عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi Digital Government Authority Announces Rise in Digital Experience Maturity Index to 87.06% in 2026

People are seen at an edition of the Digital Government Forum. (SPA)
People are seen at an edition of the Digital Government Forum. (SPA)
TT
TT

Saudi Digital Government Authority Announces Rise in Digital Experience Maturity Index to 87.06% in 2026

People are seen at an edition of the Digital Government Forum. (SPA)
People are seen at an edition of the Digital Government Forum. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) announced on Wednesday the results of the Digital Experience Maturity Index for 2026, which reached 87.06%, achieving an "Advanced" maturity level.

The index conducted a comprehensive assessment of 59 digital platforms across four main perspectives comprising 20 themes, covering beneficiary satisfaction, user experience, complaints handling, and technologies and tools, supporting the improvement of digital services and enhancing the beneficiary experience.

Governor of the Digital Government Authority Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwaiyan stated that the index results reflect the continuous advancement of digital services in Saudi Arabia and government agencies’ commitment to improving their services and leveraging beneficiary feedback.

These efforts contribute to delivering digital services that are more accessible, efficient, and reliable, improving quality of life, and enhancing government performance efficiency, he said.

He stressed that this progress is an extension of the support and empowerment provided to the digital government ecosystem by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s global position in digital government.

The index recorded growth in 2026 compared to the previous year, with the number of platforms included in the assessment increasing to 59, compared to 50 platforms in 2025.

Meanwhile, participation in the "Evaluate Your Digital Experience" survey exceeded 805,500 participants, compared to 374,000 participants in the previous year, reflecting the expanding impact of the index and its role in supporting the continuous improvement journey of government digital services.

The Digital Inclusion sub-index also achieved 76.98% within the "Competent" level, underscoring government agencies’ commitment to designing inclusive digital services that enable all segments of society, including persons with disabilities and older persons, to access and benefit from digital services independently.

The results highlighted the top 10 performing digital platforms as follows: Absher (94.38%), Etimad (94.36%), Senaei (92.83%), Balady (92.56%), Tawakkalna (92.50%), Musaned (92.20%), Qiwa (92.14%), Logisti (91.72%), Nama (91.53%), and the Ministry of Tourism Portal (91.16%).

The DGA launched the Digital Experience Maturity Index in 2022 to measure the maturity of government digital platforms and services and enable government agencies to develop their services based on beneficiary feedback and global best practices.

The index continues to evolve its methodology annually in line with emerging trends in digital experience design and measurement. This progress has contributed to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s standing in international indexes, ranking second globally in the GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI) 2025, issued by the World Bank Group, as well as ranking first regionally for the fourth consecutive time in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) 2025, issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

IMF Says 2027 Recovery in Middle East Hinges on Easing Conflict, Resumption of Trade

IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
TT
TT

IMF Says 2027 Recovery in Middle East Hinges on Easing Conflict, Resumption of Trade

IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Jihad Azour, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, said the war in the Middle East was weighing on the region’s economic outlook, with economies across the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan expected to contract by 1.3% in 2026 before rebounding strongly in 2027, provided the conflict eases and trade gradually returns to normal.

Azour made the remarks at a news conference on Thursday to present the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook report, which examines the economic fallout from the conflict and its varying effects across countries in the region.

The impact of the war is being felt through multiple channels, including energy, shipping, tourism, trade and confidence. Its effects vary across regional economies depending on whether countries export or import oil, their exposure to disruptions and their capacity to contain the economic fallout.

Recovery expected in 2027

The IMF’s growth projections are based on a scenario in which the conflict subsides in early 2027 and trade gradually returns to normal. Under this scenario, the economies of the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan are expected to contract by 1.3% in 2026 before growing by 6.6% in 2027.

The 2026 growth forecast is around 3 percentage points lower than the projection issued in April, reflecting the conflict’s impact on economic activity across the region.

The effects of the war differ between oil-exporting and oil-importing countries. Oil exporters have faced disruptions to energy production and shipping, while oil-importing economies have shown resilience, supported by domestic demand, remittances, tourism revenues and financial conditions, as well as government measures to limit the pass-through of higher commodity prices to consumers.

Gulf Cooperation Council economies are expected to experience a V-shaped recovery, with economic activity declining before rebounding. However, output is likely to remain below pre-conflict projections over the medium term, Azour said.

By contrast, growth in oil-importing countries is expected to accelerate in 2026 and 2027.

Economies in the Caucasus and Central Asia are projected to grow by 5.2% in 2026 and 5% in 2027, while inflation continues to ease.

