logo
Saudi Economic and Development Affairs Council reviews Vision 2030 progress, economic outlook

Saudi Economic and Development Affairs Council reviews Vision 2030 progress, economic outlook

Saudi Gazette6 days ago
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Council of Economic and Development Affairs held a virtual meeting to assess the Kingdom's economic performance and track progress on key programs supporting Saudi Vision 2030.
The session began with a review of the July 2025 Economic Report presented by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, offering an in-depth analysis of global economic trends, associated risks, and the performance of the Saudi economy.
The report included forecasts for the second half of 2025 and the coming year.
The Council noted a continued positive trajectory for the Kingdom's economy, marking four consecutive quarters of growth, driven by the resilience of non-oil sectors.
A key highlight was the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reaching its highest level in three months.The Council also discussed the Q1 performance report on Vision 2030 implementation, submitted by the Strategic Management Office, which evaluated progress on executive programs, strategic goals, and the execution status of national and sector-specific strategies.The report reaffirmed ongoing momentum across Vision 2030's three main pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.The meeting reviewed the Q1 public sector performance report presented by the National Center for Performance Measurement (Adaa).The report highlighted improvements in government entity performance, driven by targeted support to ministries and public agencies in achieving their strategic objectives.It also included an evaluation of national strategies and a forward-looking assessment of institutional development efforts.In addition, the Project Management Office briefed the Council on the progress of assigned tasks and decisions from Q2.The report covered execution outcomes, agency compliance, and provided statistics on achievement levels across participating government entities.The Council's agenda included a series of organizational and strategic matters, notably the regulatory arrangements for the Events Committee, updates to the organizational structure of the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and the Asir Region Development Strategy.It also reviewed reports on accelerating capital project procedures, the quarterly executive summary of GDP and national accounts data, and monthly indices for consumer and wholesale prices.The session concluded with the Council issuing the necessary resolutions and recommendations to support continued national progress and institutional performance.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

IMF praises Saudi Arabia's economic resilience
IMF praises Saudi Arabia's economic resilience

