Data Saudi platform officially launched to facilitate economic data access

The platform was launched on a trial basis in September 2023. SPA
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Updated 07 March 2024
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Data Saudi platform officially launched to facilitate economic data access

  • New platform will increase transparency of information related to national economy in line with Vision 2030

RIYADH: A new framework is set to serve as a central hub for accessing transparent economic and social data, thanks to the official launch of the Data Saudi platform.

On the sidelines of the tech conference LEAP 2024 held in Riyadh, Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim introduced the service, which will facilitate access to data and increase the transparency of information related to the national economy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Since its trial basis launch in September 2023, the platform has undergone continuous updates and has been augmented by several features, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

It includes key indicators and provides the ability to view them throughout the Kingdom and across its regions through visual and interactive methods that facilitate users’ access to details on the Saudi economic and social sectors, SPA reported.

The platform’s indicators provide accurate and diverse information from a variety of sectors. Important economic indicators such as the international trade balance, worker remittances, capital-account balance, and current-account balance are highlighted.

Several social markers such as population density, births and newborns, and a population pyramid are also included.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The platform’s indicators provide accurate and diverse information from a variety of sectors.

• Indicators such as trade balance, remittances, capital-account balance, and current-account balance are highlighted.

• Several social markers such as population density, births and newborns, and a population pyramid are also included.

• SDAIA signed three MoUs focusing on the localization of digital technologies and innovations. 

• LEAP featured over 1,000 international and local companies and more than 1,000 expert speakers from 180 countries.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Planning received recognition during LEAP 2024 from Digital Government Authority Gov. Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan for securing the National Enterprise Architecture Accreditation Certificate.

Governmental organizations who demonstrate excellence in implementing the national model for enterprise architecture maturity standards are awarded the certificate by the relevant authority.

In the public sector, these standards help to accelerate digital transformation and raise the bar for maturity.

LEAP 2024 featured over 1,000 international and local companies in the technology sector and more than 1,000 expert speakers from 180 countries. To accommodate such a large turnout the venue is nearly double the size it was last year.

The Kingdom’s Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology Haitham Al-Ohali welcomed thought leaders, influencers, investors, and innovators worldwide to the event.

“This edition arrives at a time when variables are accelerating, and generative artificial intelligence is a critical turning point at the economic and social levels,” he said.

After three days of significant announcements, the LEAP conference saw major deals signed in artificial intelligence and innovation localization during its concluding sessions.  

On the event’s sidelines, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, or SDAIA, signed three memorandums of understanding, including one with Samsung Electronics Co., focusing on the localization of digital technologies and innovations. 

The collaboration will also potentially involve integrating Tawakkalna, the Saudi citizen’s digital companion system, into all Samsung devices in the Kingdom. Additionally, it encompasses providing training services and workshops on the latest technologies used in the field of mobile application development. 

The authority also signed an agreement with PwC Middle East, with the aim of conducting pioneering research and experiments on the latest AI tools and large language models specifically designed for the Arabic language.  

In an effort to establish an advanced virtual laboratory for AI and a center for Generative AI experiments, the agreement aims to leverage GenAi to enhance SDAIA’s operations and capabilities. This includes organizing ideation workshops and proposing use cases for adopting advanced GenAi tools. 

In another boost to localization, the authority’s final agreement was with tech giant intel. The partnership aims to build national capabilities in AI by providing programs to equip university students with knowledge and skills needed to utilize AI in various professional fields.

The technology conference was awash with thousands of international companies and startups. The government agencies also used the event to showcase their digital products and services.

As many as 1,800 exhibitors, 170,000 attendees and 1,100 expert speakers, and over 30 public sector entities attended the gathering in Riyadh. 

The agencies participated in the Digital Saudi Exhibition organized by the Digital Government Authority to showcase innovative models of working using emerging technologies.

In addition, they also signed strategic agreements, launched new services and took part in discussion sessions and workshops about digital transformation.

On Wednesday, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha unveiled the Kingdom’s plans to launch a strategy for space and a space company to boost government investment and private sector’s contribution to the field.

There are two main phases Saudi Arabia will be focusing on, with details to be announced in the coming national strategy, he revealed. First, Al-Swaha said, is the upstream, which is space exploration.

