Economy

On the fringes of the Arab Coordination Group's 19th head meeting in Vienna, Austria, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maaden Bio, held a strategic discussion with the Islamic Development Bank Group President, Dr. Muhammed Al-Jasser. This encounter was aimed at fostering a stronger partnership between the two entities.Key topics on the agenda included enhancing developmental and economic collaboration with...

Since taking the helm on June 21, 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been the architect of an ambitious economic overhaul, catapulting the Saudi Arabian economy to the forefront of the G20's fastest-growing nations.As the chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, the Crown Prince has been instrumental in pioneering initiatives such as the initial public offering...

Saudi Arabia is exploring new markets and considering stepping away from the longstanding practice of trading oil exclusively in U.S. dollars. This significant shift could undermine the dollar's premier status in the global oil market, according to insights from the Atlantic Council.The stability of the U.S. dollar as the primary currency for international trade and finance could be jeopardized if...

Spanning over 14 centuries, Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in Islamic pilgrimage has drawn countless faithful to its revered cities of Makkah and Medina. The yearly Hajj and the continuous Umrah pilgrimages are not just spiritual journeys but are also instrumental to the nation's economic vitality.The influx of pilgrims translates to an impressive financial boost, with religious tourism injecting approximately $12...

In the month of May, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintained a consistent inflation rate of 1.6%, marking the third consecutive month at this level. This persistency in the inflation figures was primarily due to the rising costs of housing rents.The nation saw a significant 10.5% escalation in housing rents compared to the previous year. This increase was propelled by...

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently contributed to the third Ministerial Meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) of the Trade Preferential System among the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, which took place in Istanbul, Türkiye.Leading the Saudi delegation was Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, serving as the Deputy Governor of the General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT) for...

Saudi Arabia has announced an ambitious plan to enhance its debt capital markets, which includes potential tax relaxations aimed at making corporate bonds more attractive to international investors.The Capital Market Authority is contemplating the removal of a 5 percent withholding tax on interest payments, which is currently seen as a deterrent to potential investors, as detailed in a report that...

On the 12th of June, 2024, the Group of Twenty (G20) reported a modest rise in collective gross domestic product (GDP), increasing by 0.9% from the previous quarter, marking a slight improvement over the 0.7% growth seen earlier.Leading this economic upswing were China and India, who, along with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Indonesia, surpassed the overall G20 growth rate....

The longstanding pact that established the U.S. dollar as the global currency for crude oil transactions, known as the petrodollar system, has recently concluded. This system, which has been a cornerstone of international economic relations for half a century, was initiated in the 1970s following the United States' departure from the gold standard. The deal struck between the United States...

Riyadh Witnesses a Rise in Expatriate Remittances by 14 Percent In April, expatriate remittances in Saudi Arabia experienced a notable 14 percent year-on-year surge, with figures reaching SR11.35 billion (approximately $3.03 billion), based on the most recent statistics. Simultaneously, remittance outflows from Saudi citizens, which represent a significant 30 percent of the overall personal transfers, recorded a substantial 30 percent...

Financial commentator Andrei Jikh discusses the impending transformation of the international economy with the upcoming dissolution of the longstanding petrodollar arrangement between Saudi Arabia and the United States, set to expire on June 9, 2024. This agreement, which has been the cornerstone of the global financial system for 75 years, positioned the US dollar as the primary reserve currency, thereby...

The travel and tourism industry in Saudi Arabia has seen a remarkable expansion, growing by over 32 percent in 2023, and injecting a historic SR444.3 billion (approximately $118.4 billion) into the nation's economy according to recent findings.A report from the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2024 Economic Impact Research showcased the Kingdom’s significant contribution to GDP, job creation, and increased...

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is poised for an economic resurgence, with forecasts indicating a growth of 2.8 percent in 2024 and a further acceleration to 4.7 percent in 2025. This optimistic scenario is largely attributed to the expected expansion in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. A combination of increased...

The economic landscape of Saudi Arabia experienced a contraction in the first quarter as the real gross domestic product (GDP) witnessed a 1.7% reduction compared to the previous year. This downturn, as reported by preliminary government data on a recent Sunday, was primarily due to persistent challenges in the oil sector.Following a 3.7% GDP contraction in the last quarter of...

According to a release of preliminary data by the Saudi government, the nation's real gross domestic product (GDP) saw a reduction of 1.7% compared to the same period in the previous year. This downturn, noted in the first quarter, is attributed to the persistent slump in oil sector activities, which continues to dampen the country's economic momentum.Following a 3.7% GDP...

