WEF in Saudi Arabia Seeks to Redraw Paths of Development

The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum. (WEF)
The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum. (WEF)
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WEF in Saudi Arabia Seeks to Redraw Paths of Development

The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum. (WEF)
The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum. (WEF)

The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum, under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“It is the strongest summit outside of Davos to date,” according to Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim, who was speaking on the eve of the meeting, which is held under the slogan “Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development.”

The event brings together more than a thousand world officials from 92 countries with the aim of supporting dialogue and finding practical, collaborative and sustainable solutions to common global challenges.

Building on the inaugural Growth Summit in Switzerland last year, the meeting will promote a forward-looking approach to interconnected crises. It will also bridge the growing gap between North and South on issues such as emerging economic policies, energy transition, and geopolitical shocks.

This event comes three days after the issuance of the annual report of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in its eighth year, which highlighted the progress achieved by Saudi Arabia at various levels.

“Eight years after the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, we have demonstrated our readiness to lead the path towards an advanced model of growth based on transformation, characterized by innovation and sustainability. Our vision is to chart the path towards a prosperous economy based on knowledge and innovation, a path that unleashes the enormous potential of our human capital,” Al-Ibrahim told a group of journalists on Saturday.

He explained that most of the growth achieved by Saudi Arabia over the past years came from new economic sectors that the country started from scratch in accordance with Vision 2030, such as sports, entertainment and tourism, in addition to industrial sectors.

“The Kingdom is reviewing all of its priorities and adjusting them to suit its needs, and all projects are progressing according to plan and without delay,” he underlined.

In a joint press conference with the President of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, earlier on Saturday, the minister said the Kingdom has proven its ability to lead a sustainable model globally, noting that it has achieved a 20 percent economic growth since 2016, while the non-oil economy now represents 50 percent of GDP in 2023.

He continued: “At the global turning point we are living in today, strengthening international cooperation has become more important than ever. In cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a partner for this meeting, the Forum has chosen a well-established and dynamic global platform for leadership of thought, solutions and business, to be the best host for this special meeting, in light of the exceptional circumstances.”

Al-Ibrahim noted that the special WEF meeting in Riyadh represents a unique opportunity to redraw development paths in all countries and adopt a new model of international cooperation that aims to overcome divisions and achieve common prosperity.

Brende, for his part, underlined the importance of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum, which is taking place at a crucial moment.

He said that in light of the geopolitical tensions and social and economic disparities that exacerbate divisions at the global level, international cooperation and meaningful dialogue have become more urgent than ever before.

He added that the Riyadh meeting provides an opportunity for leaders from various sectors and geographical regions to transform ideas into actions on the ground, and launch scalable solutions to many challenges.

Brende also said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a number of international officials will visit the Saudi capital this current week to hold talks aimed at pushing towards a peace agreement in Gaza.

He pointed to “some new momentum now in the talks around the hostages, and also for... a possible way out of the impasse we are faced with in Gaza.”

“This is more an opportunity to have structured discussions” with “the key players”, he said, adding: “There will be discussions, of course, on the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

The meeting agenda focuses on three main topics, including international cooperation, comprehensive growth and energy for development.

According to a statement issued by the World Economic Forum, more than 220 public figures from more than 60 countries are participating in the meeting.

The WEF, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, is also organizing the Open Forum on April 28-29, concurrently with the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

In a statement, the WEF said the forum aims to encourage dialogue and increase awareness on critical issues by providing a platform for ideas, thoughts, and questions to be expressed and tackled in an open environment. It welcomes students, entrepreneurs, young professionals and the general public to the discussion.



IMF Cuts Growth Forecasts for Most Countries in Wake of Century-High US Tariffs

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks on the "World Economic Outlook" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks on the "World Economic Outlook" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2025. (AFP)
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IMF Cuts Growth Forecasts for Most Countries in Wake of Century-High US Tariffs

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks on the "World Economic Outlook" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks on the "World Economic Outlook" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2025. (AFP)

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its growth forecasts for the United States, China and most countries, citing the impact of US tariffs now at 100-year highs and warning that rising trade tensions would further slow growth.

The IMF released an update to its World Economic Outlook compiled in just 10 days after US President Donald Trump announced universal tariffs on nearly all trading partners and higher rates - currently suspended - on many countries.

It cut its forecast for global growth by 0.5 percentage point to 2.8% for 2025, and by 0.3 percentage point to 3% from its January forecast that growth would reach 3.3% in both years.

It said inflation was expected to decline more slowly than expected in January, given the impact of tariffs, reaching 4.3% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026, with "notable" upward revisions for the US and other advanced economies.