The second will be downstream, he noted, saying: “In the downstream, we will focus on three main markets: space telecommunications — to connect the unconnected world — we have a golden opportunity to fill this void in the Kingdom and our brothers in Africa and Asia. The second is navigation, which according to studies, affects 7 percent of the local production, and we, therefore, will localize this. Lastly, is carbon reduction through earth observation to be
able to track emissions.”


Air France eyes daily Paris-Riyadh flights amid soaring demand

Updated 27 min 34 sec ago
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Air France eyes daily Paris-Riyadh flights amid soaring demand

  • New route reflects airline’s ambition to reestablish presence in Saudi market
  • It comes in response to growing demand to access Kingdom’s expanding economic opportunities

RIYADH: Air France is planning to operate daily flights between Paris and Riyadh, a senior airline official told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

The announcement follows the launch of the carrier’s first direct route between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and King Khalid International Airport.

Stefan Gumuseli, the airline’s general manager for India and the Middle East, outlined the importance of the new route for the Air France-KLM Group and said it reflects the airline’s ambition to reestablish its presence in the Saudi market.

The decision comes in response to growing demand from travelers and investors eager to access the Kingdom’s expanding economic opportunities.

The new route marks a strategic step for Air France as it expands operations in the region and aligns with the growing connectivity between Europe and Saudi Arabia.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Air France is adopting a comprehensive approach across its operations. Supplied

Talking to Arab News, Gumuseli said: “We’re starting with three weekly flights in mid-June, then gradually increasing to five. Our first major goal is to move to a daily service.”

He added that the market is not only outward-looking; the airline is also responding to rising inbound demand for Saudi Arabia, noting that it is experiencing almost exponential year-on-year growth.

Gumuseli also pointed to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which reflects a strong commitment to developing tourism, hospitality, and culture, supported by substantial ongoing investments. He said: “All these megaprojects are a clear sign that tourism is booming. We have a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia and are expanding our cooperation.”

His comments were echoed by Air France’s Senior Vice President for Benelux, Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa Bas Gerressen, who told Arab News: “Tourism is a very important factor, but we also need traffic, which has grown significantly over the past two years.

“The more connectivity there is between the two countries, the more economic exchange will flourish in both directions,” Gerressen added. 

Air France-KLM has entered into codeshare agreements to strengthen its network connectivity.

“We also place our code on these flights. So, when you consider all that connectivity from both sides, demand can only grow,” Gerressen said.

He added: “I believe Saudi Arabia has many premium travelers, and we need to reach them in specific markets. We already have strong demand across our business, premium and economy classes.”

At the same time, the airline is leveraging its distinctive French identity.

The new route marks a strategic step for Air France as it expands operations in the region. Supplied

‘We position ourselves as a truly French brand — luxury, elegance, sophistication ... The French Touch. You can feel it the moment you board,” said Gerressen.

High-end products, gourmet in-flight dining, La Premiere lounges, and exclusive cabin experiences all reinforce this premium positioning. “We offer one of the best cabins in the region with our new first class, featuring a seat with five windows and just four seats in the entire cabin. It’s a revolution in the industry,” Gerressen added.

He emphasized the cabin crew’s vital role in shaping the passenger experience, highlighting their attentiveness and approachable demeanor.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Air France is adopting a comprehensive approach across its operations.

“Each new generation of aircraft reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 25 percent. Today, 28 percent of our fleet consists of these new aircraft, and our goal is to increase this figure to 80 percent by 2030,” Gerressen said. 

The airline is also the world’s leading buyer of sustainable aviation fuel. 

Gumuseli said: “We account for nearly 16 percent of global SAF usage, despite representing only 3 percent of total global kerosene consumption.”

Air France is investing in technology to enhance the passenger experience.

“We’ve decided to install high-speed Wi-Fi on board. In the event of a delay, passengers will receive updates about their connecting flights directly on their screens. With data and technology, we can truly personalize the service,” Gumuseli said.

“Our target customers include expatriates living in Saudi Arabia and tourists wishing to travel to Europe, North America, South America or Africa. Businesses are also a key audience, given the strong commercial ties between France and Saudi Arabia. We aim to serve all these segments,” said Gumuseli.

