Saudi Economy Grows by 2.8% in Q3 2024

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP achieved a growth rate of 2.8% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year
Saudi Arabia’s real GDP achieved a growth rate of 2.8% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year
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Saudi Economy Grows by 2.8% in Q3 2024

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP achieved a growth rate of 2.8% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year
Saudi Arabia’s real GDP achieved a growth rate of 2.8% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP achieved a growth rate of 2.8% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced Thursday.

In its flash estimates of the real GDP growth rate for Q3 of 2024, published on its official website, GASTAT said that oil activities grew by 0.3% in Q3 2024 compared to the same period of last year, while non-oil activities saw a positive growth of 4.2%.

Government activities also recorded a positive growth rate of 3.1% compared to the same quarter of last year.

The figures further indicated that seasonally adjusted real GDP for Q3 2024 rose by 0.8% compared to Q2 2024.



Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
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Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website

Saudi Arabia's newest airline Riyadh Air said on Wednesday it had placed an order for 60 Airbus narrowbody A321-family jets as it prepares to start operations in 2025.

The deal, signed at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, brings to 132 the total number of jets ordered by the Saudi startup, which last year ordered 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for 33 more.

The creation of Riyadh Air by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is part of a broader Saudi strategy to diversify its economy and boost tourism.

“This deal underlines the airline’s ambitious intentions in advance of next year’s launch, as it builds a comprehensive international network and establishes Riyadh as a major strategic global aviation hub,” Yasir Al Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and chairman of Riyadh Air, said.

CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus Christian Scherer said: “The latest generation A321neo aircraft will bring exceptional efficiency to the airline's operations, concrete contributions to its decarbonization goals and comfort to its passengers. We look forward to working together to support the strong ambitions of Saudi aviation."