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Saudi Arabia Begins Inventory of Overseas Agricultural Investments

Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Begins Inventory of Overseas Agricultural Investments

Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has announced the launch of the overseas agricultural investment inventory program, which targets the segment of Saudi citizens investing outside the Kingdom, as well as producers who supply the Kingdom.

The ministry explained that the program is an extension of the programs of inventorying agricultural holdings and projects in the Kingdom through the agricultural registry development project and its desire to list and register agricultural investment abroad.

Also, it emphasized that the program highlights the development of economic relations with regard to importing and exporting agricultural commodities and agricultural investment abroad, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable local agricultural production and agricultural investment abroad.

The agricultural investment inventory program will help diversify and stabilize external food supply sources, support the Kingdom's food security initiatives, and enhance opportunities for agricultural and animal investments abroad.

More so, the program allows the issuance of agricultural records for investment projects abroad, a matter which will benefit Saudi investors.

The program is linked to other programs launched by the Kingdom.

It backs the program for purchasing wheat and other products, financing programs provided by the Agricultural Development Fund for agricultural investment abroad, and the facilities provided by the ministry to importers of agricultural and animal products.

More so, it offers coordination through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Saudi embassies. This will help serve Saudi agricultural investors abroad and strengthen bilateral relations and framework agreements with target countries.

The ministry confirmed that a Geospatial portal would be launched for the program.

This portal will enable investors in the field of agricultural and animal activities to register and benefit from the program.

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After Trump’s Victory, Arab Demands for Competitive Advantages Due to Regional Tensions

Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
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After Trump’s Victory, Arab Demands for Competitive Advantages Due to Regional Tensions

Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)

With the election of Donald Trump as US president, the global economy has gained direction for the coming years. Trump’s policies favor corporate tax cuts, increased investment, and expansionary monetary policies. He also promotes local production to boost job creation, which involves imposing significant tariffs on trade partners, particularly in Asia. This approach could trigger a trade war, affecting inflation in both the US and worldwide.

The US economy is already grappling with high prices, slower economic growth, and rising unemployment, alongside a national debt nearing 99% of GDP. This backdrop underscores the importance of economic issues in the recent election.

For the new US administration, domestic concerns will not be the sole priority. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially recent Middle Eastern conflicts, will also impact the US economy. To gain regional insights, Asharq Al-Awsat consulted economists from various Arab nations on their expectations and requests from the US president regarding the Middle East.

Priority of Regional Stability

Dr. Mohamed Youssef, an Egyptian economist, emphasized that regional stability is crucial, benefiting the economy and paving the way for resolving complex issues like the Nile Dam dispute affecting Egypt. He highlighted the American role in fostering calm in the region.

Iraqi economist Durgham Mohamed Ali noted that US relations vary across the Middle East; while Lebanon and Yemen remain outside current US alliances, Sudan and Somalia require international aid to rebuild infrastructure.

Competitive Advantage for Arab Countries

Ahmed Moaty, a global markets expert from Egypt, suggested that reduced US tariffs would improve Arab economies’ competitiveness. However, he pointed out the American high debt could motivate the administration to impose tariffs to protect local industries and reduce imports. Ali observed that US tariffs are interest-driven and selective, favoring allies like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea while being stringent toward BRICS members, such as China, Brazil, and South Africa. He linked tariff policies to regional geopolitics, especially the conflicts involving Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran, which could influence US economic decisions.

Dr. Mohamed Youssef also argued that easing US-China competition could benefit the global economy, as high tariffs on Chinese goods reduce China’s growth, decreasing demand for key commodities like oil.

Ibrahim Al-Nwaibet, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Value Capital, predicted that a Republican win could positively impact oil and interest rates, revitalizing the petrochemical and trade finance sectors.

On currency, Moaty noted the strong US dollar pressures emerging markets, especially in the Middle East. He suggested offering US Treasury bonds with higher yields to Arab countries as a counterbalance. Ali added that the dollar’s strength poses challenges for countries heavily reliant on US currency amid global liquidity shortages.

The BRICS Bloc

Ali also mentioned the high levels of US debt, explaining: “In general, the entire world is concerned about rising US debt, slowing growth rates... and is wary of the BRICS alliance, which some Arab countries hope to join. The question remains whether a cold economic war will ensue.”

Youssef also discussed the BRICS, which could play a role in attracting the new US president’s attention to countries joining the alliance. He added: “This may provide new competitive advantages for countries in the region, particularly as countries like Egypt, the UAE, and Iran recently joined BRICS, while Saudi Arabia is still evaluating the benefits of such move.”