Development strategies of the Gulf States: ambitions, challenges, and a look to the future

Background. The relevance of this study is determined by the fact that strategic management in the field of socio‑economic development is an important element of modern state policy in the context of a complex economic situation and instability. The results of this study may have practical significance for the federal level of public policy in a modern state and for the regional level of public administration in determining strategic goals in the field of socio‑economic development of society. The relevance of the topic is also determined primarily by the requirements of the current legislation in the field of strategic planning and forecasting and disclosure of information on the activities of government bodies, as well as the growing number of scientific publications devoted to the problems and areas of strategic planning. The importance of developing long‑term development strategies is also evidenced by numerous studies by foreign authors devoted to this topic. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify the most important areas and features of strategic planning for socio‑economic development in the countries of the East using the example of the Persian Gulf countries, and to highlight on this basis the current management problems in this area and practical recommendations. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is a systems approach to public administration. The theoretical underpinning of this research is the work of Russian and international scholars in the field of strategic planning in the Persian Gulf countries. The primary research method is a comparative analysis of strategic planning for socio‑economic development in foreign Gulf states based on official documents, primarily the development strategies of the Gulf countries published by governments in open sources online, as well as UN statistical data on the socio‑economic development of countries (United Nations Trade and Development Country Profile). Results. The study explores the specifics and challenges of strategic planning for socioeconomic development in the Persian Gulf states, as well as current public policy trends in these countries. The author identified the most successful approaches that promote sustainable economic development in the context of resource dependence, as well as potential obstacles and risks to this policy, which are typical for states seeking to overcome their dependence on oil and gas revenues. These potential risks and obstacles can be taken into account when formulating development strategy. Practical implications. The scope of this study is the area of strategic planning for the socioeconomic development of a modern state. For a country with significant oil and gas revenues but struggling to overcome its dependence on oil and gas, these development factors and risks also appear significant. The study’s final practical recommendations include taking the identified factors and risks into account when formulating socioeconomic development strategies and programs. More detailed and substantiated practical recommendations for this area of Russian public policy could be the focus of a new study.