Investment Requests in Saudi Industries Exceed $13 Billion

A worker housing project in Yanbu. (SPA)
A worker housing project in Yanbu. (SPA)
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Investment Requests in Saudi Industries Exceed $13 Billion

A worker housing project in Yanbu. (SPA)
A worker housing project in Yanbu. (SPA)

Official information revealed on Monday that requests for investment in Saudi basic and manufacturing industries in the cities of Jubail and Yanbu amounted to SAR 50 billion ($13.3 billion) during the first quarter of 2020, despite the repercussions of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Royal Commission president for the two cities, Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Saadan, said that the Kingdom’s effective steps to protect citizens and residents from the pandemic and the early and firm precautionary measures it has taken have reduced its negative effects on various aspects of life.

Al-Saadan was speaking during a virtual meeting held on Monday with the members of the National Committee for Industry in the Council of Saudi Chambers, with the participation of the executive heads of the Royal Commission, to answer the questions of businessmen and investors from different regions of the Kingdom.

He noted that the industry and mineral wealth sector was the target of great initiatives to support and stimulate the economy and reduce operating costs and financial obligations to the private sector.

Al-Saadan explained that shipping lines that connect the industrial city of Yanbu with the port of Jeddah and East African ports would serve many investors through the quick access to customers and markets at an appropriate cost and would greatly increase the volume of exports and imports in the future.

With regards to employment in industrial areas, he stated that the Royal Commission was working on a development project that targets the workers’ residential areas.



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.