Arab News

time3 hours ago

  • Arab News

IMF praises Saudi Arabia's economic resilience

RIYADH: The International Monetary Fund has commended Saudi Arabia for its resilience to global shocks, citing its expanding non-oil sector, contained inflation, and record-low unemployment. In its 2025 Article IV Consultation, the IMF recognized the Kingdom's robust non-oil growth and strong reform momentum, crediting ongoing efforts under Vision 2030 for diversifying the economy amid heightened international uncertainty and declining oil revenues. Saudi Arabia's appraisal comes as neighboring Gulf economies face mixed outlooks amid global tensions. The IMF highlighted the UAE's robust non-oil growth, while Kuwait grapples with fiscal pressures from OPEC+ production cuts and a call for gradual consolidation. Qatar and Oman continue to advance diversification under their respective national visions, focusing on private sector growth and fiscal reforms. Despite external shocks, the region's ample reserves, structural reforms, and strong financial systems are seen as key stabilizing factors. IMF executive directors highlighted the Kingdom's economic progress, noting that 'robust non-oil growth, low inflation, and record-low unemployment' have been achieved through 'appropriate macroeconomic policies, strong buffers, and impressive reform momentum.' The IMF cautioned that fiscal and current account deficits persist, emphasizing the need for continued structural adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability. In 2024, Saudi Arabia's non-oil real gross domestic product expanded by 4.5 percent, driven by growth in the retail, hospitality, and construction sectors. This was offset by a 4.4 percent contraction in oil GDP, as OPEC+ production cuts held crude output at 9 million barrels per day, moderating overall GDP growth to 2 percent. Inflation remained under control, averaging 1.7 percent, while unemployment among Saudi nationals fell to its lowest level on record, with youth and female unemployment rates halving over the past four years. The IMF noted that despite a shift in the current account to a deficit of 0.5 percent of GDP, the Kingdom's fiscal and external buffers remain substantial. The Saudi Central Bank's foreign assets stabilized at $415 billion, covering 187 percent of the IMF's reserve adequacy metric. 'The banking sector remained strong, marked by high capitalization, profitability, and nonperforming loans at their lowest since 2016,' the IMF stated. Looking ahead, the IMF projects the Kingdom's real GDP growth to accelerate to 3.9 percent by 2026, with non-oil growth expected to exceed 3.5 percent. The continued implementation of Vision 2030 projects, combined with government-led infrastructure initiatives, is expected to sustain domestic demand and mitigate external pressures. The IMF stressed that 'pursuing a countercyclical fiscal policy in the near term' is essential to maintain economic stability, given ample fiscal buffers and persistent global uncertainties. Directors of the organization recommended a gradual fiscal consolidation strategy to achieve intergenerational equity, urging Saudi Arabia to advance 'broader tax policy reforms to increase non-oil revenue, wage bill containment, energy subsidy reform, and streamlining of non-essential expenditures.' Directors also encouraged the operationalization of an expenditure-based fiscal rule, enhanced budgetary transparency, and strengthened sovereign asset-liability management frameworks. The IMF welcomed the Kingdom's progress in strengthening its banking sector resilience. Executives commended reforms in banking regulation and supervision, the swift adoption of the Banking Law, and the establishment of a crisis management framework. They also recognized the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority's vigilance in monitoring financial risks and its introduction of a 100 basis points countercyclical capital buffer to support stability. Additionally, directors noted continued progress in developing domestic capital markets to diversify funding sources. Directors emphasized the importance of maintaining reform momentum irrespective of oil price developments. They highlighted improvements in the regulatory and business environment, female labor participation, and governance. Sustained enhancements in small and medium-sized enterprises' access to finance, regional trade integration, and climate resilience were also recognized as key pillars for advancing economic diversification. The IMF affirmed that Saudi Arabia's currency peg to the US dollar remains appropriate, commending improvements in the Kingdom's liquidity management framework. Directors stressed that monetary operations should continue to focus on smoothing short-term liquidity without fueling asset and credit bubbles. IMF directors acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership role in regional stability and its contributions in multilateral forums, including the G20 and the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee. They expressed confidence that the Kingdom's ongoing reforms will further strengthen its economic resilience and global standing.

Ministry launches Non-Profit Precious Metals and Gemstones Association to boost industry
Ministry launches Non-Profit Precious Metals and Gemstones Association to boost industry

Saudi Gazette

time3 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Ministry launches Non-Profit Precious Metals and Gemstones Association to boost industry

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has officially announced the establishment of the Non-Profit Precious Metals and Gemstones Association, aimed at advancing the industry, fostering innovation, and empowering local designers and artisans across the Kingdom. The initiative forms part of the Ministry's broader strategy to strengthen the role of non-profit organizations within the industrial and mining sectors, reflecting its belief in their contribution to economic and social development. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the association's objectives include enhancing local content in precious metals and gemstone products, supporting the creative industries, empowering women and youth, and elevating professional standards among designers through specialized training programs, workshops, and certifications. The new body will provide Saudi artisans and designers with financial and technical assistance, production grants, and opportunities to showcase their work at local and international exhibitions. It also aims to promote sustainability, encourage environmentally responsible practices in the gemstone sector, and build a unified professional community through a digital platform connecting investors and industry integrating designers and craftsmen into key value chains, the association seeks to expand Saudi Arabia's footprint in the global market while contributing to the national GDP.

Saudi report shows 97.7% of businesses have internet access, 57.7% use social media
Saudi report shows 97.7% of businesses have internet access, 57.7% use social media

Saudi Gazette

time4 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi report shows 97.7% of businesses have internet access, 57.7% use social media

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Nearly all establishments in Saudi Arabia (97.7%) are connected to the internet, while 57.7% of those with internet access use social media platforms, according to the 2023 'Nafath' statistics on information and communications technology usage by businesses, released by the General Authority for Statistics. The data shows that 94.1% of establishments have a dedicated business email, and 70.3% maintain a mobile phone specifically for their operations. About 75.5% operate with internal networks and fixed connections, while 91.3% have used government e-services, such as accessing information, downloading and submitting forms, or completing transactions online. Additionally, 73.1% of establishments reported completing government forms electronically, and 65.6% utilized cloud computing services for financial or accounting software applications.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store