these countries build.

The political situation in Egypt over the past 18 months has no doubt had an impact on the economy, and after a period of strong growth in trade, export and import growth would have slowed. When political tensions ease, a rebound in exports is expected. India will remain Egypt's main trading partner over the period to 2030. Vietnam and Malaysia will also compete with India and China as the fastest-growing markets for Egypt over the years to 2030. Imports from India and China will grow strongly. Other important suppliers will be Vietnam and Turkey.

According to the Trade Confidence Index published alongside today's reports, businesses in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE are upbeat. Saudi Arabia ranks as the second most confident country surveyed with 58% of businesses anticipating their trade volumes to increase in the next six months, and 36% expecting levels to remain consistent.

The UAE is the world's third most optimistic country with a majority of traders (61%) anticipating growth in their cross-border business over the next six months. 36% expect levels to remain consistent. Optimism among Egyptian traders has jumped dramatically with an incredible 98% expecting trade volumes to grow or at least stay at current levels in the coming months.

In addition to these figures, 54% of UAE importers and exporters believe their need for trade finance will increase in the coming months, and 76% will look to their banks for funding. Similarly, Saudi sellers plan to use export credit insurance and traditional trade finance products such as Letters of Credit to help mitigate their exposure to risk.

The Global Forecast notes that by 2020, HSBC expects that forward-thinking companies worldwide will have exploited multiple trade corridors and partnerships, created effective networked supply chains, and tightened efficiency in their operations as a result. This trend continues through 2021-30, contributing to a stabilizing of trade growth which also reflects the growing maturity of emerging markets.