“Religious tourism should not be overlooked. Pilgrims can now combine Umrah with a more tourist-oriented experience,” he added.

Gerressen stressed the importance of the eVisa: “It is crucial. Simplifying the visa process will be essential in convincing more people to visit Saudi Arabia.”


Credit Oman insures $159m in non-oil exports Q1 amid sectoral gains

Updated 36 min 34 sec ago
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Credit Oman insures $159m in non-oil exports Q1 amid sectoral gains

  • Growth in construction materials, petrochemicals, mining, and agriculture cited as key drivers
  • Mining sector experienced largest percentage growth, jumping 150% to 570,000 rials

RIYADH: Oman’s insured non-oil exports reached 61.2 million Omani rials ($159 million) in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 6 percent increase from the same period last year, according to Credit Oman. 

The sultanate’s export credit agency, which provides trade insurance and guarantees to support domestic and international exchange, cited growth in construction materials, petrochemicals, mining, and agriculture as key drivers, the Oman News Agency reported.  

This comes as Oman’s broader non-oil exports grew 8.6 percent year on year to 1.61 billion rials, now making up 28.6 percent of total exports. The growth reflects ongoing efforts to boost non-oil trade, support domestic industries, attract foreign investment, localize development initiatives, and offer incentives to the private sector. 

The ONA report stated: “Khalil bin Ahmed Al Harthy, CEO of Credit Oman, explained that the volume of insured export sales in the building and construction materials sector witnessed a growth of 24 percent, with a total value of 27.16 million rials.” 

Exports in the petrochemicals and plastics sector climbed 45 percent to 9.2 million riyals. 

Oman’s broader non-oil exports grew 8.6 percent year on year to 1.61 billion rials, now making up 28.6 percent of total exports. File/ONA

The mining sector experienced the largest percentage growth, jumping 150 percent to 570,000 rials. Meanwhile, agricultural exports surged 96 percent to nearly 5 million rials, driven by increased demand and favorable market conditions. 

Despite the overall growth, Al-Harthy noted setbacks in some sectors, including packaging, fisheries, and apparel, adding that the results still reflect the broader progress of the national economy and the government’s continued push for economic development. 

“He pointed out that Credit Oman is making significant efforts to support Omani manufacturers and exporters, contributing to boosting their sales both locally and internationally by offering a range of insurance services and overcoming the challenges associated with Omani products entering global and new markets,” the OMA report added. 

In its earlier outlook, Credit Oman projected strong growth potential for the country’s non-oil exports in 2025. The agency cited an estimated untapped export capacity of 5 billion rials, according to the International Trade Centre.  

However, it emphasized that realizing this potential would depend on evolving global trade conditions, particularly the impact of emerging tariff and non-tariff barriers, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifts in global economic trends. 

This growth comes after a challenging 2024, when Oman’s non-oil exports declined 16 percent due in part to a reclassification of high-value fuel-related goods into the oil and gas category.  

The 2025 rebound suggests improved export diversification, aided by Credit Oman’s efforts and favorable conditions in sectors like agriculture and plastics. 


Most Gulf markets trade up, unfazed by rising regional tensions as US strikes Iran

Updated 22 June 2025
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Most Gulf markets trade up, unfazed by rising regional tensions as US strikes Iran

  • US forces struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites late on Saturday

LONDON: Most stock markets in the Gulf were trading higher on Sunday, relatively unscathed by escalating tension in the region following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, as investors assessed the potential economic impact of the conflict.

US forces struck Iran’s three main nuclear sites late on Saturday, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.

By around 0915 GMT, Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index TASI had edged 0.4 percent higher, helped by a 0.7 percent rise in the country’s biggest lender, Saudi National Bank. Qatar’s benchmark index QSI had gained 0.2 percent, reversing slight early losses.

“It is admittedly a bit surprising to see regional equities shrugging off the US strikes on Iran with relative ease, with opening losses having pared relatively rapidly,” said Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone.

Brown said that the markets had already discounted the probability of a US attack, and investors anticipated a swifter resolution to the conflict following the attacks.

