lessons from the gulf edmund o sullivan editorial director meed presented at conference on globalization and economic success policy options for africa singapore 7 8 november 2005 middle east is enjoying a period of strong growth may provide some answers to big development questions facing example six nation co operation council gcc which accounts more than half gdp arab world impressive be useful but there still question degree it dependent regional oil income growing rapidly failures in also warning s states particular failure create private sector employment non hydrocarbon or derivative has positive many countries have managed disperse wealth boost living standards this paper focuses experience uae others attempting transition service economy what does tell us about commodity based are producers dangers