The IMF called the report a "reference forecast" based on developments through April 4, citing the extreme complexity and fluidity of the current moment.

"We are entering a new era as the global economic system that has operated for the last 80 years is being reset," IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters.

The IMF said the swift escalation of trade tensions and "extremely high levels" of uncertainty about future policies would have a significant impact on global economic activity.

"It's quite significant and it's hitting all the regions of the world. We're seeing lower growth in the US, lower growth in the euro area, lower growth in China, lower growth in other parts of the world," Gourinchas told Reuters in an interview.

"If we get an escalation of trade tensions between the US and other countries, that will fuel additional uncertainty, that will create additional financial market volatility, that will tighten financial conditions," he said, adding the bundled effect would further lower global growth prospects.

Weaker growth prospects had already lowered demand for the dollar, but the adjustment in currency markets and portfolio rebalancing seen to date had been orderly, he said.

"We are not seeing a stampede or a run to the exits," Gourinchas said. "We're not concerned at this stage about the resilience of the international monetary system. It would take something much bigger than this."

However, medium-term growth prospects remained mediocre, with the five-year forecast stuck at 3.2%, below the historical average of 3.7% from 2000-2019, with no relief in sight absent significant structural reforms.

The IMF slashed its forecast for growth in global trade by 1.5 percentage point to 1.7%, half the growth seen in 2024, reflecting the accelerating fragmentation of the global economy.

Sharply increased tariffs between the United States and China will result in much lower bilateral trade between the world's two largest economies, Gourinchas said, adding, "That is weighing down on global trade growth."

Trade would continue, but it would cost more and it would be less efficient, he said, citing confusion and uncertainty about where to invest and where to source products and components. "Restoring predictability, clarity to the trading system in whatever form is absolutely critical," he told Reuters.

US GROWTH DOWN, INFLATION UP

The IMF downgraded its forecast for US growth by 0.9 percentage point to 1.8% in 2025 - a full percentage point down from 2.8% growth in 2024 - and by 0.4 percentage point to 1.7% in 2026, citing policy uncertainty and trade tensions.

Gourinchas told reporters the IMF did not foresee a recession in the US, but the odds of a downturn had increased from about 25% to 37%. He said the IMF was now projecting US headline inflation to reach 3% in 2025, one percentage point higher than it forecast in January, due to tariffs and underlying strength in services.

That meant the Federal Reserve will have to be very vigilant in keeping inflation expectations anchored, Gourinchas said, noting that many Americans were still scarred by a spike in inflation during the COVID pandemic.

Asked about the impact of any moves by the White House to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Gourinchas said it was "absolutely critical" that central banks were able to remain independent to maintain their credibility in addressing inflation.

US stocks suffered steep losses on Monday as the US president ramped up his attacks on Powell, fueling concerns about the central bank's independence. Stocks opened higher on Tuesday.

US neighbors Canada and Mexico, both targeted by a range of Trump's tariffs, also saw their growth forecasts cut. The IMF forecast Canada's economy would grow by 1.4% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, instead of 2% growth projected for both years in January.

It predicted Mexico would be hard hit by tariffs, with its growth dipping to a negative 0.3% in 2025, a sharp 1.7 percentage point drop from the January forecast, before recovering to 1.4% growth in 2026.

LOWER GROWTH IN EUROPE, ASIA

The IMF forecast growth in the Euro Area would slow to 0.8% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026, with both forecasts about 0.2 percentage points down from January. It said Spain was an outlier, with a 2.5% growth forecast for 2025, a 0.2 percentage point upward revision, reflecting strong data.

Offsetting forces included stronger consumption due to rising wages and a projected fiscal easing in Germany after major changes to its "debt brake." The IMF cut its growth forecast for Germany by 0.3 percentage point to 0.0% in 2025, and by 0.2 percentage point to 0.9% in 2026.

Growth in Britain would hit 1.1% in 2025, 0.5 percentage point below the January forecast, edging higher to 1.4% in 2026, reflecting the impact of recent tariff announcements, higher gilt yields and weaker private consumption.

Trade tensions and tariffs were expected to shave 0.5 percentage point off Japan's economic activity in 2025, compared to the January forecast, with growth projected at 0.6%.

China's growth forecast was cut to 4% for 2025 and 2026, reflecting respective downward revisions of 0.6 percentage point and 0.5 percentage point from the January forecast.

Gourinchas said the impact of the tariffs on China - hugely dependent on exports - was about 1.3 percentage point in 2025, but that was offset by stronger fiscal measures.