The market is focused on whether the conflict spreads to other nations in the region, with there being no sign of that happening right now, he added.

Bahrain and Kuwait, home to US bases, made preparations on Sunday for the possibility of the conflict spreading to their territory, with Bahrain urging drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait establishing shelters in a ministries complex.

Kuwait’s premier index reversed early losses to trade 0.3 percent higher by around the same time, while Bahrain’s main index was flat. The Omani share index MSX30 was up 0.5 percent.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Egypt’s benchmark index EGX30 was trading 1.7 percent higher, while the main index in Tel Aviv was up around 1 percent to reach its all-time high.


Giga-projects power 6.4% jump in Saudi Arabia’s Q1 cement sales to 13.4m tonnes

Updated 53 min 44 sec ago
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Giga-projects power 6.4% jump in Saudi Arabia’s Q1 cement sales to 13.4m tonnes

  • Local sales accounted for nearly 13 million tonnes, while exports edged up to 408,000 tonnes
  • Al Yamama Cement led the domestic market with 1.68 million tonnes

RIYADH: Cement sales in Saudi Arabia climbed 6.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025 to 13.4 million tonnes, driven by a construction surge tied to Vision 2030 megaprojects.

According to data from Al Yamama Cement covering the Kingdom’s 17 producers, local sales accounted for nearly 13 million tonnes, while exports edged up to 408,000 tonnes.

Al Yamama Cement led the domestic market with 1.68 million tonnes, followed by Saudi Cement at 1.33 million tonnes and Qassim Cement with 1.25 million tonnes.

Saudi Arabia is powering through the largest construction surge in its history, a pillar of the Vision 2030 diversification plan. A Bloomberg report this month valued the live roster of real estate and infrastructure schemes at roughly $1.3 trillion, ranging from Riyadh’s driverless metro grid and entertainment hubs like Qiddiya to the brand-new cities of NEOM on the Red Sea coast and New Murabba in the capital’s northwest.

Those giga-projects, along with heritage revamps such as Diriyah Gate and the Red Sea’s string of luxury resorts, have now moved well beyond site grading and piling.

Saudi Cement slipped nearly 5 percent to SR108 million. Saudi Cement

Gulf Construction, a trade journal for the building and construction industries, noted in May that major project packages are entering the concrete-intensive vertical-build phase, where tower cores, bridge piers, and precast facades consume significantly more cement and clinker than earlier earthworks.

In short, the Kingdom’s transition from drawing board to steel-and-concrete reality is fueling an insatiable appetite for building materials — and cement producers are gearing up their kilns to meet it.

Momentum kept building after March. Domestic sales jumped 42.9 percent year on year to 4.18 million tonnes in April, while exports rose 26.9 percent to 703,000 tonnes, according to Al Jazira Capital’s latest dispatch survey. Contractors are pouring concrete early, keen to stay ahead of the summer heat and tighten project timelines.

Profits do not rise equally

Higher volumes did not translate into across-the-board gains. International Cement Review’s CemNet bulletin said in June that sector-wide net profit fell 16 percent in the first quarter to about SR648 million ($173 million) despite stronger turnover.

Saudi giga-projects, along with heritage revamps such as Diriyah Gate, have now moved well beyond site grading and piling. Wikipedia

Yamama Cement posted about SR142 million in earnings — up 23 percent — while Saudi Cement slipped nearly 5 percent to SR108 million. Qassim Cement improved 27 percent to roughly SR94 million, but Al Jouf Cement stayed in the red at around SR15 million.

Producers faced an added challenge from Saudi Aramco’s fuel price revision, effective Jan. 1, which several companies warned would raise kiln fuel costs by around 10 percent.

Inventory cushions remain thick. Al Yamama figures show Yanbu holding 18.9 million tonnes of clinker at end-March, with Southern Province close behind on 18.1 million tonnes. Across the sector, stockpiles cover roughly nine months of normal domestic demand, allowing firms to throttle kilns if margins tighten.

Modern kilns slash fuel use 

According to Global Cement’s April report, engineering firm Sinoma has finished erecting a new preheater tower as part of Yamama Cement’s relocation and upgrade project south of Riyadh.

