Saudi Arabia Tops Consumer Confidence in Local Economy Trends Index

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Tops Consumer Confidence in Local Economy Trends Index

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia topped the "Consumer Confidence in Local Economy Trends" index compared to the 23 countries, according to the Global Consumer Confidence Index: May 2021 issued by Ipsos.

The index includes consumers’ feedback on the current and future status of the local economy and their assessment of their personal financial conditions and investment.

Ipsos relies on various sectors including commerce, industry, retail, banks as well as governments, in general, to study the changes in this indicator while making economic and investment decisions, including the Kingdom’s National Center for Measuring the Performance of Public Institutions (ADAA).

The Kingdom also ranked second globally among 23 countries in the general index of "consumer confidence" for the same month, in addition to achieving second place in the results of the "personal financial capabilities" index, and second place in the "investment confidence" index.

In a statement issued Thursday, ADAA explained that the "Global Consumer Confidence Index" depends in its assessment on four main axes: consumer confidence in "personal financial capabilities, local economic trends, investment climate, and general job security."

The National Center for Measuring the Performance of Public Institutions monitors and follows up on those indicators that highlight the Kingdom’s progress at the international level and enable decision-makers to develop performance and global competitiveness, through international performance platforms.

This enables public agencies to follow up on the Kingdom’s performance as opposed to the performance of more than 217 countries in more than 700 global measurement indicators.

Last week, Saudi Arabia ranked first worldwide in the response of government as well as of entrepreneurs to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Kingdom stood 7th in entrepreneurial progress worldwide, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for 2020/2021.

The report was issued in cooperation with Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) and Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (BGCEL).

The Kingdom jumped to first place worldwide at the ease of starting-up business index from the 22nd position, according to the report, which reflects the essential reforms in the entrepreneurship environment to business start-up procedures.

The Kingdom also ranked first in terms of providing good opportunities to start a business, after ranking sixth earlier.



Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
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Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA

The Cluster2 Company, operator of Taif International Airport, announced the launch of three direct flights per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air, starting January 31, SPA reported.

The launch of international flights through the cluster’s airports comes as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience and expanding international travel options, while continuing to build strategic partnerships with global airlines to enhance air connectivity in the Kingdom.


Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Oil prices rose on Monday after the US intercepted ​an oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and tensions in Russia's war against Ukraine remained high, with both developments raising fears of supply disruption.

Brent crude futures gained $1.31, or 2.17%, to $61.78 a barrel by 1316 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $1.25, or 2.2%, to $57.77.

Market participants now see a risk of disruption to Venezuelan oil exports because of the US ‌embargo, having previously ‌been complacent in that regard, said ‌UBS ⁠analyst Giovanni ​Staunovo.

Venezuelan crude ‌accounts for about 1% of global supply.

Growing supply from the US and the OPEC+ producer group have largely offset worries over supply disruption elsewhere to keep Brent futures around $65 a barrel in the second half of 2025, though prices have eased in the past month because of oversupply concerns.

Oil prices have been supported by developments off Venezuela while ⁠Russia-Ukraine tensions simmer in the background in an otherwise very bearish market, said June ‌Goh, analyst at Sparta Commodities.

The US Coast ‍Guard is pursuing an oil ‍tanker in international waters near Venezuela in what would be the ‍second such operation over the weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful, officials told Reuters on Sunday.

A rebound in oil prices has been sparked by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a "total ​and complete" blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and subsequent developments there, followed by reports of a Ukrainian drone strike ⁠on a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Mediterranean, said IG analyst Tony Sycamore.

The Brent and WTI benchmarks fell by about 1% last week.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that talks between US, European and Ukrainian officials in Florida over the past three days in an effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine had focused on aligning positions. Those meetings and separate talks with Russian negotiators had been productive, he said.

However, the top foreign policy aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin said that changes made by the Europeans ‌and Ukraine to US proposals had not improved prospects for peace.


GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
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GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA

The Construction Cost Index in Saudi Arabia rose 1% in November 2025 compared with the same month last year, driven by equal 1% increases in both residential and non-residential construction costs, according to data released by the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025.

The Construction Cost Index bulletin is part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to develop statistical products for vital sectors and provide a reliable and effective reference with accurate estimates to support decision-making by contractors, real estate developers, and relevant entities.

These efforts contribute to drawing a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects in the building and construction sector.