Global Scans · Saudi Arabia · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: Saudi Arabia could see some tumultuous economic policy changes provoked by the lower oil price era and the emerging challenge from renewable energies. It also faces threats from Middle East turmoil.

• [New] An HSBC survey reveals that 9 out of 10 UAE-based international firms plan to invest in Saudi Arabia over the next five years, with 78% planning to strengthen trade and investment ties with Saudi in the next six months. Nasser Saidi & Associates
• [New] Saudi Arabia and Russia might cut output by another 1-1.5 million barrels daily to balance lost Chinese demand. Domestic Drilling and Operating
• [New] Saudi Arabia maintains the largest spare production capacity and therefore the greatest ability to offset supply disruptions from other sources. Discovery Alert
• [New] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently upgraded Saudi Arabia's 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4%, citing expected rises in oil production. Energy News Beat
• [New] Saudi Arabia's minister plenipotentiary Manal Radwan warned against treating Gaza as an isolated crisis, stressing it remains inseparable from the broader Palestinian struggle for self-determination. Al Jazeera
• [New] GCC-China FTA talks are reportedly facing headwinds over concerns that cheaper Chinese imports would undermine Saudi Arabia's industrial policy under Vision 2030, which aims to localise higher-value manufacturing to boost its own exports. Asia House
• [New] Investment and resource security have become paramount, with nations like Saudi Arabia investing in lithium projects, while policy uncertainties in regions like the US could hinder domestic supply chain development. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Before any processing of materials in Saudi Arabia could occur, South African Government authorization for the export of concentrate or matte would be required. Newsfile
• [New] Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leader in IoT adoption, with enterprises expecting a rapid return on investment-averaging just 3.3 years compared to the MENA average of 4.7 years. Telecom Review
• [New] AMD will establish a Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia to accelerate local integration and innovation. HUMAI
• [New] More widespread adoption of digital healthcare solutions could unlock $15 billion to $27 billion more economic benefits to Saudi Arabia's health system as a whole by 2030. Barchart.com
• [New] Donald Trump's unilateral decision to sell F-35 joint strike fighter jets to Saudi Arabia will rely on critical Australian components, prompting experts to warn Australia could become complicit in human rights abuses. The Guardian
• [New] AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN announced plans two days ago for a joint venture to develop AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, set to begin in 2026. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The Middle East stands out as luxury's brightest performer, with expected growth of between 4 and 6%, buoyed by strong tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and sustained demand in Saudi Arabia. WWD
• [New] Frameworks in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain promote open banking adoption, lowering entry barriers and enabling embedded finance collaborations without significant platform risk. Research and Markets
• In Saudi Arabia, by the 2050s, there will be nearly 20 heat waves annually, each lasting an average of 10 days. Informed Comment
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 includes a $500 billion NEOM smart city project, designed to be a global innovation hub powered entirely by renewable energy. Forbes
• Rising electricity demand in the Middle East plays a significant role, adding more than 50 bcm / yr of demand between 2024 and 2030, primarily due to large-scale oil-to-gas switching initiatives, led by Saudi Arabia. IEA
• Recent separate data center deals involving Saudi Arabia and AI startup Anthropic would further boost Nvidia growth beyond what it has already projected. Sophic Capital
• Saudi Arabia's cautious and measured approach to AI implementation ensures that while some services are automated, others will remain human-centric to foster genuine people-to-people connections. Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 08 December 2025