How much can COVID-19 Damage Economic in MENA Region?

Africa has been partially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. With Egypt confirming the first case in Africa, the spread of the virus in the Middle East and North Africa region is far more serious.

While MENA and the rest of the world rush to contain the infection, it is doubtful that any country other than China has the political will, capability and civil authority required to quarantine more than 50 million citizens.

While Gulf countries have reported isolated cases, Iran is suffering one of the deadliest outbreaks outside China.

From the local outbreak Earths centre in Qom, home of hundreds of Chinese students and even more Chinese workers, the infection toll is growing rapidly and the peak has not been reached. The outbreak in Iran ignited border closings with neighbouring countries, especially considering that Qom is a popular destination for Kuwaiti and Iraqi Shia pilgrims.

Despite SARS being more lethal than COVID-19, it affected a smaller number of people. During 2002-2003 the Chinese economic system was less connected with the rest of the world and the country was in the middle of an economic growth cycle.