Saudi Real Estate Market Deals Confirm Solidity despite Surrounding Factors

An aerial view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
An aerial view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
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Saudi Real Estate Market Deals Confirm Solidity despite Surrounding Factors

An aerial view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
An aerial view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)

The Saudi real estate market recorded deals worth more than 214 billion riyals ($57 billion) during the first nine months of this year, according to real estate exchange data.

Real estate experts, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, noted that the recent figures highlight the strength, solidity and cohesion of the Saudi real estate market, despite the surrounding factors, such as the continued rise in interest rates and the decline in financing granted to individuals.

Real Estate expert Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih said that the value of real estate market deals, despite its relative decline from about 260 billion riyals (69 billion dollars) in 2022, confirms the solidity of the real estate market, despite the continued rise in interest rates, and the decrease in the volume of real estate financing granted to individuals by banks and financing companies.

Al-Faqih pointed to three factors that he said contributed to this value. First, the scarcity of supply in the residential market, whether land, apartments, or villas, which led to an increase in their prices, according to the periodic reports of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The second factor is the large demand for real estate. This gave positive signals to property owners and supported adherence to the prices offered, he underlined.

As for the third factor, Al-Faqih pointed to the “open appetite of major businessmen and real estate entities to acquire many undeveloped land deals at billion-dollar prices, which clearly indicates that we are facing a very promising market in the near future, in light of unprecedented support from the government.”

Al-Faqih expects next year to witness greater momentum in the Saudi real estate market after the non-Saudi ownership and investment law comes into effect.



Kuwait Finance Minister Forecasts $85 Bn Deficit Over Next Four Years

Kuwait’s Finance and Investment Minister Dr. Anwar Al-Mudhaf (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kuwait’s Finance and Investment Minister Dr. Anwar Al-Mudhaf (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait Finance Minister Forecasts $85 Bn Deficit Over Next Four Years

Kuwait’s Finance and Investment Minister Dr. Anwar Al-Mudhaf (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kuwait’s Finance and Investment Minister Dr. Anwar Al-Mudhaf (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Kuwait’s Finance and Investment Minister, Dr. Anwar Al-Mudhaf, anticipates a budget deficit of 26 billion dinars ($85 billion) over the next four years. Speaking to Kuwait TV, he revealed that in the past decade alone, Kuwait accumulated a deficit of 33 billion dinars ($107.7 billion), financed from state reserves.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Kuwait expects revenues of 18.9 billion dinars ($61.7 billion) against expenditures of 24.5 billion dinars ($80 billion), resulting in a projected deficit of 5.6 billion dinars ($18.2 billion).

Al-Mudhaf emphasized the need for economic reforms, focusing on fiscal sustainability and diversifying non-oil revenues to strengthen Kuwait’s economy.

He outlined nine initiatives aimed at restructuring the budget and increasing non-oil income, stressing that these reforms are essential and supported by the country's leadership.

Regarding social support, Al-Mudhaf assured that citizens’ salaries will be unaffected, with subsidies directed more equitably to those in genuine need. He highlighted the importance of fair distribution of support, addressing disparities between individual and corporate beneficiaries.

Al-Mudhaf reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to economic reform through initiatives aimed at enhancing trade, tourism, and financial sectors while preserving reserves for future generations.

Moreover, the minister emphasized that the country’s ruler has directed clear efforts to boost new investment opportunities, refuting claims of impending salary or bonus cuts as untrue. He urged people not to trust social media rumors about the Ministry of Finance or any other ministry.

Regarding foreign investments, the Al-Mudhaf said: “We have multiple agreements with Chinese firms and are working on developing free trade zones.”

“The Chinese government has assigned a company to handle and represent its interests in Kuwait, particularly at Mubarak Port. Additionally, there are agreements concerning the Shaqaya project, housing developments, and the northern region,” he clarified.

Al-Mudhaf also stressed the importance of supporting the private sector, expanding trade, and diversifying financial tools.