The SAMENA region has been one of the fastest growing regions of the world, achieving robust growth over the last few years. The combined SAMENA GDP of US$11.3 trillion in 2021 is expected to reach US$14.8 to US$15.8 trillion by 2025-26 (Source: IMF, October 2021).
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The fundamental drivers of this growth remain: a) favourable demographics with young, increasingly educated and highly aspirational populations, especially in South Asia and MENA; b) economic reforms in multiple countries across the region driven by political pressure to create jobs and more inclusive and equal societies; c) huge infrastructure spending planned across MENA and parts of Asia. In addition, there are a growing number of strong, well run and innovative companies lead by world class entrepreneurs in the SAMENA region. With valuations below long-term historical averages, a relative scarcity of risk capital, and businesses and entrepreneurs who have matured in their approach to investors, this may be amongst the best periods for deploying long-term capital in the SAMENA region.