A crossroads for trade between Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Mediterranean Europe, the Gulf countries are characterized by remarkable economic dynamism, which is also a consequence of diversification policies in the non-oil sector. The strong commercial ties with Italy
Water scarcity, arid soils, and desertification have not prevented the countries of the Arabian Peninsula from enhancing their agricultural economies, focusing in particular on high-value-added crops. The growth of gardening in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
The banking system in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula consists of particularly solid institutions that offer a high level of service and are characterized by a high sensitivity to counterparty risk