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Eight Decades of Excellence: Boeing’s Journey in the Kingdom

A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
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Eight Decades of Excellence: Boeing’s Journey in the Kingdom

A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)

President Donald J. Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia spotlighted the enduring ties between the Kingdom and the United States, a relationship built on shared interests in economic development, security, and technological progress, said Asaad AlJomoai, President of Boeing Saudi Arabia, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

According to AlJomoai, the visit reaffirmed the long-lasting strategic partnership between the two nations in critical areas including aviation and defense sectors, where Boeing is proud to have partnered with Saudi Arabia over the past eight decades.

From the first delivery of a Boeing DC-3 to the Kingdom in the 1940s, to the landmark 2023 order of 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, our relationship with the Kingdom reflects a deep, strategic alignment that has grown stronger with time, he said.

Fuelling a Bold Aviation Future

Today, our collaboration supports many aspects of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 - a bold blueprint to diversify the economy, empower youth, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for connectivity and innovation, AlJomoai said.

Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as an aviation powerhouse, driven by record-breaking passenger growth, historic aircraft orders, and visionary infrastructure projects, he added.

AlJomoai highlighted that the launch of Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new airline, alongside the expansion of Saudia, signals a national commitment to building a globally competitive air transport sector; between them, Riyadh Air and Saudia have placed orders of up to 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

This order will add to the 240 Boeing commercial airplanes that are already in operation across Saudi Arabia. Our partnerships also include leading lessors such as AviLease, which recently announced a direct purchase of 20 Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft, with options for 10 more. With this agreement for up to 30 737-8s, AviLease becomes the first Saudi Arabian company to purchase the 737 MAX, AlJomoai noted.

These new airplanes will help advance Saudi Arabia’s sustainability targets and global connectivity ambitions, enabling service to over 100 destinations by 2030, and will be integral to aviation mega-projects including King Salman International Airport and the Riyadh Integrated Zone, he said.

Strengthening Local Talent and Industry

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s aviation transformation lies a deep investment in people, innovation, and industrial capability, AlJomoai explained. The Kingdom is prioritizing advanced manufacturing, skills development, and technology - opening new doors for the next generation of Saudis to shape the future of aerospace, he added.

This momentum is already creating opportunities for a diverse and highly skilled workforce. Over the next 20 years, Boeing forecasts regional demand for nearly 250,000 aviation professionals, including 68,000 pilots, 63,000 aircraft technicians, and 104,000 cabin crew.

According to AlJomoai, meeting this demand will require a strong pipeline of local talent and a commitment to inspire and equip young people with the skills they need to lead.

At Boeing, we’re proud to contribute to this effort. One way we’re doing so is through ‘Pick Up Your Wings and Fly’, a regionally focused social media initiative designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in aerospace, AlJomoai said.

By featuring real stories from women across the aviation industry, the platform offers insight, inspiration, and practical guidance on education, training, and career development for Saudi women. The initiative was launched in Saudi Arabia this year in collaboration with our long-standing academic partner, Alfaisal University, he added.

Our partnership with Alfaisal University extends beyond this initiative, he noted. As a co-founding partner, Boeing provides engineering support, mentorship, and collaborates on hands-on projects such as designing a solar-powered vehicle for international competitions, helping equip students with the skills and experience to innovate on a global stage, AlJomoai affirmed. 

We also work closely with Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), the world’s largest women’s university, to promote STEM education and create meaningful opportunities for young Saudi women, AlJomoai added. Through joint initiatives, academic support, and research collaboration, we’re helping open doors for future leaders in science, technology, and aerospace, he added.

Future-Focused: Innovation, Technology, and Digitalization

AlJomoai noted that as Saudi Arabia accelerates toward Vision 2030, innovation, technology, and digitalization are taking center stage in the transformation of its aerospace and defense sectors. The Kingdom is making significant strides in building an indigenous aerospace ecosystem - one that not only meets national needs but also contributes to regional and global technological advancement, he stressed.

Boeing plays an active role in supporting these ambitions through long-standing industrial partnerships, he added. This includes our joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which sustains and supports military rotorcraft, contributing to local capability in defense maintenance and logistics. We are also working with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to explore opportunities in manufacturing aviation-grade metals, as well as advanced plastics and resins, which are critical materials to support the Kingdom’s goal of developing a robust, local aerospace supply chain, said AlJomoai.

