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Saudi Arabia: Fighting Corruption is Crucial for Sustainable Growth of National Economy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Council of Economic Affairs and Development (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Council of Economic Affairs and Development (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Fighting Corruption is Crucial for Sustainable Growth of National Economy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Council of Economic Affairs and Development (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Council of Economic Affairs and Development (SPA)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Council for Economic Affairs and Development, presided a regular meeting of the Economic Affairs Council at al-Yamamah Palace on Tuesday.

The Council reviewed a series of economic and development issues precisely the recent Royal Decree to establish a supreme committee for the investigation of public corruption and the investigation with several figures.

The council stated that tackling corruption within the rule of law and preventing the waste of public funds was crucial for the sustainable growth of the national economy, and for the fair treatment of all Saudis.

The Council stressed that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was fully committed to protecting the rights of individuals under investigation and would ensure their fair treatment by the justice system.

The Crown Prince instructed the relevant ministers to ensure that national and multinational companies operating inside and outside the Kingdom, including those wholly or partly owned by individuals under investigation, were not disrupted while investigations into corruption were underway

The Council recognized the importance of these companies for the national economy, and the importance of ensuring that investors could operate with confidence in Saudi Arabia.

In related news, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) said late Tuesday the bank accounts of suspects detained in an anti-corruption probe have been frozen.

SAMA issued a statement explaining that the decision to suspend the bank accounts of some individuals was in response to the Attorney General's request pending investigations in their cases, and it is limited to the suspects’ personal bank accounts have been suspended, leaving corporate businesses unaffected and operational. It added that there were no restrictions on money transfers through proper banking channels.

"It is worth clarifying here that concerned individual accounts rather than their corporate businesses have been put in suspension until final court rulings. In other words, corporate businesses remain unaffected. It is business as usual for both banks and corporate," the statement said.

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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.