According to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, an official report issued by the World Bank estimates the total trade balance surplus of the Arabian Gulf States to reach $172.7 billion by the end of 2006 and $164.9 billion in 2007.
The trade balance surplus of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to remain unchanged at $28.3 billion by the end of 2006 compared with 2005. Yet, the Kingdom's trade balance surplus is expected to withdraw to $23.9 billion in 2007.