Search results

Saudi crown prince may move against his detractors

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The scandal over Khashoggi’s death has been a profound embarrassment to the government, which has belatedly acknowledged that senior officials were implicated. However, there is…

Jordanian stability will outface economic challenges

Location:

JORDAN

Activists had threatened more protests if progress were not achieved by that deadline. There have been no reforms as yet and a new draft income-tax law offered for public…

More jobs for Middle East women could boost growth

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

It launched the annual forum of ‘Top CEOs’, reflecting rapid changes in Riyadh’s policy over the past year. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to increase female…

Saudi economic reform will be gradual

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The government has recently taken some modest steps to rein in the budget deficit, including cuts in energy subsidies, and has promised to improve disclosure of its fiscal…

Saudi Arabia’s spending strains banks’ balance sheets

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Previously in April, Saudi banks put together a SAR10bn (USD2.7bn) revolving credit facility for NEOM, the largest of a cluster of ‘giga-projects’ backed by the PIF. This…

Saudi Arabian job creation will depend on oil revenues

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

A major goal of Vision 2030, the kingdom’s strategic development framework, is to address persistently high levels of unemployment, especially amongst young people. Although…

Ambitious reform plan will test Saudi government

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi National Transformation Program.

Bahrain will press ahead with deeper economic reforms

Location:

BAHRAIN

The trial comes amid an escalating crackdown against domestic opposition forces. The crackdown has been presented as a response to Iranian-backed subversion, but the government…

Saudi bureaucratic lag will hamper change

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The state is central both in the economy and in the lives of citizens. Government has been the key driver of economic diversification, but it also poses major obstacles to private…

Saudi Arabia’s renewables drive will face challenges

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress since 2021 in developing its renewable energy sector. However, it contributes less than 5% to total electricity output. By end-2023…