Saudi Finance Minister: Int’l Institutions Need Unified Standards for Measuring National Income  

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan during a panel discussion at Davos. (Davos) 
Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan during a panel discussion at Davos. (Davos) 
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Saudi Finance Minister: Int’l Institutions Need Unified Standards for Measuring National Income  

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan during a panel discussion at Davos. (Davos) 
Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan during a panel discussion at Davos. (Davos) 

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan has called for the development of methods to measure gross national income (GNI) that better reflect the true realities of economies, especially in emerging countries.

During a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, titled “New Approaches to Measuring GDP Growth,” Al-Jadaan emphasized the need for international institutions to adopt unified and robust standards for measuring national income.

He noted that achieving this objective requires designing collaborative programs with various countries to enhance data accuracy and analyze it in a more comprehensive manner.

The minister pointed out that traditional methods for measuring GDP might no longer suffice in the current global context, urging the adoption of new tools and standards capable of measuring economic growth in line with the rapid global changes.

Al-Jadaan stressed that improving measurement mechanisms would boost the efficiency of international institutions in providing support and advice, foster sustainable development in emerging economies, and contribute to achieving economic equity on a global scale.



Saudi PIF, Elm Sign Agreement for Elm to Acquire Thiqah

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
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Saudi PIF, Elm Sign Agreement for Elm to Acquire Thiqah

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Elm, a leading digital solutions company, have signed a share sale and purchase agreement for Elm to acquire Thiqah Business Services Company – a firm specializing in smart technology solutions for business services – in a deal valued at $907 million (SAR3.4 billion).

Completion is expected once regulatory approvals are obtained and certain conditions are satisfied under the agreement.

According to a PIF statement, the transaction will further support a thriving local information and communication technologies (ICT) ecosystem and contribute to PIF’s strategy which aligns with the Vision 2030 aim of using digital transformation to create the high-skills jobs of the future and further grow the Saudi economy. The deal will enhance the growth of the ICT sector, drive innovation, and localize technologies and knowledge by strengthening Elm to lead the sector at the national level, maximizing the value chain by providing a wide range of ICT products, services and devices.

The ICT sector is among PIF’s strategic priority investment sectors, being a key enabler of other key sectors, including entertainment, financial services, healthcare, transport and logistics, and utilities and renewables, the statement said.

“PIF is committed to enabling the creation of national champions which contribute to driving the development and growth of the Saudi economy. PIF’s sale of Thiqah to Elm will contribute to enhancing the vital role of the ICT sector and will strengthen efforts to localize technology and drive innovation,” Head of Technology and Media, MENA Investments, at PIF Shahd Attar said.

CEO of Elm Mohammad Abdulaziz Alomair said: “This is an important transaction for Elm, as it enhances integration, rationalizes spending, increases profitability, and provides qualitative advantages for both parties and the market.”

“The combined integrated entity will be better able to create advanced national smart services to serve market requirements and clients’ needs. It will also contribute to facilitating innovative operations and capabilities to develop products in the business field with cost advantages while achieving economies of scale,” he added.