Strong growth in the Middle East is prompting the region's rulers to rethink foreign ownership laws, enhance transparency and introduce regulatory controls, as $1.5 trillion (€1.2 trillion) of foreign investments is tabled to enter the Gulf over the next few years.

At a time where Western banks are increasingly looking to the Middle East for growth opportunities as business in Europe and America flounders, a new report commissioned by London-based public relations firm Penrose Financial, shows the region will not miss its opportunity to become a global financial hub although its faces some significant hurdles.