Lubricant production and its supply is widespread in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore understanding the broader picture of economics is crucial for the business to thrive. When we consider the Middle East lubricant market, there are various macroeconomic factors that directly influence the business and the region’s economic trajectory. During the past decades, we have seen the changes that occurred in the lubricant manufacturing industry. Manufacturers and lubricant suppliers have introduced several novel methods in the industry to keep and stay in the trend.
The invention of synthetic and bio-based lubricants has shown us a more practical, economical, and eco-friendly approach to the business. Many lubricant suppliers suggested that synthetic lubricants have many advantages compared to others. Therefore, recently many end users are choosing synthetic lubricants over mineral lubricants. One of the main reasons for the popularity of mineral lubricants is their base oils. Middle East base oil market solely depends on the lubricant market.
On the other hand, macroeconomic factors such as price, GDP, financial situations of the region, government policies, geopolitical tensions, and economic reforms are also a part of the Middle East’s future in the lubrication industry. In this blog, we will learn about the various macroeconomic factors that significantly affect the Middle East’s oil markets.
1. Oil Prices
As we all know, in many Middle East countries, oil is the primary source of their income. Nations like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, completely depend on the oil business to fuel their economy and development. Therefore, ‘price’ is the macroeconomic factor that the lubricant market always centers around.
The price fluctuations hold an important place in the Middle East’s economy. When the prices soar high, the lubricant suppliers in the Middle East countries will get more profit. The rise in oil prices greatly contributes to the nation’s revenue, allowing the government to invest in social development programs, infrastructure projects, and charity events, resulting in the development of the overall nation. The price rise also attracts foreign investment, ensuring increased economic growth and job opportunities.
Just like the price rise gives more developmental economic opportunities to the nation, the price drop negatively affects the nation’s economy. As we mentioned above, most of the Middle Eastern countries are completely depending on the oil business to keep the economy stable. Therefore, the downfall in oil prices decreased revenue, government budget deficits, and increased unemployment rates.
Businesses that are closely connected with the oil industry such as transportation, energy, and manufacturing, need to be adapted to the price fluctuations to thrive in the business world.
2. GDP & Budget
The recent changes in the oil industry are very significant and profitable. The introduction of synthetic and bio-based oils helped the oil industry to become more efficient and environmentally sustainable. Even though many end users are interested in synthetic lubricants, the popularity of mineral-based lubricants never faded.
Almost 95 percent of mineral-based lubricants are still in high demand and become a major part of the business. The revenue generated from oil exports holds a major portion of their GDP. Therefore, the relationship between global GDP and oil business is quite important and multi-faceted.
The growth in global GDP often correlates with increased energy consumption. When we consider emerging economies, they are constantly exposed to industrialization and infrastructure projects. Therefore, when the GDP expands, the oil demand also increases. Because, they are the main source of energy for transportation, manufacturing, and other industries.
Many industrial experts and lubricant suppliers stated that the global GDP and base oil businesses are closely interlinked with each other. Every year, the Middle East countries are witnessing constant growth in their business due to the increased consumption of lubricants. Therefore, to have a stable economy, growth in global GDP is a must for Middle East countries. If the GDP is not expanding, then the base oil and lubricant market will be in a difficult state.
3. Cost Management
Price fluctuations and economic instability are inevitable in the business world. Therefore managing costs is an unavoidable macroeconomic factor in the oil industry. Cost management in the oil business includes a variety of factors such as extraction, refining, and distribution.
For example, the most important feedstock of base oils is crude oils. Therefore, when the price of crude oil increases in the market, the lubricant manufacturers increase the price of base oils for profit. Subsequently, the lubricant suppliers also increase both the wholesale and retail prices of the lubricants. The same applies when the crude oil price decreases. However, when the crude price falls, the feedstock price also decreases. Therefore, managing the operating costs becomes crucial for the profit.
Exploration, the primary stage of oil extraction, needs a lot of machinery, energy, and labour. The extraction process also needs modern technology and equipment to minimize the operating costs and maximize the output. In this stage, we need to focus on the efficient utilization of energy resources and reducing environmental impact. The refining and distribution phases also play a major part in cost management. The technologies, labour charges, transportation charges, and equipment charges need to be considered and minimized to attain better profit even in the crude oil rate fall.
