IMF warns Gulf economies will not return to pre-war growth soon

The International Monetary Fund expects energy-rich Middle Eastern economies to bounce back, but not in the medium term, the organisation's regional chief said on Thursday, as fighting continued between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis.

The statement comes as the IMF projects a widespread contraction in Gulf economies following months of war that began in Iran and has now spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, with maritime energy traffic still impacted.

The warning comes as officials and experts huddled in Bangkok this week to discuss headwinds facing the global economy, including stubbornly high energy costs and questions over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom.