Pakistan, Oct. 16 -- The IMF has poured cold water on hopes of a swift economic recovery in the Gulf, warning that the region may struggle for years to regain its pre-war growth momentum. Speaking in Bangkok on Thursday, regional director Jihad Azour pointed to the damage inflicted on infrastructure and economic activity. Saudi Arabia's economy is projected to shrink by 3.3 per cent this year, Qatar's by a staggering 15.6 per cent and the UAE's by 3.9 per cent. For countries that have spent decades building their reputation as havens of prosperity in a troubled neighbourhood, these figures make for an uncomfortable read.

The latest warning comes as renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi energy installations and continued disruptions to maritime...