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Saudi Arabia Launches First Water, Agriculture, Environment System Portfolio

Officials at the forum for innovation and modern technologies in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the forum for innovation and modern technologies in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches First Water, Agriculture, Environment System Portfolio

Officials at the forum for innovation and modern technologies in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the forum for innovation and modern technologies in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture revealed on Sunday the establishment of a portfolio aimed at achieving water and food security and environmental sustainability, in an initiative that is the first of its kind in the three sectors.

The portfolio was announced at a forum for innovation and modern technologies held at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The forum, which is held in tandem with an exhibition, was inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti.

Al-Mushaiti explained that the forum focuses on the importance of adopting innovations and localizing modern technologies in Saudi Arabia’s environmental system.

He pointed to the launch of a portfolio for innovation and the localization of modern technologies as well.

According to Al-Mushaiti, the forum showcased the most prominent initiatives that enhance the localization of technology in the ministry’s sectors, and their role in achieving national goals.

Moreover, targeted localization of modern technologies in the environment, water, and agriculture sectors will be conducted by monitoring and exploring technologies, testing and evaluating them, and supporting and enabling them.

Later, these technologies will be adopted and localized by the Saudi environment, water and agriculture system. This will contribute to achieving food and water security and environmental sustainability.

It will also help in developing local content and raising its contribution to the local product.

The forum witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the ministry and participating parties.

One of the MoUs was dedicated to developing frameworks and policies for the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to promote the adoption of modern technologies in the sectors of the ministry.

Another MoU, signed with Oracle Corporation, will work to support technical solutions in the sectors of the ministry.

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Saudi Business and Job Growth Hit 14-Year High

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
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Saudi Business and Job Growth Hit 14-Year High

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Business conditions in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector improved notably in June, driven by a marked rise in customer demand and expanded production, according to the latest Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data.

New business volumes surged, fueling the fastest pace of employment growth since May 2011. This strong demand for workers pushed wage costs to record highs, adding pressure on overall expenses and contributing to a fresh increase in output prices.

The headline PMI climbed to 57.2 in June from 55.8 in May - its highest level in three months and slightly above the long-term average of 56.9. The reading signaled a robust improvement in the health of the non-oil private sector economy.

Companies reported another rise in new orders last month, with growth accelerating following a recent low in April. Many firms cited gaining new clients, alongside improved marketing efforts and stronger demand conditions. Domestic sales were the main driver of the increase, while export sales edged up slightly.

Purchasing Activity Expands

Production continued to expand through the end of Q2, although growth slowed to a 10-month low. Purchasing activity picked up sharply as companies sought to secure additional inputs to meet rising demand, with the pace of purchase growth reaching its fastest in two years.

Employment growth accelerated as businesses rapidly expanded their workforce to keep pace with incoming orders, pushing hiring to the highest level since mid-2011. This strong recruitment trend, which began early in 2025, was largely driven by a rising need for skilled workers, prompting companies to increase salary offers. Consequently, overall wage costs rose at the fastest rate since the PMI survey started in 2009.

Facing mounting cost pressures from higher raw material prices, firms raised their selling prices sharply in June , the biggest increase since late 2023, reversing declines recorded in two of the previous three months. This price hike largely reflected the passing of higher operating costs onto customers, although some companies opted for competitive pricing strategies by cutting prices.

Resilient Economic Outlook

Looking ahead, non-oil private sector firms remained confident about business activity over the next 12 months. Optimism hit a two-year high, supported by resilient domestic economic conditions, strong demand, and improved sales. Supply-side conditions also showed positive momentum, with another strong improvement in supplier performance.

Dr. Naif Alghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Bank, said: “Future expectations among non-oil companies remain very positive. Business confidence reached its highest level in two years, underpinned by strong order inflows and improving local economic conditions.”

He added: “However, cost pressures became more pronounced in June, with wage growth hitting record levels as companies compete to retain talent. Purchasing prices also rose at the fastest pace since February, partly driven by increased demand and geopolitical risks. Despite these challenges, companies broadly raised selling prices to recover from May’s declines, reflecting an improved ability to pass higher costs onto customers.”