ME's consumers optimistic about economic future: MasterCard 

(MENAFN) A survey conducted by MasterCard indicates that Middle East consumers' sentiment about the region's future and its financial condition remains high, Arabian Business reported.

According to MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence, the overall consumer confidence stood at an optimistic 83.5, significantly higher than Africa at 76.1, and Asia Pacific at 57.2. The gauge was marginally higher than 83.4 a year earlier.

The index is based on a survey which measures consumer confidence on prevailing expectations in the market over the next six months, based on five economic indicators including Economy, Employment, Stock Market, Regular Income and Quality of Life.

The index showed that Qatar topped the Arab countries at 96.6 followed by Oman at 91.5, Saudi Arabia at 90.9, Egypt at 90.7, the UAE at 86.0 and Lebanon at 44.3.

In Asia/ Pacific, India topped the index for the region at 82.1. In Africa, Morocco and Nigeria were the most optimistic nations in the region at 94.1 and 91.4 respectively.