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Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign Executive Program to Enhance Digital Economy, Submarine Cable Investment

General view of Riyadh city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign Executive Program to Enhance Digital Economy, Submarine Cable Investment

General view of Riyadh city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
General view of Riyadh city, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia and Oman on Saturday signed an executive program in the field of communications, information technology infrastructure and submarine communications cable investment.

Signed by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Eng. Said Hamood Al Maawali, the executive program aims at activating the strategic partnership stipulated in the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed last November.

The program aims at utilizing the geographic location of the two countries and enhance investment in submarine and land cables as well as creating a joint business environment to bolster cooperation in telecommunication and information technology infrastructure, and high-speed digital interconnection for data exchange.

It also aims at providing options for the implementation of regional digital interconnection through investment bodies and licensed companies, in addition to promoting joint investment in data centers and Global Cloud Services (GCS) to maximize the interest of the region.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.