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Saudi Non-Oil Activities Sustain 11 Consecutive Quarters of Growth

The Saudi government continues to support non-oil activities to achieve economic growth (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government continues to support non-oil activities to achieve economic growth (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Non-Oil Activities Sustain 11 Consecutive Quarters of Growth

The Saudi government continues to support non-oil activities to achieve economic growth (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government continues to support non-oil activities to achieve economic growth (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia have maintained their growth momentum in Q3 of 2023, registering a 3.6% increase despite a decline from Q2.

This reflects the success of the Kingdom’s diversification of income sources, moving away from oil, which is a key objective of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, the local GDP contracted by 4.5% in Q3, largely attributed to a 17.3% decrease in oil activities.

Experts have confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the continued growth of non-oil activities affirms the success of the Saudi government’s policy to diversify income sources and not rely on oil.

This is achieved by supporting the local private sector, stimulating the export of national products and services to international markets, and continuing to implement large-scale development projects.

Rapid estimates from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed that the local GDP decreased by 4.5% in Q3 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the contraction of oil activities by 17.3% (the second consecutive quarterly contraction), despite the rise in non-oil activities, as well as a 1.9% growth in government activities.

The seasonally adjusted annualized GDP declined by 3.9% in Q3 of 2023 compared to Q2, influenced by an 8.4% decrease in oil activities and a 5.3% decline in government activities, while non-oil activities achieved a marginal 0.1% increase on a quarterly basis.

The non-oil economy in Saudi Arabia experienced a growth rate of 6.1% during the second quarter of 2023, leading the Kingdom to revise its estimates for the overall GDP growth to 1.2% in the second quarter, up from the previous preliminary estimate of 1.1%.

Last week, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the Kingdom is no longer focusing on GDP numbers but instead on the development of the non-oil sector.

He anticipated that the non-oil GDP for 2023 will conclude with a growth rate of around 6%.

Economic expert Ihsan Bouhliqa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the decline in the GDP growth rate in Q3 of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, and the 3.17% slowdown in the oil sector’s growth, are the result of voluntary reductions in Saudi oil production.

Bouhliqa explained that non-oil activities have been consistently growing without interruption for the eleventh consecutive quarter since the beginning of 2021, with a quarterly growth rate ranging from 10% in Q2 of 2021 to 3.6% in Q3 of 2023.

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Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Turkmenistan and China broke ground Friday on works to expand production at the giant Galkynysh gas field, strengthening Beijing's already dominant position in the secretive Central Asian nation's energy sector.

The former Soviet republic, which holds the world's fourth-largest gas reserves, has exported nearly all its production to China since 2009, when the Central Asia-China pipeline opened.

In the middle of the desert, former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov -- who effectively runs the country alongside his son, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov -- formally inaugurated the launch of the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, an AFP correspondent saw.

"Turkmen gas is a symbol of happiness -- it is present in every Chinese household," Ding said.

The event featured songs and dances celebrating Turkmen-Chinese friendship, staged with the lavish pomp typical of Turkmenistan's state-sponsored events.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, officially titled "Hero-Protector" and vested with sweeping powers, presided over the gathering.

Galkynysh, in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, has been producing gas since 2013 and is the world's second-largest gas field, according to the British consulting firm GaffneyCline.

Expansion works are being carried out by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

On a visit to Ashgabat the day before the ceremony, CNPC chairman Dai Houliang said "the friendship between China and Turkmenistan is as deep as the roots of a tree."

Business

$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
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$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat

Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) will build a new 1.4 trillion Egyptian pound ($27 billion) mixed-use city east of Cairo, CEO and Managing Director Hisham Talaat Moustafa said at a press conference on Saturday.

The project, called The Spine, is to be developed in partnership with ⁠the National Bank ⁠of Egypt, with a paid-up capital of 69 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.3 billion).

The project, to be built as a Special Investment ⁠Zone with TMG's Madinaty, covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land, combining residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and public green space within a single continuous urban environment.

The investment is equivalent to roughly 1% of Egypt's GDP, according to Moustafa, and is ⁠projected ⁠to generate approximately 818 billion Egyptian pounds in tax revenues for the state budget over time.

The project is expected to create more than 55,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect positions.

Business

Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Türkiye's long-term contract for importing natural gas from Iran is due to expire in the coming months, and the two countries could hold talks on a possible extension, though no negotiations are under way yet, Türkiye's energy minister said on Saturday.

The agreement, due to expire in July, provides for delivery of 9.6 billion cubic metres of gas a year, but actual flows have often fallen short, Reuters reported.

Türkiye imported 7.6 bcm from Iran last year, accounting for 13% of total gas imports. Regulator data show the pipeline last hit the contracted volume in 2022.

"According to our forecast, we might need this gas pipeline or the gas flow from Iran for the security of supply of Türkiye. There is no negotiation right now ongoing. I think they are busy with so many other things. But we might sit and discuss a potential extension," Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in the southern Turkish province of Antalya.

"But we haven't started a negotiation during the current circumstances in the region," Bayraktar said, referring to the Iran war.

Bayraktar also said Türkiye was seeking to diversify natural gas supplies, including through Russian liquefied natural gas.