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Riyadh Economic Forum Studies Effects of Transition to New Work System

Panel discussion to study the new work system. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Panel discussion to study the new work system. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Economic Forum Studies Effects of Transition to New Work System

Panel discussion to study the new work system. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Panel discussion to study the new work system. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Riyadh Economic Forum is currently studying the prospects and challenges of the new work system, including flexible and remote employment, given its importance in the labor market, especially following the Kingdom’s successful experience in adopting modern patterns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The establishment of the Riyadh Economic Forum, which operates under the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, aims to promote the role of the privates sector in leading the national economy’s march and enabling it to face challenges by diversifying incomes, upgrading productivity, providing job opportunities and improving the investment climate in the Kingdom.

The forum’s advisory office said that the study aims to identify the concepts, mechanisms and requirements for success of modern patterns, and the challenges that their implementation could face.

During a panel discussion on Wednesday, Dr. Khaled Al-Rajhi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum, pointed to the importance of the study, due to the development of remote work and the changes that occurred in the local labor market as a result of the progress achieved in the communications and information technology sector.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC) - wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund - has signed a joint cooperation agreement with Riyad Bank, to acquire a SAR 500 million real estate financing portfolio.

The agreement is the second largest mortgage refinancing deal in the Kingdom.

Fabrice Susini, CEO of SRC, stated that this agreement with Riyad Bank was the latest in a series of similarly significant deals, as part of SRC’s continued drive to expand and strengthen its partnerships with leading banks and lenders in Saudi Arabia.

“Through these agreements, SRC provides liquidity and risk management solutions to support lenders and originators’ efforts to de-risk their balance sheets and enhance both their origination and distribution capabilities,” he said.

Tareq Al-Sadhan, CEO of Riyad Bank, stated that the long-term partnership with SRC would provide housing finance solutions that fulfill the needs and requirements of Saudi families.

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China’s Economy Set to Slow in Q2 as Pressure from US Tariffs Mounts

A laborer works on the glass wall of a building near a luxury brand logo in Beijing, China, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP)
A laborer works on the glass wall of a building near a luxury brand logo in Beijing, China, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP)
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China’s Economy Set to Slow in Q2 as Pressure from US Tariffs Mounts

A laborer works on the glass wall of a building near a luxury brand logo in Beijing, China, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP)
A laborer works on the glass wall of a building near a luxury brand logo in Beijing, China, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP)

China's economy is likely to have cooled in the second quarter after a solid start to the year, as trade tensions and a prolonged property downturn drag on demand, raising pressure on policymakers to roll out additional stimulus to underpin growth.

The world's No. 2 economy has so far avoided a sharp slowdown in part due to a fragile US-China trade truce and policy support, but markets are bracing for a weaker second half as exports lose momentum, prices continue to fall, and consumer confidence remains low.

Data due Tuesday is expected to show gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.1% year-on-year in April-June, slowing from 5.4% in the first quarter, according to a Reuters poll. The projected pace would still exceed the 4.7% forecast in a Reuters poll in April and remains broadly in line with the official full-year target of around 5%.

"While growth has been resilient year-to-date, we still expect it to soften in the second half of the year, due to the payback of front-loaded exports, ongoing negative deflationary feedback loop, and the impact of tariffs on direct exports to the US and the global trade cycle," analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note.

"The third-quarter growth could slow to 4.5% or lower, while Q4 faces unfavorable base effect, putting the annual growth target at risk," the analysts said. They expect Beijing to introduce a 0.5-1 trillion yuan ($69.7 billion-$139.5 billion) supplementary budget from late in the third quarter.

China's exports regained some momentum in June while imports rebounded, as factories rushed out shipments to capitalize on a fragile tariff truce between Beijing and Washington ahead of a looming August deadline.

GDP data is due on Tuesday at 0200 GMT. Separate data on June activity is expected to show both industrial output and retail sales slowing.

On a quarterly basis, the economy is forecast to have expanded 0.9% in the second quarter, slowing from 1.2% in January-March, the poll showed.

China's 2025 GDP growth is forecast to cool to 4.6% - falling short of the official goal - from last year's 5.0% and ease even further to 4.2% in 2026, according to the poll.

BALANCING ACT

Investors are closely watching for signs of fresh stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting due in late July, which is likely to shape economic policy for the remainder of the year.

Analysts polled by Reuters expect a 10-basis point cut in the seven-day reverse repo rate - the central bank's key policy rate - in the fourth quarter, along with a similar cut to the benchmark loan prime rate (LPR).

Beijing has ramped up infrastructure spending and consumer subsidies, alongside steady monetary easing. In May, the central bank cut interest rates and injected liquidity as part of broader efforts to cushion the economy from US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.

But China observers and analysts say stimulus alone may not be enough to tackle entrenched deflationary pressures, with producer prices in June falling at their fastest pace in nearly two years.

Expectations are growing that China could accelerate supply-side reforms to curb excess industrial capacity and find new ways to boost domestic demand.

It's a stiff challenge, analysts say, as Chinese leaders face a delicate balancing act in their quest to cut production while maintaining employment stability in the face of a worsening labor market outlook.