\n\tRIYADH: Kuwait\u2019s non-oil private sector returned to growth in July, with the Purchasing Managers\u2019 Index rising to 50.8 from 46.4, while Egypt\u2019s PMI remained in\u00a0contraction territory for a seventh consecutive month.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tThe latest S&P Global PMI surveys showed Kuwait\u2019s headline reading<\/a> moving back above the neutral 50-point threshold for the first time in five months, supported by the resumption of air travel following the reopening of the country\u2019s airspace, which boosted output and new orders.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tKuwait\u2019s improving business conditions align with a broader economic recovery.<\/p>\n \n\tThe International Monetary Fund expects the country\u2019s economy to grow by 3.8 percent<\/a> in 2026, supported by the unwinding of OPEC+ production cuts and continued non-oil growth, while public investment and structural reforms are expected to further strengthen private sector activity over the medium term.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tAndrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: \u201cA period of relative calm in late June and early July and a resumption of air travel led to a return to growth in Kuwait\u2019s non-oil private sector at the start of the third quarter of the year, and renewed optimism in the future.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cRates of growth and business confidence remained below those seen immediately prior to the start of the war, however.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tHe added: \u201cIt remains to be seen whether these improved trends can be sustained into August, given the renewed hostilities seen in recent weeks.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tEgypt remains under pressure\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tEgypt\u2019s PMI<\/a> also improved from June\u2019s 41-month low of 46 to reach\u00a046.8, but the reading was still below the neutral 50-point threshold, signaling a continued deterioration in non-oil business conditions, according to the reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n