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Saudi Arabia Raises Private Sector Efficiency by Accelerating Digital Procurement

Eng. Mansour Al-Obaid, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee at the Riyadh Chamber
Eng. Mansour Al-Obaid, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee at the Riyadh Chamber
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Saudi Arabia Raises Private Sector Efficiency by Accelerating Digital Procurement

Eng. Mansour Al-Obaid, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee at the Riyadh Chamber
Eng. Mansour Al-Obaid, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee at the Riyadh Chamber

Saudi Arabia has called on the private sector, specifically communications and information technology contractors, to join the Saudi Digital Investment Frontier (SDIF) to accelerate the pace of digital purchases in the next stage.

SDIF, which was launched last year by the Digital Government Authority (DGA), aims to enhance the means of joint work between the public and private sectors, increase the efficiency of the private sector’s participation in digital government projects, and encourage local and foreign investment in digital government.

According to official information, the DGA directed the Federation of Saudi Chambers to request communications and information technology contractors to call on all relevant companies and institutions to join the SDIF platform to enable them to win government tenders.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Eng. Mansour Al-Obaid, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Committee at the Riyadh Chamber, underlined the importance for contractors to register on the platform in order to obtain a classification certificate approved by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, and then access government procurement tenders.

He added that the benefits of the platform also include access to government procurement information, including tender notices, contract opportunities and supplier evaluation criteria.

Al-Obaid added that the main objectives of the program are to improve the efficiency of digital government procurement, by developing a central procurement platform that provides training and support to public entities, as well as increasing private sector participation in digital government projects to create a more favorable investment environment.

According to Obaid, SDIF also seeks to raise the work quality of providers and operators of digital government services, and to stimulate foreign and local investment.

The Saudi government launched the SDIF program to enhance investment and efficiency of government spending in the field of digital government, improve budget planning and avoid duplication of projects.

SDIF falls within the DGA’s initiatives aimed at leading the digital government of Saudi Arabia. It was announced during the first quarter of 2022.

The DGA has recently issued the Readiness to Adopt Emerging Technologies Report 2023, which measures capabilities related to “Research, Communication, Proof, and Integration.”

The report is designed to assist government agencies in determining their readiness levels, exploring gaps and optimization opportunities and providing plans for capacity building in a manner commensurate with requirements, as well as ensuring the achievement of desired benefits.

According to the report, the overall score for assessing the readiness of government agencies to adopt emerging technologies reached 60.35%, at the “Competent” level.

The participating agencies have shown progress in most of the capabilities related to adopting emerging technologies, as well as remarkable potential for excellence and achieving an integrated creative experience, the report added.

 

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Saudi Arabia’s Private Sector Ends 2024 with Strongest Sales Growth

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia’s Private Sector Ends 2024 with Strongest Sales Growth

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector concluded 2024 on a high note, with significant increases in sales and business activity fueled by robust domestic and international demand.
The Kingdom’s non-oil GDP is expected to grow by over 4% in both 2024 and 2025, supported by notable improvements in business conditions, according to Riyad Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report.
Despite inflationary challenges, the Riyad Bank PMI recorded 58.4 points in December, reflecting strong and accelerated economic recovery, albeit slightly lower than November’s 59.0 points.
The solid performance highlights improvements across non-oil sectors, with new business activity in December growing at its fastest pace in 12 months. This growth reflects rising domestic and global demand. Renewed marketing efforts and strong customer demand encouraged companies to boost production and expand operations, particularly in wholesale and retail.
The PMI has remained above the neutral threshold of 50.0 points since September 2020, signaling continuous expansion in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economic activity.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) previously projected sustained momentum in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil reforms, estimating non-oil GDP growth for 2024 at between 3.9% and 4.4%. The IMF noted that growth could reach 8% if reform strategies are fully implemented.
Expansion in International Markets
A surge in exports was among the key factors driving non-oil economic growth in Saudi Arabia. December saw the largest increase in export orders in 17 months, underscoring the success of Saudi policies in opening new markets and fostering strong international trade relationships, supported by ongoing product innovation.
Higher domestic and international demand boosted production levels in December. Companies also worked to enhance operational efficiency, leading to a notable increase in inventory. Purchasing activity accelerated to its highest level in nine months, reflecting the sector’s ability to effectively meet rising demand.
Cost Pressures on Production
Despite significant growth in production and sales, the sector continues to face challenges related to sharp inflation in input costs, driven by heightened demand for raw materials. These pressures have led to higher product prices, although some companies opted to reduce prices to remain competitive and address elevated inventory levels.
Meanwhile, wage cost increases were less pronounced, helping mitigate economic pressures related to salaries.
Future Outlook
Dr. Naif Al-Ghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Bank, highlighted the positive end to 2024 for the Kingdom’s non-oil private sector, reflecting the progress achieved under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He noted that the PMI score of 58.4 points demonstrates the sector’s resilience and ongoing expansion.
Al-Ghaith expects non-oil GDP to grow by over 4% in 2024 and 2025, driven by improved business conditions and rising new orders, signaling increased market confidence and demand. Elevated domestic demand and export growth have pushed total sales to their highest level in a year. This, in turn, has led to strong increases in business activity and inventory levels, demonstrating the sector’s ability to meet and capitalize on excess demand, he underlined.