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IMF Expects Saudi Economic Growth, Lauds Reforms

International Monetary Fund logo is seen inside the headquarters at the end of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Washington, US, October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
International Monetary Fund logo is seen inside the headquarters at the end of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Washington, US, October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
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IMF Expects Saudi Economic Growth, Lauds Reforms

International Monetary Fund logo is seen inside the headquarters at the end of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Washington, US, October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
International Monetary Fund logo is seen inside the headquarters at the end of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Washington, US, October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lauded the positive economic reforms carried out by Saudi Arabia, describing initiatives that aim at increasing non-oil revenues as achievements.

Following discussions with Saudi officials, an IMF team led by Tim Callen reported that growth was expected to pick up this year and over the medium-term “as reforms take hold.” It also expected a progress in implementing the ambitious reforms within Saudi Vision 2030.

The fund reported considerable progress being made to improve the business climate. Recent efforts had focused on the legal system and business licensing and regulation. The public procurement law that is being updated had a key role to play in strengthening anti-corruption policies, said the IMF.

The IMF pointed out that the public sector in the kingdom can act as a motivator for development in some new sectors.

The Ministry of Finance welcomed the statement issued by the IMF which forecast improving growth for the current year and over the medium-term as reforms take hold. Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan said the statement confirms the progress made by the government in implementing economic and structural reforms, especially in the light of the positive results of the first quarterly report on the performance of the general budget for the current year 2018.

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenue climbed 63 percent in the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in the previous year. Total revenues of the first quarter reached around SAR166.2 billion (USD44.32 billion), rising 15 percent compared with the same quarter in 2017. Non-oil revenues reached around SAR52.3 billion (USD13.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2018, rising 63 percent compared with the same quarter in 2017.

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Saudi Arabia Launches Operations Room to Tackle Financial Fraud

An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Operations Room to Tackle Financial Fraud

An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has approved the creation of a dedicated operations room to receive and process financial fraud reports, in a move seen as a significant step forward in the Kingdom's fight against financial crime.
The initiative aims to strengthen the national security framework, improve response efficiency to financial risks, and boost investor confidence—key factors in enhancing the appeal of the Saudi market to international and domestic stakeholders.
The decision is part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to tackle financial fraud at both national and international levels, aligning with global standards and best practices.
Saudi legal and financial experts say the Kingdom’s decision to establish the operations room marks a transformative shift in the institutional framework for combating financial crime, with a direct executive role expected to accelerate response times and enhance criminal investigation efforts.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, experts said the move will bolster transparency and trust in Saudi Arabia’s financial system, helping to attract both domestic and foreign investment and reinforcing the country’s position as a secure economic hub.
Abdullah Alsahli, a core member of the Saudi Bar Association, described the cabinet's decision as a “pivotal step” in developing the Kingdom’s financial protection system and a practical move toward strengthening financial security and shielding the national economy from cross-sector financial crimes.
“This operations room—expected to be launched soon—will not just serve as another reporting channel, but will function as a high-level executive arm working in coordination with oversight bodies, foremost among them the Saudi Central Bank,” Alsahli said.
He explained that the room’s most notable feature is its direct link to victims of fraud, allowing individuals to report cases without having to go through lengthy banking or institutional procedures. This, he added, will ensure faster response to incidents as they occur.
“The significance of this room lies in its integration with an executive body empowered to conduct investigations and criminal tracking. It allows financial crimes to be addressed not only from a regulatory or administrative standpoint, but also from a judicial and security perspective,” Alsahli noted.
From a legal standpoint, Alsahli said the creation of the operations room represents a qualitative leap in the institutional fight against financial fraud. It introduces a parallel mechanism to the oversight role of the central bank and financial institutions, but with a distinct focus on investigation and prosecution.
“This shift means that fraud reports will no longer be limited to internal financial settlement procedures. Instead, they will be handled directly by competent bodies specialized in investigation, monitoring, and forensic analysis—enhancing deterrence and reducing leniency in fraud case handling,” he said.