The IMF raised its growth forecasts for the Caucasus and Central Asia compared with its April projections, as improved prospects for oil-importing countries offset downgrades for some oil exporters in 2026.

Inflation and external balances under pressure

Azour expects inflation to rise across the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2026, while continuing to decline in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Government measures, including subsidies, price controls and fixed exchange rates, have helped limit the pass-through of higher commodity prices to consumers in parts of the region. However, these measures come at a fiscal cost.

External positions are expected to weaken across most economies in both regions, with the GCC’s current account surplus projected to narrow from around 5% of gross domestic product in 2025 to 1.3% in 2026.

Uncertainty remains exceptionally high

Azour said uncertainty surrounding the outlook remained exceptionally high, with risks tilted to the downside.

Key risks include renewed disruptions to energy production or trade routes, which could drive up energy prices and intensify pressure on regional economies.

Other risks include a tightening of external financial conditions if markets reassess expected productivity gains from artificial intelligence, as well as higher interest rates amid concerns over inflation and public finances.

The Caucasus and Central Asia face additional risks, including renewed disruptions stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine, lower oil prices and weaker external demand if markets linked to artificial intelligence undergo a sharp correction.

Low-income and fragile countries remain the most vulnerable, given their reliance on food imports, substantial financing needs and declining official development assistance, which constrain their ability to withstand economic shocks.

IMF urges stronger fiscal buffers, continued reforms

Azour said the main economic policy priorities were to maintain price stability and ensure fiscal sustainability. Monetary policy should serve as the first line of defense if upside inflation risks materialize, he said.

In the Caucasus and Central Asia, preserving gains in reducing inflation and strengthening central bank independence are key to anchoring inflation expectations and limiting the pass-through of future supply shocks to prices.

On fiscal policy, governments should provide temporary, targeted support to the households and businesses hardest hit by the crisis, rather than adopt broad-based measures that increase public debt without delivering lasting gains in economic activity.

Azour urged countries in the region to rebuild fiscal buffers through credible monetary frameworks, adequate reserves and sound public finances to strengthen their capacity to withstand future shocks.

He said the current disruptions also provided an incentive to seize long-term opportunities through structural reforms to boost productivity and create jobs, diversify trade and economic activity, deepen regional integration, and create conditions conducive to harnessing technology and artificial intelligence.

Business

Saudi Transport Authority: Maritime Sector Proved Resilient Amid Global Trade Disruptions

Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
TT
TT

Saudi Transport Authority: Maritime Sector Proved Resilient Amid Global Trade Disruptions

Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)
Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli tours the exhibition held alongside the conference in Jeddah (Transport General Authority)

Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector has remained resilient amid disruptions to global trade and shipping in 2026, with the kingdom weathering the upheaval with limited impact on the sector.

Essam Alammari, Deputy for Maritime at the Saudi Transport general authority, told Asharq Al-Awsat that integration across the kingdom’s maritime, road, rail and air transport networks had strengthened its ability to navigate regional and international challenges and maintain maritime operations.

Alammari spoke on the sidelines of the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026, which opened Wednesday in Jeddah under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser and Transport General Authority President Fawaz Alsahli.

The event brought together officials, experts and representatives of shipping companies, ports and logistics service providers from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

National strategy

"We were affected like other countries around the world, but thanks to the efforts of Saudi men and women, government support and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, we were able to demonstrate the sector's resilience," Alammari said.

He stressed the importance of integrating different modes of transport to strengthen the kingdom's logistics network.

Alammari said Saudi Arabia's maritime fleet grew 34% in 2025, with its current carrying capacity reaching approximately 11.8 million tons.

He said the kingdom ranked first in the Middle East and 20th globally in terms of national fleet carrying capacity.

Saudi Arabia also ranked second among Group of 20 (G20) countries in maritime sector growth in 2025, he added, reflecting progress toward the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

2026 indicators

On the maritime transport sector's performance this year, Alammari said final figures were not yet available because sector indicators are released annually. He expected the results by the end of 2026.

He said Saudi Arabia's maritime economy had seen significant activity recently and expressed optimism about the upcoming annual results and progress toward the sector's targets.

Alammari linked the sector's ability to withstand global disruptions to efforts under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key initiative supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

He reiterated that integration across maritime, road, rail and air transport had strengthened the logistics network's resilience.

International maritime conference

The two-day conference at the Jeddah Superdome is examining the future of maritime trade, shifts in international shipping routes, port competitiveness, investment in maritime infrastructure, supply chain continuity, maritime security and digital transformation.

