Revival in Jordan Markets after Early Disbursal of Salaries

People stand in line to buy bread at a bakery in Amman, Jordan, January 26, 2018. (Reuters)
People stand in line to buy bread at a bakery in Amman, Jordan, January 26, 2018. (Reuters)
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Revival in Jordan Markets after Early Disbursal of Salaries

People stand in line to buy bread at a bakery in Amman, Jordan, January 26, 2018. (Reuters)
People stand in line to buy bread at a bakery in Amman, Jordan, January 26, 2018. (Reuters)

Jordanian markets were revitalized in recent days after Prime Minister-designate Omar Razzaz ordered the early payment of salaries.

The rejuvenation coincided with the final days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and the Fitr holiday that celebrates the end of the month. Market activity was noticeable at department stores and markets in western Amman, Abdoun and Jabal Al Hussein.

Markets were hit by recent protests against a contentious draft tax law. Razzaz’s appointment has eased the tensions.

The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) called on housewives against buying groceries on the eve of the Fitr holiday to avoid scams.

The Society also called on business owners to take into consideration the difficult economic situation in the country and avoid hiking prices.

In a related context, the Department of Statistics issued its monthly report on the record rate of inflation.

Figures showed that inflation in May reached 124.9 points compared to 118.9 for the same month in 2017.

The report showed that the record rate of consumer’s prices for the first five months of this year rose 4.1 percent compared to the same period in 2017.

Some commodities that contributed to this rise are tobacco (0.68 percent), rentals (0.43 percent) and fuel (0.29 percent). Major commodities whose prices dropped were vegetables and legumes (0.46 percent), clothes (0.05 percent) and shoes (0.01 percent).



Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
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Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters

The credit rating agency “Moody’s Ratings” upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to “Aa3” in local and foreign currency, with a “stable” outlook.
The agency indicated in its report that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification and the robust growth of its non-oil sector. Over time, the advancements are expected to reduce Saudi Arabia’s exposure to oil market developments and long-term carbon transition on its economy and public finances.
The agency commended the Kingdom's financial planning within the fiscal space, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing expenditure and enhancing the spending efficiency. Additionally, the government’s ongoing efforts to utilize available fiscal resources to diversify the economic base through transformative spending were highlighted as instrumental in supporting the sustainable development of the Kingdom's non-oil economy and maintaining a strong fiscal position.
In its report, the agency noted that the planning and commitment underpin its projection of a relatively stable fiscal deficit, which could range between 2%-3% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Moody's expected that the non-oil private-sector GDP of Saudi Arabia will expand by 4-5% in the coming years, positioning it among the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an indication of continued progress in the diversification efforts reducing the Kingdom’s exposure to oil market developments.
In recent years, the Kingdom achieved multiple credit rating upgrades from global rating agencies. These advancements reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts toward economic transformation, supported by structural reforms and the adoption of fiscal policies that promote financial sustainability, enhance financial planning efficiency, and reinforce the Kingdom's strong and resilient fiscal position.