Specialized economic and foreign policy advisory.

The global macro environment gets more complex by the day. Fraying historical alliances, the emergence of new power players, technology trends, global health crises, trade protectionism, climate change, ideological conflicts, or the energy transition stand to fundamentally alter the global landscape. Understanding these trends and their consequences is a strategic imperative for national leadership, and an opportunity for the private sector.

Azal Advisors operates across two verticals: specialized advisory to Center of Government decision-makers in the Gulf on economic and foreign policy affairs; and customized research services to investors considering investments in Gulf markets or to commodity traders impacted by policy and political developments in the Gulf.

Areas of Expertise

Policy Advice Azal Advisors

POLICY RESEARCH

We conduct research on economic, energy and security policy topics to help our clients navigate uncertainty and meet their strategic objectives.

SINO-GULF COOPERATION Azal Advisors

SINO-GULF COOPERATION

We conduct due diligence for G2G investment opportunities, leveraging our extensive access to the Chinese business and SOE community in China and the Gulf.
FORESIGHT Azal Advisors

FORESIGHT

Through the Information and Intelligence branch of our partner Othrys, we have access to privileged insights which boosts our unique foresight capabilities.

Sample of advisors

Dr Eckart Woertz

Food & energy security

John Tesh

National risk & resilience

Dr Jonathan Fulton

Sino-Gulf relations

Dr Jean Francois Seznec

Economic & Industrial Policy

Mohamed Elbashir

Global internet governance

Michael Stephens

Europe-Gulf relations

David Rundell

Saudi - US relations

Abdulrahman Eryani

Water & environment

Adel Bakawan

EU - Turkey / Iraq relations

Kate Dourian

Energy markets

Dr Steffen Hertog

GCC economics and political economy

Dr Izak Atiyas

Economics & industrial policy

Joshua Meltzer

Digital trade and international trade law

Dr Paul J. Sullivan

Energy and Environmental Security

Raiman Al-Hamdani

Yemen stabilisation and development

Dr Martin Keulertz

Food & water security

Stephen A. Seche

Yemen and Yemen – US relations

Dr Giacomo Luciani

Global energy governance

Dr Omar Al-Ubaydli

GCC countries' economics expert

Sean Carroll

International development

Bruce Mann

National risk & resilience

Dr Mohammed Al-Sudairi

Sino-Gulf relations

Dr Bernard Haykel

Arab identity, Islam and social history of the GCC
Our subject matter experts include academics from prominent universities and research institutes, think-tankers, retired government officials, IGO and NGO members, technology specialists and executives in the private sector. All advisors have signed a framework agreement with us and are bound by strict confidentiality rules.

Insights

A multilateral collateralized digital currency as an instrument of influence for oil-exporting states

A multilateral collateralized digital currency as an instrument of influence for oil-exporting states

Gulf States are in the front line of the strategic competition between China and the United States. The former seeks to secure a steady supply of oil while extending its economic and technology influence. The latter continues to play a dominant role in enabling the defence of Gulf States while leveraging this position to keep them from embracing China. This situation is also reflected in the recurring topic of the dedollarization of global oil-trade and China’s desire to settle oil-purchases in its own currency, the Renminbi, which for a variety of reasons does not yet serve the interests of Gulf-based oil-exporters. This report argues that a multilateral and oil-collateralized digital currency (MCDC) could provide like-minded Gulf oil-exporters with a tool of partial monetary policy independence and enhanced global influence, ultimately enabling them to carve a more independent policy that serves their own interest rather than the one of either of the two super-powers.

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How can GCC countries  achieve equilibrium in the  China-India competition?

How can GCC countries achieve equilibrium in the China-India competition?

The competition between China and India continues to grow, driven by territorial disputes and China’s growing strategic dominance and assertiveness. Both countries are also increasing their demand for energy and raw materials to fuel their economic growth. In our latest report, Dr Naranayappa Janardhan (Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy) and Nicolas Dunais (Azal Advisors) argue that Gulf policymakers should pursue a balanced relationship with China and India, avoid “picking sides”, and where possible, encourage them to cooperate rather than compete in the commercial and security realms.

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Nudging GCC citizens to sustainability: the imperatives of cultural awareness & local knowledge

Nudging GCC citizens to sustainability: the imperatives of cultural awareness & local knowledge

Many GCC governments have established or are in the process of establishing behavioural economics (“nudge”) units as an additional instrument of policymaking, with the support of Western experts. With sustainability considerations becoming more central in the policy development process, nudging has a key role to play in effectively changing citizen behaviour. Yet local specificities mean that replicating models which have worked abroad is fraught with risk: social habits among GCC citizens can result in nudge campaigns having the opposite effects to the ones intended. In this context, it is essential to leverage local expertise to ensure campaigns are effectively delivered and government efficiency is maximized.

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