The latest figures from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) indicate a complex yet promising economic situation in Saudi Arabia for the first quarter of 2024. The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has experienced a slight decline of 1.7% on an annual basis, while showing an encouraging seasonally adjusted increase of 1.4% from the previous quarter. Scrutinizing the details of...

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's real gross domestic product (GDP) witnessed an uplift of 1.4 percent in the opening quarter of the year, outperforming the numbers from the previous quarter, as per the latest governmental figures.Statistics released by the General Authority for Statistics indicate that the first quarter saw a 0.9 percent boost in the non-oil sector activities over the...

In April, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed a modest upswing in consumer expenditure through point of sale (POS) transactions, amounting to approximately SR53 billion ($14 billion), marking a 3 percent year-on-year increase, according to the most recent figures.The data, disseminated by the Saudi Central Bank, indicates that a notable share of POS transactions, around 30 percent or SR15.83 billion,...

In a strategic move to bolster its economy, Saudi Arabia is on the verge of securing over $11.2 billion through the divestment of stakes in its most prized asset, the petroleum behemoth Aramco. This influx of capital is a major step in the kingdom's ambitious agenda to broaden its economic landscape, stretching beyond its traditional oil-reliant roots.The nation, under the...

The National Labor Observatory (NLO) recently unveiled a comprehensive analysis of the Saudi Arabian labor market, specifically focusing on the private sector's workforce dynamics for the month of May 2024. The document provides a snapshot of the number of employees, with distinctions between Saudi and non-Saudi workers, segmented by gender, as well as insights into the net increase in Saudi...

In a recent visit to Vienna, Faisal Al-Ibrahim, the Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, held a series of important discussions with international leaders. These talks were aimed at fostering cooperation on key economic and sustainability issues.Al-Ibrahim's dialogue with Ghada Waly, the Executive Director of the UN Office in Vienna, centered on the partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United...

The Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, recently held talks with the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly. The engagement took place in Vienna, where they explored potential areas of collaboration, specifically in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other shared interests. Present at the discussions was Saudi Arabia's Ambassador...

The Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, recently held a key meeting with the Director General of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Dr. Abdulhameed Abdulhamid Al Khalifah, during his formal trip to the Republic of Austria.Throughout their discussion, they explored various topics of shared importance and examined the wide array of initiatives undertaken by...

Riyadh Witnesses a 20.4% Surge in SME Funding to $73.5 BillionAs the last quarter of 2023 came to a close, the financial backing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within Saudi Arabia experienced a notable increase of 20.4 percent from the previous year, reaching an impressive $73.5 billion according to the latest data.The Kingdom's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority,...

Moody’s, a prominent global credit rating agency, has recently reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's 'A1' rating, indicating a positive economic forecast. This assessment serves as a testament to the strides the Kingdom has made in its reform initiatives, which commenced in 2016.The agency's endorsement highlights the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia's macroeconomic strategies and its fiscal discipline. These factors contribute to the Kingdom's...

At the scenic Italian locale of Stresa, Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, took part in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' third assembly. The conference spanned from the 23rd to the 25th of May, 2024, and was chaired by Italy.Minister Al-Jadaan actively participated in four critical dialogue sessions, which delved into the current state of...

Moody's Investors Service has sustained Saudi Arabia's A1 credit rating with a positive outlook. This affirmation reflects the country's large and affluent economy, bolstered by significant hydrocarbon reserves, effective policies, and a robust government financial position inclusive of substantial foreign reserves.Despite this positive assessment, Saudi Arabia remains vulnerable to periodic downturns in oil demand and pricing. The country also faces...

Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports increase for the second consecutive month in March, hitting a nine-month high, according to Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) data released on Monday.Significance of the DataAs the global leader in crude oil exports, Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in the international energy market.Insiders privy to the sector's developments suggest that Saudi Arabia, along with...

Saudi Arabian and Chinese dignitaries are convening in Beijing for pivotal discussions aimed at propelling international economic expansion. The gatherings, scheduled for May 20-21, are bringing together a host of significant figures including Saudi Arabia's Minister of Finance, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and the newly appointed Vice Minister of Finance, Abdulmuhsen Al-Khalaf, alongside other prominent officials from Saudi financial institutions.Representatives from several...

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) took a prominent role in the 92nd regular meeting of operations directors from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) institutions, with its CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad and Deputy CEO Eng. Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Kahtani in attendance. The gathering, held under the auspices of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), brought together key...