It is also highlighting growth opportunities in Saudi Arabia's maritime sector and the role of investment and public-private partnerships in developing maritime and logistics services and strengthening the kingdom's position in regional and global trade.

 

Business

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
TT
TT

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Fueled by a surging private sector and expanding non-oil industries, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the G20’s fastest-growing economy in 2027, overtaking India, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts released last week.

The IMF expects the Saudi economy to grow by 7.9%, ahead of India’s projected 7%, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic transformation as regulatory and legislative reforms unlock new investment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment said the forecast underscores the economy’s strength and resilience while opening new avenues for investment and growth.

Momentum in the private sector and the expansion of non-oil activities are helping steer the Kingdom toward a more diversified, sustainable and investment-friendly economy, it said.

The IMF sharply raised its forecast for Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.9%, from 5.5% in July, an upward revision of 2.4 percentage points that reflects prospects for recovery from the fallout of war and disruptions to trade and energy markets.

The outlook also highlights the structural transformation underway through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as non-oil sectors take on a greater role in driving growth and strengthening the economy against global headwinds.

The focus now shifts to whether the Kingdom can sustain that momentum and turn rapid expansion into lasting investment opportunities and jobs.

New sectors drive growth

Saudi Arabia’s projected lead among G20 economies signals a deeper structural shift away from its traditional reliance on oil revenues, according to Fahad Binjumah, an economist and former member of the Saudi Shura Council.

The private sector is emerging as a major engine of growth, bolstered by regulatory and legislative reforms, expanding investment opportunities and the rising contribution of non-oil industries.

Binjumah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the shift marks Saudi Arabia’s gradual transition from direct government stimulus toward a more diversified and productive economy capable of generating growth.

Major government investments have helped lay the groundwork, creating a stronger business environment and opening new sectors to local and foreign investors, he explained.

Strategic projects in tourism, industry, logistics and technology are also generating economic activity well beyond their immediate scope. Investment spending is rippling through supply chains and small and medium-sized businesses, widening commercial opportunities and drawing more parts of the economy into the growth cycle.

But for Binjumah, topping the G20 growth rankings is less important than sustaining that performance over the coming years.

"The main challenge is to turn economic expansion into long-term productivity gains by improving the efficiency of domestic businesses, boosting non-oil exports, developing skills and increasing private investment independent of government spending," he stressed.

Progress on those fronts would propel Saudi Arabia into a more advanced stage of economic diversification, where success is measured not simply by rapid growth but by a more resilient, competitive economy that generates added value and sustainable jobs, he added.

Reforms bolster economic resilience

Saudi Arabia’s rise in G20 growth projections is the product of years of economic reform, not a short-lived boost in any single sector, said Nasser Al-Sahli, president of the Saudi Governance Center.

Legislative changes, easier business procedures, wider investor participation and the restructuring of key sectors have made the economy more attractive to investment and better equipped to turn capital into productive activity, Al-Sahli told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The private sector’s expanding role shows that these reforms are increasingly translating into tangible economic gains, he said.

Their importance has grown amid geopolitical tensions, global trade and energy disruptions, and risks surrounding strategic maritime routes in the region. A broader non-oil economic base is helping Saudi Arabia diversify its income sources and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

"Economic diversification does not mean complete isolation from global developments, but building a productive and investment system capable of adapting to them and maintaining business continuity under different conditions," Al-Sahli said.

The next test will be whether Saudi Arabia’s private sector can move beyond capitalizing on opportunities created by government projects to driving investment expansion independently and sustainably, he went on to say.

That will require stronger productivity and competition, better access to financing, greater innovation and a larger international footprint for Saudi companies.

Al-Sahli said the real significance of Saudi Arabia’s projected G20 lead lies not in the ranking itself but in its ability to turn growth momentum into a more diversified and efficient economy, powered by a private sector that creates high-quality jobs and lasting economic value.

How G20 economies rank

India is forecast to rank second in G20 economic growth in 2027 at 7%, followed by Indonesia at 5.1%, China at 4% and Türkiye at 3.6%, according to IMF figures presented by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

Argentina ranks sixth at 3.5%, followed by South Korea at 2.8% and the United States at 2.3%. Brazil is projected to grow by 1.9%, Mexico by 1.8%, Canada by 1.7%, Australia by 1.6%, South Africa by 1.3% and the United Kingdom by 1.2%. Germany is forecast to expand by 1.1% and Russia by 0.9%, while France and Japan are each expected to grow by 0.7%.