KUWAIT CITY: Faced with heavy losses from low oil prices, Gulf states have embarked on belt-tightening measures to cut spending and boost non-crude revenues, but analysts warn much more needs to be done.

After more than a decade of abundant surpluses thanks to high oil prices, the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are projected to post a combined record budgetary shortfall of $180 billion in 2015 and the drought is expected to continue for years.

Some countries have already cut subsidies, while others are considering measures to reduce their spending.

IMF Chief Christine Lagarde told GCC finance ministers in Qatar this month that “global energy prices could remain low for years” and urged them to adjust their budgets.

Lagarde warned that the GCC, which has relied on energy income for 90 per cent of their revenues, should reduce dependence on oil and gas.

In 2014, GCC states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — posted a small surplus of $24bn, down from $182bn the previous year, according to IMF figures.

Each of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia ended 2014 in the red for the first time since the global financial crisis in 2009.

World oil prices have dropped by more than 50pc since June 2014 and the IMF has projected that it will result in a $275bn drop in GCC revenues this year.

‘Much larger’ problem this time

But having amassed a wealth of around $2.7 trillion over the past decade, the IMF advised GCC states to take a gradual approach to implementing reforms and diversifying the economy.

Although the measures may not be easy to enforce in countries that have long offered generous welfare systems, analysts believe this time fiscal consolidation, diversification and reforms must be deeper, long-term and sustainable.

“The magnitude of the problem is much larger this time because subsidies and salaries have immensely increased in the past few years — together they form 90pc of current expenditure,” said the head of economic research at Kuwait Financial Center (Markaz), M.R. Raghu.

“They cannot roll back on salaries because this is too sensitive,” Raghu told AFP.

Spending in Gulf states, mostly on salaries and subsidies, almost doubled to $550bn between 2008 and 2013, according to IMF statistics.

The six nations have a population of 50 million, half of them foreigners, and pump around 18m bpd.

The steep rise in expenditures greatly increased the breakeven price for oil, to $106 a barrel in the case of Saudi Arabia from under $70 a few years ago. It is higher for Bahrain and Oman.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015