Sebastian Castelier

Sebastian Castelier is a journalist who focuses on the Gulf. He contributes to several Middle Eastern and international media outlets. On Twitter: @SCastelier

Gulf | Jun 17, 2023

Oil leaves invisible footprint on Gulf's non-oil economies

Touted progress in diversifying Gulf economies beyond the fossil fuel rent comes with a caveat. Oil and gas revenues indirectly propel large chunks of the non-oil economy through public expenditures such as wages, subsidies and infrastructure spending.

Gulf | May 16, 2023

Petrochemicals take center stage in Gulf’s new oil playbook

Building on experience gained from decades of exporting low value crude oil that fueled the global economy, Gulf countries beef up production capacities of higher value petroleum products to bring a greater chunk of the oil’s value chain closer to home.

This picture shows fuel trucks parked near silos at the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea city of Jeddah, Nov. 24, 2020.

Gulf | Apr 9, 2023

Saudi Arabia will mine minerals, but can it extract maximum added value?

The kingdom wants to leverage its untapped mineral deposits to boost non-oil exports and incentivize local manufacturers to turn raw materials into high-value products.

Gulf | Jan 31, 2023

Analysis

Gulf logistics ambitions skirt net-zero carbon emissions goals

The Gulf states are expanding their transportation networks and logistics hubs, which would seem to threaten their stated goals reducing carbon emissions.

A picture take on Sept. 14, 2017 shows an Airbus A380 of Emirates landing at the tarmac at Dubai's International Airport.

Gulf | Dec 12, 2022

Gulf currencies pegged to dollar keep migrant workers’ families afloat

While the strong dollar has played in favor of Gulf migrant workers, they are not exempt from wage increases falling behind the inflation rate.

An Indian customer (L) at a foreign exchange outlet changes Indian rupees in Bangalore on August 24, 2013.

Gulf | Oct 6, 2022

Gulf's mid-year surpluses put allocation in question

Flushed with cash from a post-pandemic oil boom, Gulf states once again face a choice: lifting up their citizenries’ short-term contentment or fiscal restructuring and investing in long-term productive assets.

Employees of Aramco oil company work in Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing plant on Sept. 20, 2019.

Gulf | Jun 8, 2022

Gulf states’ oil wealth ripples throughout rural Sudan

Across Africa, remittances-fueled economic development stands as an unrivaled alternative to the throes of unemployment and political instability.

Kenyan fisherman Enos Awele Ajuoga takes his nets out of Lake Victoria’s water every morning but catches have reduced as unsustainable fishing practices and water pollution by wastewater, agro-pesticides and fertilizers have decimated fish stocks.

Gulf | May 25, 2022

Can urban transport reform put brakes on Gulf's car centric culture?

Modern Gulf cities built around car dependency face a net-zero pledges test. Plans to retrofit cities and weave in sustainable mobility are in the pipeline, but the car is still king.

Gulf | Apr 22, 2022

Oman on cusp of introducing personal income tax

Income tax is now in the pipeline in Oman, and other nations in the Gulf, one of the world’s largest bastions of tax-free wages, are watching with interest.

Gulf | Mar 28, 2022

Oman's fiscal outlook improves as oil prices surge

Efforts to put public finances on a healthy footing and tackle chronic budget deficits have started to pay off, facilitated by a sharp increase in oil prices, Oman’s main export.

Sebastian Castelier

Oil leaves invisible footprint on Gulf's non-oil economies

Petrochemicals take center stage in Gulf’s new oil playbook

Saudi Arabia will mine minerals, but can it extract maximum added value?

Gulf logistics ambitions skirt net-zero carbon emissions goals

Gulf currencies pegged to dollar keep migrant workers’ families afloat

Gulf's mid-year surpluses put allocation in question

Gulf states’ oil wealth ripples throughout rural Sudan

Can urban transport reform put brakes on Gulf's car centric culture?

Oman on cusp of introducing personal income tax

Oman's fiscal outlook improves as oil prices surge

Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides

Sebastian Castelier

Oil leaves invisible footprint on Gulf's non-oil economies

Petrochemicals take center stage in Gulf’s new oil playbook

Saudi Arabia will mine minerals, but can it extract maximum added value?

Gulf logistics ambitions skirt net-zero carbon emissions goals

Gulf currencies pegged to dollar keep migrant workers’ families afloat

Gulf's mid-year surpluses put allocation in question

Gulf states’ oil wealth ripples throughout rural Sudan

Can urban transport reform put brakes on Gulf's car centric culture?

Oman on cusp of introducing personal income tax

Oman's fiscal outlook improves as oil prices surge

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Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides