The World Bank has maintained strong partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for more than five decades. Governments in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have made use of the knowledge and global development experience the Bank provides through technical assistance programs offered as Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS).
Currently, the Bank’s largest programs cover long-term vision, development planning, and the management of sustainable macroeconomic and fiscal policies. They include business environment reforms, promoting investment through support to skills development, and fostering a dynamic and entrepreneurial small business sector. Improving human capital is key, including giving advice on health, education, and social protection systems, as well as developing programs to tackle climate change and gender, urban development and economic management, trade and competitiveness, governance, transport, energy, land management, and digital development.
