Abu Dhabi’s Economy Rises 3.5% in Q2 2023  

Visitors at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi. (epa)
Visitors at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi. (epa)
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Abu Dhabi’s Economy Rises 3.5% in Q2 2023  

Visitors at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi. (epa)
Visitors at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi. (epa)

The Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) announced the gross domestic product (GDP) estimates for the second quarter of 2023, revealing a whopping 12.3 percent growth of the non-oil economy and a 3.5 percent increase in the total GDP compared to the same period in 2022.

Abu Dhabi's non-oil economic activities have maintained remarkable growth in Q2 2023, leading the value of the emirate's real non-oil GDP to $42 billion, the highest since 2014 to break a record registered in the first quarter of the current year, where it surpassed $39 billion.

According to preliminary estimates, the value of Abu Dhabi's real GDP in the second quarter of 2023 reached its highest level at $78.2 billion, driven by the growth of all non-oil activities, to continue the increase of its contribution to the GDP to 53.7 percent.

It boosted the growth of the emirate's non-oil GDP by 9.2 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year.



Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
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Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters

The credit rating agency “Moody’s Ratings” upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to “Aa3” in local and foreign currency, with a “stable” outlook.
The agency indicated in its report that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification and the robust growth of its non-oil sector. Over time, the advancements are expected to reduce Saudi Arabia’s exposure to oil market developments and long-term carbon transition on its economy and public finances.
The agency commended the Kingdom's financial planning within the fiscal space, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing expenditure and enhancing the spending efficiency. Additionally, the government’s ongoing efforts to utilize available fiscal resources to diversify the economic base through transformative spending were highlighted as instrumental in supporting the sustainable development of the Kingdom's non-oil economy and maintaining a strong fiscal position.
In its report, the agency noted that the planning and commitment underpin its projection of a relatively stable fiscal deficit, which could range between 2%-3% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Moody's expected that the non-oil private-sector GDP of Saudi Arabia will expand by 4-5% in the coming years, positioning it among the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an indication of continued progress in the diversification efforts reducing the Kingdom’s exposure to oil market developments.
In recent years, the Kingdom achieved multiple credit rating upgrades from global rating agencies. These advancements reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts toward economic transformation, supported by structural reforms and the adoption of fiscal policies that promote financial sustainability, enhance financial planning efficiency, and reinforce the Kingdom's strong and resilient fiscal position.