Economic Impact of Saudi Geospatial Information Stands at $10.6b Annually

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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Economic Impact of Saudi Geospatial Information Stands at $10.6b Annually

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The economic impact of geospatial information according to 7 major sectors in Saudi Arabia is estimated between SAR 22 billion ($5.8 billion) and SAR 40 billion ($10.6 billion) annually.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Survey & Geospatial Information, in cooperation with the World Bank, announced the results of a study on the economic impact of geospatial information and its techniques on the Saudi economy.

The study is seen as one of the main requirements for implementing the plan for investment opportunities in geospatial space and information.

It included the most important sectors according to the Kingdom's vision 2030, which are: infrastructure, energy, health, education, public safety, security and disaster risk management, and trade.

The study came to define the importance and impact of geospatial information on the economy and national development in the Kingdom.

It seeks maximizing the benefits of information for government agencies and the private sector.

Many government and private agencies participated in workshops to analyze use cases of geospatial information according to the best international practices and in line with the local market.

It is noteworthy that the General Authority for Survey & Geospatial Information works on organizing, upgrading, supervising, and monitoring the geospatial survey and information sector to ensure quality and improve performance.

It also prepares the sector to be attractive to investment, stimulating its growth and protecting the interests of the beneficiaries.



China to Focus on Stabilizing Housing Market in 2025, Housing Regulator Says

 A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
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China to Focus on Stabilizing Housing Market in 2025, Housing Regulator Says

 A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
A cleaner carrying a broom and a trash bin walks along a street in Beijing on December 24, 2024. (AFP)

Efforts will continue in 2025 to stabilize and prevent further declines in China's real estate market, China Construction News reported, citing a work conference held by the housing regulator on Tuesday and Wednesday.

China will vigorously promote the reform of the commercial housing sales system, and expand the scope of urban village renovation beyond the addition of 1 million units, the report said.

China will strictly control the supply of commercial housing, while increasing the supply of affordable housing to help solve the living problems of a large number of new citizens, young people and migrant workers, it said.

Policymakers have stepped up efforts to revive the real estate by introducing new measures to encourage home demand after a government-led campaign to rein in highly leveraged developers triggered a crisis in 2021.

Since September, measures aimed at encouraging homebuying have included cutting mortgage rates and minimum down-payments, as well as tax incentives to lower the cost of housing transactions.

The real estate market has shown some momentum of stabilizing, with home transactions in October and November seeing year-on-year and month-on-month growth for two consecutive months, said the conference.

China's home prices fell at the slowest pace in 17 months in November, supported by government efforts to revive the sector, official data showed.

An official of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission in December called for policy measures with direct impact on stabilizing the real estate market to be adopted as soon as possible, with local governments getting greater autonomy to buy housing stock.