Our 15-year partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) further underscores our commitment to innovation, AlJomoai said. Together, we’ve conducted research in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, computer modeling, solar energy, and industrial water treatment. This collaboration continues to support the Kingdom’s vision of becoming a global hub for research-driven innovation and technological leadership, he noted.

These efforts signal a broader transformation - moving from dependence on imported technologies to building homegrown capabilities and truly establishing Saudi Arabia as a global leader in aviation as both a travel and tourism hub, and as a center for aerospace design, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation, he said.

Boeing is proud to have been an integral part of this transformation for the past 80 years, and we intend to be a trusted and dedicated partner to the Kingdom for many more years to come, AlJomoai concluded.

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Business

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
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Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Fueled by a surging private sector and expanding non-oil industries, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the G20’s fastest-growing economy in 2027, overtaking India, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts released last week.

The IMF expects the Saudi economy to grow by 7.9%, ahead of India’s projected 7%, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic transformation as regulatory and legislative reforms unlock new investment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment said the forecast underscores the economy’s strength and resilience while opening new avenues for investment and growth.

Momentum in the private sector and the expansion of non-oil activities are helping steer the Kingdom toward a more diversified, sustainable and investment-friendly economy, it said.

The IMF sharply raised its forecast for Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.9%, from 5.5% in July, an upward revision of 2.4 percentage points that reflects prospects for recovery from the fallout of war and disruptions to trade and energy markets.

The outlook also highlights the structural transformation underway through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as non-oil sectors take on a greater role in driving growth and strengthening the economy against global headwinds.

The focus now shifts to whether the Kingdom can sustain that momentum and turn rapid expansion into lasting investment opportunities and jobs.

New sectors drive growth

Saudi Arabia’s projected lead among G20 economies signals a deeper structural shift away from its traditional reliance on oil revenues, according to Fahad Binjumah, an economist and former member of the Saudi Shura Council.

The private sector is emerging as a major engine of growth, bolstered by regulatory and legislative reforms, expanding investment opportunities and the rising contribution of non-oil industries.

Binjumah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the shift marks Saudi Arabia’s gradual transition from direct government stimulus toward a more diversified and productive economy capable of generating growth.

Major government investments have helped lay the groundwork, creating a stronger business environment and opening new sectors to local and foreign investors, he explained.

Strategic projects in tourism, industry, logistics and technology are also generating economic activity well beyond their immediate scope. Investment spending is rippling through supply chains and small and medium-sized businesses, widening commercial opportunities and drawing more parts of the economy into the growth cycle.

But for Binjumah, topping the G20 growth rankings is less important than sustaining that performance over the coming years.

"The main challenge is to turn economic expansion into long-term productivity gains by improving the efficiency of domestic businesses, boosting non-oil exports, developing skills and increasing private investment independent of government spending," he stressed.

Progress on those fronts would propel Saudi Arabia into a more advanced stage of economic diversification, where success is measured not simply by rapid growth but by a more resilient, competitive economy that generates added value and sustainable jobs, he added.

Reforms bolster economic resilience

Saudi Arabia’s rise in G20 growth projections is the product of years of economic reform, not a short-lived boost in any single sector, said Nasser Al-Sahli, president of the Saudi Governance Center.

Legislative changes, easier business procedures, wider investor participation and the restructuring of key sectors have made the economy more attractive to investment and better equipped to turn capital into productive activity, Al-Sahli told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The private sector’s expanding role shows that these reforms are increasingly translating into tangible economic gains, he said.

Their importance has grown amid geopolitical tensions, global trade and energy disruptions, and risks surrounding strategic maritime routes in the region. A broader non-oil economic base is helping Saudi Arabia diversify its income sources and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

"Economic diversification does not mean complete isolation from global developments, but building a productive and investment system capable of adapting to them and maintaining business continuity under different conditions," Al-Sahli said.

The next test will be whether Saudi Arabia’s private sector can move beyond capitalizing on opportunities created by government projects to driving investment expansion independently and sustainably, he went on to say.

That will require stronger productivity and competition, better access to financing, greater innovation and a larger international footprint for Saudi companies.

Al-Sahli said the real significance of Saudi Arabia’s projected G20 lead lies not in the ranking itself but in its ability to turn growth momentum into a more diversified and efficient economy, powered by a private sector that creates high-quality jobs and lasting economic value.

