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Private Sector Boom Continues in Saudi Arabia, UAE

Economic growth in Saudi Arabia compared to G20 countries (SPA)
Economic growth in Saudi Arabia compared to G20 countries (SPA)
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Private Sector Boom Continues in Saudi Arabia, UAE

Economic growth in Saudi Arabia compared to G20 countries (SPA)
Economic growth in Saudi Arabia compared to G20 countries (SPA)

Private non-state oil-producing companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE witnessed a powerful resurgence in June, fueled by a surge in production and new orders.

The notable surge in production and new orders in Saudi Arabia, reaching the highest levels in several years, prompted companies in the Kingdom to ramp up their purchasing activities swiftly, aiming to meet the growing demands for inventory support.

These insights are based on Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index report, compiled by S&P Global.

June’s headline PMI number came in at 59.6, up on May’s 58.5 and again indicative of a strong, above trend rate of growth.

According to the index, PMI readings above the 50-mark show non-oil private sector growth, while those below 50 signal contraction.

“The Kingdom’s non-oil private sector remained on a steeply upward growth trajectory by the end of the second quarter, as inflows of new business accelerated, particularly in construction and tourism activities,” said Naif Al-Ghaith, the chief economist at Riyad Bank.

The sub-index for new orders rose to 69.5 in June from 67.3 in the previous month, marking its highest level since September 2014. This increase was driven by strong demand and favorable market conditions.

The Saudi government is injecting billions of dollars into the development of non-oil sectors, aiming to diversify revenue sources away from hydrocarbons. Special emphasis is placed on creating employment opportunities for the youth.

“Ultimately, government-backed investments, especially in construction and infrastructure projects, remain crucial for the business sector,” said Al-Ghaith.

He further added that the sentiment towards future activity remains positive.

Commenting on the recent figures, Saudi Shura Council member Fadhel Al-Buainain told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi economy has entered an important phase of growth after recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Al-Buainain, the witnessed recovery is a result of the government’s measures to mitigate the pandemic’s negative impacts on the economy.

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Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
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Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) hosted the Berne Union's Country Risk Specialist Meeting, providing a platform for experts and thought leaders in risk management from the export credit community.
At the meeting, which took place from November 19 to 21 in Riyadh, the attendees exchanged best practices to better protect the industry amid shifting global dynamics.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi EXIM on Saturday, the event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions.
By strengthening institutional resilience, the industry is ready to turn global economic challenges into opportunities for economic prosperity, said the statement, adding that it played a crucial role in advancing global trade, strengthening international cooperation, and developing credit solutions that empower export activities while controlling risk, SPA reported.
According to the statement, discussions centered on critical risks impacting international trade and the global economy, such as debt sustainability and geopolitical tensions, along with innovative approaches to risk modelling. Participants also explored the global shifts in infrastructure, energy and critical minerals sectors, and were given an overview of Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy, which focuses on economic diversification through investments, developing new sectors, and promoting local industries.
In his opening remarks, Saudi EXIM CEO Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb said the meeting is an ideal platform to address risks impacting global economic decision making.
He stated: "Through such meetings, we can turn challenges into strategic opportunities and enhance our resilience in an ever-changing world. At Saudi EXIM, we remain committed to enabling companies by offering expert financial and non-financial solutions to navigate risks effectively."
He also said that "at Saudi EXIM, we place great emphasis on risk management. In alignment with the main objective of this meeting, I am pleased to announce the completion of our independent country risk model, which is supported by advanced modelling tools and machine learning. This model will provide country ratings and predictions of default risks. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in other export credit agencies to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to strengthening our risk management functions with greater responsibility and effectiveness."
Associate Director at Berne Union Eve Hall said: "The global risk landscape today is highly volatile and highly interconnected. As we navigate our way around the ongoing transformations connected to energy transition and shifting industrial strategies, the traditional concept of 'country risk' is becoming increasingly complex. Our industry excels at understanding, quantifying and pricing these risks, and by bringing together this community of experts for technical exchange the Berne Union is able to help support the development of the industry as a whole. The initiatives announced by our colleagues at Saudi EXIM, making use of new technology in risk analysis, provide a fantastic example of where collaboration in this field can be effectively applied."
The statement disclosed that Saudi EXIM's membership in Berne represents a significant strategic step, and is consistent with the Kingdom's commitment to expanding collaboration and integration in the global economy.
This is achieved by building partnerships with leading institutions to address the challenges facing the export credit sector. It also aligns with the bank's goal of developing the export of national products and services through partnerships with national and international financial and funding organizations.
Berne Union works with global trade organizations to encourage the adoption of best practices in export credit insurance, and to cooperate in maintaining the stability of global trade.
Saudi EXIM, a development bank under the National Development Fund, contributes to diversifying the Kingdom's economic base by improving the efficiency of non-oil export ecosystems, bridging financial gaps, and minimizing export risks. This plays a role in helping the non-oil national economy grow, in line with Vision 2030.