"The World Bank forecast 2010 growth of 4 percent for the Middle East and North Africa region and said a projected oil price of $63 a barrel next year was sufficient to avoid a major crisis in oil producing states.... [According to its 2009 Economic Developments and Prospects report,] Qatar would be a stand-out performer in the area, enjoying growth of 18.2 percent in 2009 and 16.2 percent in 2010 as major liquid natural gas (LNG) plants come on-stream, while Kuwait was seen contracting this year by 1.2 percent and Saudi Arabia by 0.9 percent...." [Reuters (10/3)/Factiva]

AFP adds that "...the World Bank said that oil prices in 2009 were unlikely to be significantly affected by the factors that had contributed to high prices before mid-2008.... 'Global demand is likely to remain low,' said the report..." [Agence France Presse (10/3)/Factiva]

Dow Jones reports that "...the region faces notable headwinds through next year, the World Bank said.... Growth in the region should slow to around 2.2 percent this year after the 6.1 percent expansion in 2008... Fiscal consolidation should involve cutting expensive but inefficient spending programs such as universal food subsidies, which don't target the neediest, the World Bank said...." [Dow Jones (10/3)/Factiva]