IMF Downgrades 2026 GDP Forecasts for Gulf Oil Producers (legrandcontinent.eu)

• IMF projects near-zero growth for GCC countries in 2026
• Qatar faces 9% GDP contraction
• Infrastructure bypasses for Hormuz offer limited relief

"The IMF has drastically slashed 2026 growth projections for the six GCC nations. Qatar faces a potential GDP contraction of nearly 9%, marking a stark reversal from previous optimistic estimates. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE possess strategic pipeline infrastructure—such as the East-West pipeline and the Habshan-Fujaïrah line—to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, they are not immune to the cooling economic outlook. These revisions underscore the high sensitivity of regional financial resilience to global hydrocarbon market shifts and logistical chokepoints."