But, compared to other countries these factors are quite easy to manage in Middle East countries. The tax-free environment, low labour costs, and cheap energy are great help for lubricant suppliers. Therefore, the Middle East has an upper hand over many other oil-producing countries.
3. Government Policies and Regulations
For a sustainable and profitable business, one needs to follow the rules and regulations posed by the government. The governments in the Middle East countries have a strong influence over their economies through various policies and regulations. From investment policies to export regulations, the rules change from one to another for spurring economic growth. Historically, many countries have established stringent regulations to promote local businesses and hinder foreign participation. The Middle East is not an exception.
The investment policies of the Middle East mostly cover foreign investment, taxation, and ownership rights. They also regulate the involvement of state-owned enterprises and joint ventures with international companies in the oil industry.
Moreover, environmental regulations, export regulations, subsidies, and price controls also have their standards and applicable fields. In environmental regulations, the government imposes rules for emissions, choice of technologies, waste management, and manufacturing methods. The environmental regulations are for eco-friendly oil production.
The export regulations mostly cover the export taxes, tariffs, and restrictions on the destinations to which oil can be exported. To control local fuel prices and ensure affordability, the Middle East government has subsidies and price control laws. These policies have a direct impact on government budgets and domestic consumption patterns.
3. Geopolitical Tension and Stability
The geopolitical tensions and instability have detrimental effects on local businesses. Let alone local business, the consequences of geopolitical tensions greatly affect the oil industry all over the world. In oil production, a major part is held by the Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran. So, internal conflicts, tensions, and instability lead to supply disruptions in oil producing regions. The conflicts and tensions may interrupt the production, transportation, and distribution processes, resulting in the downfall of the lubricant business.
Also, geopolitical issues can reduce the investor’s confidence in investing in the oil industry of those regions. With the lack of surety in oil outcomes and government, the investors will pull back their investments from the respective oil companies. Without proper investment, the lubricant manufacturers and lubricant suppliers will be at great risk.
The reduced oil production leads to the increase of oil prices in the global market. This rise will adversely affect consumers and other business people who are closely connected with the oil industry such as production, transportation, and other manufacturing businesses.
To put it simply, the geopolitical conflicts in Middle East countries not only affect the local markets, but they have far-reaching consequences like impacting global oil markets.
3. Diversification Efforts and Economic Reforms
The Middle East countries are known for their oil industry. This in turn results in the country being vulnerable in the economy during oil fluctuations. But, in recent years, they are focusing more on the diversification of businesses for their economic growth. Projects including Saudi Vision 2030 and U.A.E Vision 2021 aim to foster economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and innovation. They are trying to get revenue from other industries like tourism, manufacturing, finance, and technology. It is said that the diversification can ensure a more stable economy.
The economic reforms play a vital role in attracting foreign investment and stimulating economic growth. Attaining economic reformation by improving governance, enhancing transparency, and promoting more private sector participation can make the diversification process easier. Relying on businesses other than the oil market also shows positive changes in the government’s budget. Engaging in other businesses reduces the government’s dependency on the oil market. This will also help to reduce many oil market expenditures. It can also help the country to gain global recognition by being a part of different international businesses. It improves the country’s infrastructure and offers more business ideas and opportunities.
For example, some Middle East countries have already started investing in renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power. This will reduce the oil dependency and also promote the exportation of renewable energy technologies and expertise.
In short, the macroeconomic factors that affect the Middle East oil industry vary from one to another. From price fluctuations to diversification efforts, each factor has its impact on the industry. In the coming years also we will witness drastic changes in the oil market. The inadequacy in oil production rate and distribution rate will likely decrease, and the lubricant manufacturers will mainly focus on reducing the operational charges. This would ensure affordability for customers and profit for lubricant manufacturers and lubricant suppliers.
Compared to other countries, the Middle East holds more advantages in the oil industry. Exchange rate fluctuations have a lesser impact on the Middle East. Even when Middle Eastern currencies are exposed to exchange rate shifts, they rarely experience significant devaluation compared to other oil-producing markets. Throughout previous economic downturns, Middle Eastern countries have demonstrated resilience against currency devaluation. These characteristics set the Middle East apart in the constantly evolving oil industry.
Therefore, to be stable in the oil business, one needs to focus and assess all the macroeconomic factors. By staying informed, adapting to changes, and imposing innovative technologies, businesses can position themselves for success in the Middle East oil market.