The upgrade increases the former 10,000-tonne-per-day line to 12,500 tonnes, with Sinoma noting it had to dismantle, relocate, and integrate large equipment while installing the latest kiln technology.

Yamama Cement posted about SR142 million in earnings — up 23 percent. Supplied

Completion of the tower clears the way for commissioning and final handover of the higher-capacity, fuel-efficient plant.

The efficiency drive extends to the Red Sea coast, where Yanbu Cement’s 34 megawatts waste-heat-recovery system already supplies about a quarter of the plant’s electricity.

The upgrades are crucial because older kiln designs waste a great deal of fuel. According to the European Cement Association, long-dry kilns consume about one-third more energy than the latest preheater–pre-calciner models, while old wet kilns can burn up to 85 percent more.

By contrast, modern PH-PC lines require only about 3.3 gigajoules of heat to produce one tonne of clinker — roughly the energy contained in 30 litres of petrol. Transitioning from long-dry or wet kilns to PH-PC technology significantly reduces fuel consumption, lowers production costs, and cuts carbon emissions — all critical advantages as energy prices continue to rise.

With Saudi Aramco’s January fuel-tariff hike expected to raise kiln-energy bills by around 10 percent, plants that already sip less fuel will feel the pinch far less — and that cost edge is flowing straight into sharper export offers, reinforcing the Kingdom’s competitive position in nearby markets.


Gulf visitor spending to hit $224bn by 2034, GCC-Stat says 

Updated 37 min 55 sec ago
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Gulf visitor spending to hit $224bn by 2034, GCC-Stat says 

  • Inbound visitor spending expected to contribute 13.4% to region’s total exports
  • Total international visitor spending amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023

RIYADH: Visitor spending in Gulf Cooperation Council nations is projected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034, driven by economic diversification, mega-projects, infrastructure upgrades, and relaxed visa policies, new data showed. 

According to the GCC Statistical Center, as reported by Emirates News Agency – WAM, inbound visitor spending is expected to contribute 13.4 percent to the region’s total exports — underscoring tourism’s growing role in Gulf economies seeking to reduce dependence on oil.  

This comes as GCC countries, led by Saudi Arabia, ramp up efforts to diversify their economies by investing in tourism. Central to Saudi Vision 2030 is a goal to raise tourism’s share of gross domestic product from 3 to 10 percent and attract 150 million annual visits, with mega-projects like NEOM spearheading the shift.

The WAM report stated: “The centre also indicated that GCC countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators.” 

It added: “The data demonstrate that total international visitor spending in GCC countries amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023, with a 28.9 percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019.” 

The GCC Statistical Center said Gulf countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators. ONA

GCC countries also lead the Middle East and North Africa region in safety and security, outperforming the regional average of 5.86 points on a scale of 1 to 7. 

Additionally, all six Gulf states rank among the top Arab nations in terms of passport power, reinforcing their global travel competitiveness. The findings underscored the GCC’s growing appeal as a premier tourism and business destination. 

This tourism boom aligns with broader economic diversification plans as oil-reliant nations shift their focus toward hospitality, entertainment, and business travel. Additionally, more flexible visa policies and improved infrastructure — such as modern airports and strong safety standards — are helping the region gradually become more attractive to international tourists, offering an alternative to traditional destinations like Europe and Asia. 

The GCC’s geographic advantage as a bridge between East and West, coupled with investments in aviation, has turned the region into a global transit and tourism hotspot. 

All GCC nations are collectively transforming into a global tourism powerhouse, each leveraging unique strengths under ambitious national strategies. 

According to a report by consultancy firm Roland Berger, Saudi Arabia leads with Vision 2030, combining religious pilgrimage with giga-projects like NEOM. 

The UAE counters with its Tourism Strategy 2031, doubling down on its established formula of luxury experiences and cultural fusion, aiming for 40 million hotel guests.  

Qatar, building on its World Cup, is refining its urban tourism appeal, while Oman bets on natural beauty to attract 11 million annual visitors.  

Even smaller players like Bahrain and Kuwait are making strategic moves — Bahrain by leveraging Formula 1 to boost leisure tourism and Kuwait through investments in entertainment infrastructure.