Saudi Non-oil Exports Surge 12.4% to SR101.7 Billion in April

There was an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports in April 2024 (File Photo AAWSAT)
There was an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports in April 2024 (File Photo AAWSAT)
TT

Saudi Non-oil Exports Surge 12.4% to SR101.7 Billion in April

There was an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports in April 2024 (File Photo AAWSAT)
There was an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports in April 2024 (File Photo AAWSAT)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports, including re-exports, recorded a jump of 12.4 percent, reaching SR101.7 billion in April 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) latest report on Monday showed there has also been an increase in non-oil exports excluding re-exports as well, but at a lower rate of 1.6 percent, while the value of re-exported goods jumped to 56.4 percent in April compared to the same month in 2023.

The report pointed out that there was an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports in April 2024, reaching 37.1 percent compared to 32.6 percent in April 2023, as a result of an increase in non-oil exports by 12.4 percent, bringing the decrease in imports to 1.3 percent during this period.

The GASTAT said in its international trade report that merchandise exports decreased by one percent in April, as a result of a decline in petroleum exports by 4.2 percent, while the percentage of petroleum exports out of total exports decreased from 80.6 percent in April 2023 to 78 percent in the same month of 2024.



German Coalition Reaches Breakthrough on 2025 Budget, Financial Plan

A German flag blows in the wind in front of a stack of containers at the harbour in Hamburg, Germany, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A German flag blows in the wind in front of a stack of containers at the harbour in Hamburg, Germany, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
TT

German Coalition Reaches Breakthrough on 2025 Budget, Financial Plan

A German flag blows in the wind in front of a stack of containers at the harbour in Hamburg, Germany, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A German flag blows in the wind in front of a stack of containers at the harbour in Hamburg, Germany, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The leaders of Germany's three-party coalition on Friday achieved a breakthrough in negotiations on the national budget for 2025, dpa has learnt from government sources.

The coalition leaders have also reached a preliminary deal on a financial plan to secure additional economic growth of more than 0.5% - worth an estimated €26 million ($28 million) - in the coming year.

Sources told dpa that the coalition plans to stick with strict rules against budget deficits, known as the debt brake, banking on a significant increase in economic output to overcome shortfalls in government spending.

The breakthrough comes after weeks of negotiations between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens and Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP).

The key sticking point has been a €10 billion deficit in government expenditure, with Lindner's FDP refusing to sideline the debt brake to allow for additional borrowing and investments, and the SPD ruling out any cuts to welfare spending.

Sources told dpa that the new deal includes a supplementary budget totalling €11 billion to overcome lower-than-expected tax revenues and higher government spending.