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World Bank Seeks to Spread Saudi Arabia’s Reform Experience

Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center thanks to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center thanks to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
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World Bank Seeks to Spread Saudi Arabia’s Reform Experience

Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center thanks to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center thanks to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)

The World Bank, in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, intends to establish a knowledge center in the Kingdom to support countries in implementing necessary economic reforms to bolster their competitive capabilities.

The center, which was announced in Washington on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, aims to spread the culture of economic reforms undertaken by the Kingdom in view of its experience during the last seven years since the announcement of Vision 2030, which established the rules for economic diversification in the country.

Saudi Arabia ranked 17th globally in the Global Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) report, issued by the Global Competitiveness Center. It advanced seven places in the 2023 edition, supported by strong economic and financial performance in 2022.

According to economists who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, the center will boost the transformation of Riyadh into an incubator for global centers and regional headquarters for international companies.

It will also contribute to the sustainability of the ongoing development process and stimulate all sectors to achieve competitiveness as a basis for economic development.

Speaking from Washington on Friday, Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi said this step emphasizes the great progress his country has achieved in global competitiveness reports and indicators, thanks to economic reforms implemented with the support and directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim said the World Bank Group’s announcement that it had chosen the Kingdom as a knowledge center reflected Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role and its constant efforts to enable countries to build institutional capabilities to adapt economically to global changes.

Member of the Shura Council and Economic Expert Fadl Al-Buainain told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The Kingdom today is reaping the fruits of its economic reforms that it launched with Vision 2030 in 2016.”

“All the transformation and diversification plans that the economy is witnessing, in addition to the completion of the legislative frameworks related to the economic sectors, is the result of radical reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed and implemented by government agencies according to a strategic vision and specific goals,” he stressed.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.