High Expectations Biggest Challenge Post-Arab Spring-BG Group

The main challenge facing companies operating in countries affected by the Arab Spring is the need to manage heightened expectations of social improvement, Chris Finlayson, vice president of BG Group PLC (BG.LN) said at a conference in Aberdeen Tuesday.

"The major challenge that will be faced by operators [in the region] is the heightened expectations that go with the new political freedoms," Finlayson said. "There are going to be expectations that are going to be very hard to meet," he added.

BG Group operates in Egypt and Tunisia, the first two countries to overthrow their governments during the Arab Spring this year. The company is the largest producer of gas in Tunisia and is responsible for over 35% of all gas produced in Egypt, according to information on the company's website.