Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Market Grows to $7.9 Billion in 2017

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission said e-commerce in the Kingdom grew to 7.9 billion dollars.
The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission said e-commerce in the Kingdom grew to 7.9 billion dollars.
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Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Market Grows to $7.9 Billion in 2017

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission said e-commerce in the Kingdom grew to 7.9 billion dollars.
The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission said e-commerce in the Kingdom grew to 7.9 billion dollars.

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission’s (CITC) annual report revealed a remarkable growth in the e-commerce market in the Kingdom, reaching around SAR29.7 billion (USD7.92 billion) in 2017.

The report showed that 2017 witnessed around 8 million purchases made through electronic applications and websites in Saudi Arabia.

Annual spending averaged SAR3942 (around USD1,000).

The CITC report said that females use e-commerce more than males and 88 percent of users are Saudis.

Over the past years, the spread of internet services climbed from 64 percent in 2014 to 82 percent at the end of 2017.

The estimated number of internet users in the Kingdom exceeds 26 million.

E-commerce services in Saudi Arabia represent around two thirds of the e-commerce spending in the country, with travel-related services coming in first.

A 2016 CITC report noted that the Saudi e-commerce is undergoing a huge growth.

It linked the development of the sector to the implementation of a number of strategies and initiatives that would contribute to the diversification of the economy and the GDP.

These initiatives will be credited with creating job opportunities, attracting investment, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthening domestic industry.



Saudi Government Calls for Private Sector Involvement to Enhance Vision 2030 Reports

King Abdullah Financial Center in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial Center in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Government Calls for Private Sector Involvement to Enhance Vision 2030 Reports

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

The Saudi government has directed greater private sector involvement in shaping the content of Vision 2030 communications and reports, according to sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. The goal is to amplify the impact of the annual Vision 2030 reports by making them more comprehensive and directly relevant to the business community.

The Strategic Management Office in the Saudi Royal Court has invited private sector stakeholders to review the annual Vision 2030 report to raise awareness of governmental achievements. Businesses are encouraged to provide feedback to ensure that future reports are more impactful and valuable for their audience.

The initiative aims to gather feedback on whether the current report format effectively delivers information relevant to the business sector. It also seeks input on the balance between general achievements and sector-specific details, as well as insights on the report’s accessibility and usefulness to business audiences.

According to the sources, the government is also evaluating the level of transparency in the report, particularly in showcasing progress and achievements. Stakeholders are being asked to suggest areas of focus for future editions to make the reports more comprehensive and relevant to their needs.

Additional proposals include enhancing collaboration between the Vision 2030 communications team and Saudi chambers of commerce to better report on progress and achievements to the private sector. Furthermore, the government is exploring the inclusion of practical success stories from businesses that have played a role in achieving Vision 2030 goals.

Since its inception, Vision 2030 has worked to identify and address challenges facing businesses. Significant reforms have been implemented to remove barriers, ensuring the private sector can fulfill its vital role in driving economic growth.

Efforts have included reforms to streamline the business environment, enhance the quality and efficiency of government services, and digitize processes. Additionally, numerous programs, initiatives, funding platforms, and business incubators and accelerators have been launched to support the private sector.

The Vision 2030 annual report for 2023 highlighted strong program performance, with 87% of the year’s 1,064 initiatives either completed or on track. Among the 243 key performance indicators (KPIs) identified, 81% of third-level KPIs met their targets, while 105 exceeded future targets set for 2024–2025.

The report also noted that non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) reached SAR 1.889 trillion, compared to a baseline of SAR 1.519 trillion. The 2023 target was SAR 1.934 trillion, with the ultimate Vision 2030 target set at SAR 4.97 trillion.

Private sector contributions to GDP increased to 45%, meeting the 2023 target and surpassing the baseline of 40.3%. The long-term Vision 2030 target is 65%.