Oman has been placed first among Arab countries in terms of ability to face the challenges of the global financial crisis, according to London-based Economist Intelligence Unit.

The report covered 165 countries and reviewed their exposure to social risks with countries scoring ‘zero’ facing no risk and 10 the highest degree of risk.  Norway came first (165), Denmark second (164), Canada third (163), Sweden fourth (162). Britain ranked 132nd and the United States 109th.

EIU put the Sultanate in the 149th place with 3.9 points, followed by the UAE and Qatar at 142nd with 4.1 points. Kuwait came 98th, Saudi Arabia 82nd and 
Egypt 105th. 
The report titled ‘Manning the barricades’ warned against grave social unrest from the global recession in the  coming two years.