As Qatar was isolated from its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC members) Wednesday – actions taken by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt include a ban on transport, financial isolation and breaking of diplomatic ties – the focus is now on accommodation at the negotiating table, several bank reports note. With the influential shipping channel Strait of Hormuz hanging in the balance, the official line is that “dialogue is imperative,” but at what cost to the Qatari economy?