How G20 economies rank

India is forecast to rank second in G20 economic growth in 2027 at 7%, followed by Indonesia at 5.1%, China at 4% and Türkiye at 3.6%, according to IMF figures presented by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

Argentina ranks sixth at 3.5%, followed by South Korea at 2.8% and the United States at 2.3%. Brazil is projected to grow by 1.9%, Mexico by 1.8%, Canada by 1.7%, Australia by 1.6%, South Africa by 1.3% and the United Kingdom by 1.2%. Germany is forecast to expand by 1.1% and Russia by 0.9%, while France and Japan are each expected to grow by 0.7%.

Business

Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is projected to lead the G20 countries in economic growth forecasts for 2027, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates. The IMF projects the Kingdom's real GDP to grow by 7.9 percent, the highest rate among the group's economies, as shown in data published by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

The Fund had previously raised its projections for the Kingdom's real GDP growth to 7.9 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in its July estimates, an increase of 2.4 percentage points.

This revision comes amid expectations of economic activity regaining momentum as regional conflict-related disruptions subside, and oil production and exports gradually return to normal levels.

India ranked second among G20 countries with a projected growth rate of 7 percent, followed by Indonesia at 5.1 percent, then China at 4 percent, and Türkiye at 3.6 percent, according to IMF data reviewed by the Ministry.

Argentina came in sixth with projected growth of 3.5 percent, followed by South Korea at 2.8 percent, then the United States at 2.3 percent. Projections for Brazil stood at 1.9 percent, Mexico at 1.8 percent, Canada at 1.7 percent, Australia at 1.6 percent, South Africa at 1.3 percent, and the United Kingdom at 1.2 percent.

Germany registered projected growth of 1.1 percent, Russia 0.9 percent, while projections for France and Japan were 0.7 percent each, with Italy coming in last at 0.6 percent.

Growth Forecasts Revised

In an assessment of the recovery path, the Fund noted that the diversification of Saudi energy export routes limits the Kingdom's vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions compared to some regional economies. This is due to the the East-West Pipeline's ability to divert some oil exports to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea, away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The IMF's estimates align with the World Bank's projections, which also raised its forecast for Saudi economic growth in 2027 to 7.9 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in its April estimates, while anticipating a 2 percent contraction in GDP during 2026.

Globally, the IMF expects the world economy to grow by 3.1 percent in 2026 before rising to 3.4 percent in 2027, placing Saudi Arabia's growth forecast at more than double the projected global rate for the coming year.

The Saudi Ministry of Investment said that the Kingdom’s leading growth outlook among G20 countries reflects the strength and resilience of its economy and opens up broader prospects for investment and growth.

This is supported by strong private-sector momentum and the expansion of non-oil activities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s shift toward a more diversified, sustainable, and investment-friendly economy.

Business

Saudi Arabia to Host Global Water Innovation Conference in Jeddah

Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Global Water Innovation Conference in Jeddah

Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)

Saudi Arabia will host water industry experts from more than 140 countries in Jeddah from December 14 to 16 for a conference focused on harnessing innovation to tackle growing water security challenges.

Organized by the Saudi Water Authority, the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2026) is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants and 250 speakers, with an exhibition featuring over 150 international brands.

Bringing together researchers, investors, technology companies and water utility operators, the event aims to bridge the gap between scientific advances and the practical needs of the industry, helping promising solutions reach commercial markets.

Tariq Al-Ghafari, the authority’s vice president for research and emerging water technologies, described the conference as an opportunity to connect new technologies with financing and operational expertise, paving the way for wider adoption.

The gathering comes as pressure on water resources intensifies, creating growing demand for investment in infrastructure and technology.

The global market for water security and infrastructure management is estimated at $303.8 billion, while planned construction and engineering projects in the water and wastewater sectors exceed $1.2 trillion.

Meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean water and sanitation will require an additional $131 billion to $140 billion annually, highlighting the scale of investment needed to expand access and modernize infrastructure.

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people live in households without water supplies on the premises.

Agriculture alone accounts for approximately 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, underscoring the importance of improving efficiency in water-intensive sectors.

Against this backdrop, the conference will explore ways to expand treated wastewater reuse, promote circular economy practices and apply artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data analytics to water management.

Discussions will also examine how regulation, financing and workforce development can speed up the adoption of new technologies, while improving efficiency across the water cycle, from production and treatment to resource recovery.

The program includes the MiyahThon innovation competition, startup showcases and the fourth edition of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water.

These initiatives are designed to bring innovators together with investors and water operators, giving emerging technologies a clearer path from development to commercial deployment.

By connecting research with investment and industry needs, the conference aims to help turn promising ideas into practical solutions as countries seek more efficient, resilient and sustainable water infrastructure.