Digital Transformation, Technical Development Boost Profitability of Saudi Tech Firms in 2023

Tech companies will continue to see their profits grow thanks to their efforts to raise their operational efficiency. (SPA)
Tech companies will continue to see their profits grow thanks to their efforts to raise their operational efficiency. (SPA)
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Digital Transformation, Technical Development Boost Profitability of Saudi Tech Firms in 2023

Tech companies will continue to see their profits grow thanks to their efforts to raise their operational efficiency. (SPA)
Tech companies will continue to see their profits grow thanks to their efforts to raise their operational efficiency. (SPA)

Financial analysts have linked the growth of net profits of Saudi application and technology services companies by 22 percent during 2023 with the Kingdom’s significant digital and technical transformation since the launch of its Vision 2030.

They explained that the sector’s companies are likely to see their net profits increase thanks to the implementation of digital transformation plans, the growth of the Kingdom’s digital indicators, and the high demand from government and private agencies to provide integrated digital solutions in the field of transformation to e-government.

The five applications and technology services companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 22 percent growth in their net profits by the end of 2023, compared to the previous year. They increased to SAR 2.68 billion ($700 million) in 2023, from SAR 2.2 billion ($600 million) in 2022.

According to the financial results announced in the Saudi financial market, the revenues of the tech sector during 2023 reached about SAR 20 billion ($5.2 billion), with a growth rate of 29 percent over the previous year.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Economic Analyst and CEO of G.World, Mohamed Hamdy Omar said the Saudi applications and technical services market offered many opportunities for growth in the sector, thanks to the Kingdom’s digital transformation plans.

These plans have encouraged the rise of modern digital and technical services and the launch of many companies operating in the sector.

He noted that the implementation of digital transformation procedures will lead to “a clear rise in the revenues of application and technology services companies in the coming years, in parallel with the growth in the Kingdom’s digital indicators and improvement in the quality of the digital infrastructure, and interest in introducing emerging technologies into the services of government and private agencies.”

Financial Analyst Tariq Al-Ateeq said applications and technical services companies will continue to see their net profits grow during the current year as a result of the sector’s continued efforts to raise its operational efficiency, provide new digital and technical activities, and focus on development, marketing and technical investment services.



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.