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] Iran has already openly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, even though Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran all rely on it to ship oil from the Persian Gulf. Keytrade Bank
• [New] Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have oil pipelines that, to an extent, could serve as alternative trade routes should the Strait of Hormuz become compromised, but their relative capacities would be limited. CBS News
• The United States, together with India, launched a joint land invasion of Iran in March, 2026, with aerial support from Israel, as well as logistical support from Saudi Arabia. Future
• Economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030 are reducing Saudi Arabia's oil dependence and creating new employment opportunities in Jeddah. Sands Of Wealth
• Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious target under Vision 2030 to expand wastewater services and enhance the utilization of treated wastewater. SpringerLink
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, like several Middle Eastern nations, faces severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and a rapidly growing population, which have threatened the sustainability of water resources and led to the degradation of both renewable and non-renewable resources. SpringerLink
• OPEC production increases may have been a planned move to mitigate war risk and reduce oil price volatility, with Saudi Arabia preemptively increasing production. Dollar Collapse
• Substitution away from oil will feature prominently in power generation during the forecast period - particularly in Saudi Arabia, where displacement of oil burning by natural gas and renewables drives the single largest decline in oil demand for any country through 2030. IEA
• Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are expected to witness increasing demand due to expanding healthcare access and rising incidence of chronic illness. Market.us Media
• Saudi Arabia apparently still wants to develop its own uranium resources and may be mindful of the risks posed by a still-uranium-enriching Iran. AGBI
• Dhl Group has announced an investment exceeding 500 million euros in the Middle East between 2024 and 2030, targeting the growing markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. TrasportoEuropa
• DHL Group will invest more than €500m (US$578m) in its Middle East operations over the next five years, with a specific focus on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Parcel and Postal Technology International
• For the Gulf states, a nuclear deal would align their strategy with Washington's Middle East policy, which could then be consecrated in a formal strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• The potential for public-private partnerships in the space sector presents Saudi Arabia with a unique opportunity to leverage expertise and resources from both local and international stakeholders. SpringerLink
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 underscores the importance of infrastructure development, economic diversification and sustainability. The Energy Year
• Out of the six GCC member countries, two countries - the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia - are signatories of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project, a multi-modal connectivity project with the potential to become a 'new economic pathway of globalization'. ORF Middle East
• If harnessed inclusively, generative AI could redefine national productivity, catalyze job creation in tech driven sectors, and elevate Saudi Arabia's influence in the global digital economy. Bonafide Research
• Government backing is a significant accelerator - for example, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 explicitly supports digital transformation in real estate, seeing it as part of a once-in-a-lifetime economic shift. BD&C - Business Development & Consulting
• Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates will each receive more than half the increase in production. AtCoMedia. Inc
• With continued support from Vision 2030, technology, and education, Saudi Arabia is on its way to becoming one of the most dynamic job markets in the world. Teleport Manpower Consultant
• Israel, a global leader in technological innovation, and Saudi Arabia, which aspires to become a regional technology hub, could both play a pivotal role in creating the strategic corridor linking Asia and Europe via the Middle East. Middle East Forum

Last updated: 30 June 2025