Qatari Economy Achieves Real Growth of 8%

This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
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Qatari Economy Achieves Real Growth of 8%

This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)

The Qatari economy achieved a real growth rate, constant prices, of 8 percent during the Q4 of 2022, year on year, compared to the same period of 2021.

Data revealed by the Planning and Statistics Authority on Tuesday showed that the quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) estimates at constant prices reached about $49.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the revised fourth-quarter estimates for 2021 of $45.7 billion.

The same data revealed a 2.7 percent increase quarterly, compared to revised estimates for the third quarter of 2022, amounting to $48.1 billion.

The GDP at current prices jumped 26.2 percent annually, reaching $60.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the revised fourth-quarter estimates for 2021, which amounted to $47.9 billion dollars.

Compared to the revised estimates for the third quarter of 2022, which amounted to $63 billion, the gross domestic product recorded a four percent decrease.

The nominal gross value added (GVA) of mining and quarrying sector activity is estimated at $25 billion, up 43.4 percent, compared to revised estimates for the fourth quarter of 2021, which amounted to $17.4 billion.

The real GVA of these activities is estimated at $17.6 billion in Q4 2022, which shows an increase of 4.8 percent compared to the estimate for Q4 2021, which was $16.8 billion.

Compared to the Q3 2022 revised estimate of $17.6 billion, a decrease of 0.3 percent in the real GVA of this sector was also recorded.

The nominal GVA of non-mining and quarrying activities is estimated at $35.4 billion in Q4 2022, which shows an increase of 16.4 percent over the estimate of Q4 2021, amounting to $30.4 billion.

The previous quarter's Q3 2022 revised estimate of $33.76 billion recorded an increase of 5.1 percent.

The real GVA of non-mining and quarrying activities is estimated at $31.8 billion in Q4 2022, which shows an increase of 9.9 percent over the estimate of Q4 2021, amounting to $28.96 billion. Compared to the Q3 2022 revised estimate of $30.47 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent was also recorded.



Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.