Gulf Research Center

Joint Launch of Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2008 Arabic Version during the 12th Kronberg Middle East Talks

Intercontinental, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

11th May, 2009

Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center on the occasion of the 12th Kronberg Middle East talks of the Bertelsmann Foundation and held in Riyadh with the cooperation of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies launched the Arabic version of the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI).The BTI was translated from English and published in Arabic by the Gulf Research Center. The BTI is a bi-annual global ranking that measures and compares transformation processes worldwide on the basis of detailed country reports. The BTI is unique in the sense that is a qualitative rather than a purely quantitative assessment of how countries have progressed vis-à-vis one another in a number of categories. Speaking at the event that launched the Arabic version, Mr. Sager emphasized that the Gulf Research Center saw in the BTI a valuable tool for looking at transformation processes in the world but particularly in the Middle East where in recent years this transformation has gathered significant speed, especially as far as the GCC States are concerned. He also referred to the fact that the Bertelsmann Transformation Index has been uniquely designed to look at not only the status of political and economic development but more importantly on the management of transition and how well the changes have been integrated into existing systems. As such, the BTI become important as the GCC States themselves begin to look at how to shape and carry forward their impressive growth and development. In addition to the summary findings concerning all regions of the world, the Arabic version also includes all country reports that pertain to the GCC States. For a summary presentation of the report, please click here. The book can be ordered by clicking here.