Saudi Arabia Economy Grew 3.9% In Q1 Boosted by Non-oil Activities

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. (AFP)
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Economy Grew 3.9% In Q1 Boosted by Non-oil Activities

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. (AFP)
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia's economy grew by 3.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to initial government estimates of real gross domestic product published on Sunday.

Non-oil activities grew by 5.8% in the first quarter from a year prior, the General Authority for Statistics said, citing flash estimates, while oil activities grew by 1.3%. Government services activities grew by 4.9%, it said.

However growth slowed compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, when GDP grew 5.5% year-on-year.

Seasonally adjusted real GDP decreased by 1.3% in the first quarter of this year, compared with the previous quarter as a result of a decline in oil activities by 4.8%, the report said.

The IMF says the Saudi economy grew 8.7% last year, but projects that Saudi GDP growth will more than halve to 3.1%, this year.



Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month
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Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi-based MAIR Group, an investment firm active in sectors including food retail and commercial real estate, said on Thursday it would list on the local bourse next month.

The company, which operates over 100 stores in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the ADCOOP and SPAR brands, said in a statement the listing on the Abu Dhabi securities exchange (ADX) would take place on Dec. 9.

It did not disclose the amount of stock shareholders and employees plan to sell through the so-called direct listing, which takes place when a company offers shares to the public without going through a bank-backed initial public offering, Reuters reported.

As MAIR prepares to list "we are ready to amplify our impact, strengthen our foundations, and invite stakeholders to join our journey," Managing Director and CEO Nehayan Al Ameri said.

MAIR, which also manages more than 12 shopping centers through its commercial real estate division, booked revenues of 1.2 billion dirhams ($326.7 million) in the first half of 2024.

Last year, it distributed 135 million dirhams in dividends, equal to 12.11% of the share capital, to its over 12,000 shareholders.