Oman: Inflation Fell by 1.4 Percent in November

A Omani man passes in front of an American fashion brand, American Eagle Outfitters in City Center Mall in Muscat, Oman, on February 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
A Omani man passes in front of an American fashion brand, American Eagle Outfitters in City Center Mall in Muscat, Oman, on February 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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Oman: Inflation Fell by 1.4 Percent in November

A Omani man passes in front of an American fashion brand, American Eagle Outfitters in City Center Mall in Muscat, Oman, on February 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
A Omani man passes in front of an American fashion brand, American Eagle Outfitters in City Center Mall in Muscat, Oman, on February 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Oman’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation fell by 1.46 percent in November compared to the same month of 2019, according to the latest data released by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

According to the report, the inflation rate in November fell by 0.09 percent compared to October.

The price of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels fell by 0.42 percent, clothing and footwear by 0.13 percent, furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance by 0.25 percent; transport by 5.88 percent, communication by 0.04 percent and restaurants and hotels by 0.25 percent.

Moreover, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages fell by 0.78 percent.

However, health witnessed a price increase by 0.02 percent; recreation and culture by 0.52 percent and education by 0.08 percent.

In another context, the Sultanate’s average daily production of crude oil during November 2020 has recorded 720,789 barrels.

The daily November average oil production has slipped by 0.04 percent m-o-m compared with October 2020 daily average production, according to the monthly report published by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

Additionally, the per day average exported quantities of Oman Blend crude oil recorded 777,207 barrels, and increased by 4.77 percent compared with last month.

The average price of Oman’s Crude Oil futures contract at the Dubai Mercantile Exchange similarly increased by 6.6 percent compared with the previous month.

The monthly official selling price for Oman Crude oil for January 2021 delivery – traded during November 2020 - was announced to be USD43.83 per barrel, and increased by USD2.72 compared with October 2020 official selling price.

Oman has created a new upstream oil and gas company, named Energy Development Oman (EDO). Its primary activities will be related to projects in PDO's prolific Block 6.



High Demand, Lower Interest Rates Boost Growth in Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Transactions

Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
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High Demand, Lower Interest Rates Boost Growth in Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Transactions

Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)
Riyadh accounts for about 60% of total real estate deals (Reuters)

High demand for residential units in Saudi Arabia’s major cities, along with a recovery in the real estate market driven by lower interest rates, has boosted the total value of real estate transactions in the Kingdom to $50 billion (SAR 188 billion) during the first nine months of 2024. This marks a 35% increase compared to the same period last year, according to real estate experts who expect this growth to continue in the next quarter and in the coming years.

Data from the Saudi Ministry of Justice revealed that over 162,000 real estate transactions were recorded during this period, with the residential sector accounting for about 86% of the total. The commercial sector made up around 10% of the transactions. The Riyadh region led the way with approximately 60% of the total transactions, valued at $27 billion (SAR 101 billion), followed by the Makkah region with 19%, valued at $11.8 billion (SAR 44.3 billion).

Investor Confidence

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, real estate expert and appraiser Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih highlighted that the growth in real estate transactions reflects the strong confidence of investors and stakeholders in the resilience and attractiveness of the Saudi real estate market. He noted that this was particularly evident in Riyadh, which accounted for half of the total real estate activity over the past nine months, driven by the government’s launch of several large-scale projects in the capital.

Al-Faqih added that the real estate market’s growth is aligned with the broader investment activity in the country. This growth is supported by increased regulations, governance, and transparency, which have propelled Saudi Arabia to rank 12th globally in the Real Estate Transparency Index, placing it among the top 40 international markets in terms of transparency.

A report from global real estate consultancy Knight Frank noted that the total value of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 projects launched in the past eight years has reached $1.3 trillion.

Supply and Demand

For his part, real estate expert Saqr Al-Zahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat that supply and demand are the primary drivers of the real estate market in Saudi Arabia. He anticipates that a gradual reduction in interest rates will stimulate real estate demand in the fourth quarter of 2024 by lowering financing costs, encouraging both investors and buyers to capitalize on the opportunity.

Al-Zahrani attributed the growth in real estate transactions in Riyadh to its position as a key destination for internal migration and investment opportunities, driven by infrastructure projects and a growing population, which continue to boost demand for both residential and commercial properties in Riyadh and nearby areas.

He also highlighted that regional conflicts and Saudi Arabia’s stable strategic position have increased the Kingdom’s appeal in the real estate market.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2024, Al-Zahrani expects continued growth in real estate transactions due to three key factors: the seasonal rise in demand in Makkah during Umrah and Hajj, the increase in residential and commercial projects in Riyadh alongside significant infrastructure investments, and the easing of financing restrictions with lower interest rates.

Al-Zahrani identified six factors that will drive long-term growth in Saudi Arabia’s real estate market: large infrastructure projects improving the quality of life, growing demand for housing due to population growth and internal migration, regulatory reforms facilitating property ownership and investment, increased foreign investment driven by political stability, diverse financing options such as investment funds and crowdfunding platforms, and Saudi Arabia’s stable political climate compared to neighboring countries, boosting investor confidence.