Saudi investment ministry inks deal with Sana to boost entrepreneurial ecosystem in Al-Ahsa
Updated 20 February 2025
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: A new cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Investment and Prince Ahmed bin Fahd bin Salman Center will see Saudi Arabia enhance its entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Al-Ahsa region.
The deal signed with the center, also known as Sana, focuses on attracting pioneering companies and innovators while fostering a business-friendly environment.
The Kingdom is increasingly being recognized for its growing enteprise-friendly landscape, securing third position in the 2023-2024 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report.
The latest initiative, inked at the Al-Ahsa Forum 2025 in Al-Ahsa, also seeks to foster greater engagement with creative thinkers and business leaders through investment meetings and events, and will support the issuance of entrepreneurial licenses and provide access to essential services.
Moreover, the Sana agreement seeks to explore investment opportunities, encourage strategic partnerships, and promote investment alliances that enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurship sector in Saudi Arabia.
The new deal comes against a backdrop of venture capital pouring into the Kingdom, with the country retaining its position as the leading destination for such funds in the MENA region in 2024, raising $750 million, according to a report from regional venture platform MAGNiTT.
This marked the second consecutive year the Kingdom has led regional VC rankings. Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 percent of the total amount deployed in MENA, closing 178 deals, the most of any nation in the region.
Speaking to Arab News at at the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference held in February, Mohammed Al-Zubi —founder of Saudi venture capital firm Nama Ventures — explained that the nation is rapidly becoming a key player in the regional technology ecosystem and is emerging as the “center of gravity” for Middle East startups.
Al-Zubi believes Saudi Arabia’s support for the startup ecosystem is unmatched globally. Having spent time in Silicon Valley, London, and the Middle East, he argued that the Kingdom’s government-led initiatives are unparalleled.
According to the international policy advisory and research organization Startup Genome, Riyadh ranked among the top five startup ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa in June, in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
Saudi real estate sector playing key role in GDP growth: Minister
Updated 31 March 2025
Miguel Hadchity
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s expanding real estate sector is contributing directly to the growth of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, according to the minister of economy and planning.
Faisal Al-Ibrahim told Al-Arabiya Business that the Saudi government has created an enabling environment for the private sector, allowing it to focus on qualitative investment in real estate development.
Those remarks come amid a broader government effort to stabilize the real estate market in Riyadh. Over the weekend, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a series of measures aimed at addressing rising land prices and rental costs, including lifting restrictions on land transactions and development in northern Riyadh.
The initiative, based on studies by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, seeks to increase housing accessibility, regulate market dynamics, and ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
In his remarks, Al-Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of cost regulation in supporting the private sector, enhancing market competitiveness, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Regarding upcoming policies and regulations, he said: “All legislative measures will be announced in due course, and their impact will be monitored in a structured and institutionalized manner to ensure they achieve the desired objectives.”
According to an analysis by real estate services firm JLL released at the end of March, the Saudi real estate sector is poised for further expansion, driven by Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.
The firm said that the Kingdom’s non-oil sector is projected to grow by 5.8 percent in 2025, up from 4.5 percent in 2024.
The report highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strong construction activity, with project awards totaling $29.5 billion in 2024. A strong real estate market is critical for the Kingdom’s ambitions to position itself as a global hub for tourism and business.
The property market is projected to reach $101.62 billion by 2029, growing at an annual rate of 8 percent from 2024.
Despite global economic headwinds, JLL’s country head for Saudi Arabia, Saud Al-Sulaimani, emphasized that Vision 2030’s strategic diversification efforts are attracting both domestic and international capital.
Key sectors, particularly in Riyadh and Jeddah, are seeing sustained demand, with tourism and infrastructure initiatives further stimulating investment.
Stocks slide; bonds, gold buoyed as tariffs stoke recession fears
STOXX 600 falls 1.7 percent, US futures lower
Nikkei dives over 4 percent
Trump says US tariffs to cover all countries
Updated 31 March 2025
Reuters
LONDON: Major global share markets fell sharply on Monday and gold surged to another new record after US President Donald Trump said tariffs would essentially cover all countries, stoking worries a global trade war could lead to a recession.
Trump’s comments to reporters on Air Force One seemed to dash hopes the levies would be limited to a smaller group of countries with the biggest trade imbalances.
Trump is due to receive tariff recommendations on Tuesday and announce initial levels on Wednesday, followed by auto tariffs the day after.
“What the Trump administration has shown us so far is that you should not expect a consistent approach,” said George Lagarias, chief economist at Forvis Mazars.
“This is what scares the market the most. Inconsistency breeds uncertainty, and markets hate uncertainty.”
Europe’s STOXX 600 fell 1.7 percent to its lowest level in almost eight weeks, while major indexes in Frankfurt, London and Paris fell between 1.3 percent and 2 percent.
S&P 500 futures lost over 1 percent, extending losses after Friday’s 2 percent drop, while Nasdaq futures shed 1.5 percent.
Japan’s Nikkei led the rout in Asia, losing an eye-watering 4.1 percent and falling to a six-month low as automaker stocks continued to suffer fallout from Trump’s talk of 25 percent tariffs on imported cars.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shed 1.9 percent.
Seeking any safe harbor from the trade storm, investors piled into sovereign bonds and the Japanese yen and pushed gold prices to another all-time high.
“For the first time in years, we find ourselves genuinely worried about risk assets,” said Ajay Rajadhyaksha, head of rates markets at Barclays.
“If policy chaos and trade wars worsen much further, a recession is now a realistic risk across major economies,” he added. “For the first time in many quarters, we favor core fixed income over global equities.”
That “R” word
Many economists are worried that tariffs will hit the US economy hard, even as they limit the Federal Reserve’s scope to cut rates by driving inflation in the short term.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs now see a 35 percent chance of a US recession, up from 20 percent previously, saying they expect Trump to announce reciprocal tariffs that average 15 percent across all US trading partners on April 2.
Data out on Friday underlined the risks as a key measure of core inflation rose by more than expected in February while consumer spending disappointed.
That raised the stakes for the March payrolls report due on Friday where any outcome below the 140,000 gain expected would only add to recession fears. Also due are a rush of surveys on factories and services, along with figures on trade and job openings.
Bond investors seemed to be betting the slowdown in US economic growth will outweigh a temporary lift in inflation and prompt the Fed to cut rates by about 80 basis points this year.
This, combined with a flight from risk assets, saw the 10-year Treasury yield drop as low as 4.184 percent while the two-year yield hit 3.842 percent. Germany’s 10-year yield fell as low as 2.659 percent, its lowest since March 5.
The outlook for rates could become clearer when Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks on Friday, following a host of other Fed speakers this week.
The drop in US yields saw the dollar ease 0.4 percent to 149.30 yen, while the euro held at $1.08. The dollar index was steady at 104.05, having slipped for the previous two sessions.
The perceived safety of gold saw the metal hit another all-time high at $3,128.06 an ounce.
Saudi Arabia’s consumer spending to stay resilient, experts say
Millennials and Gen Z consumers will continue driving demand for e-commerce and cross-border retail
Government spending and economic diversification are playing a vital role in stimulating consumer spending
Updated 31 March 2025
Nirmal Narayanan
RIYADH: Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia is expected to stay robust this year, driven by a youthful population and digitalization, according to multiple experts.
Speaking to Arab News, Sunil Kumar, CEO of supermarket chain Spinneys, said that consumer spending in the Kingdom is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 6.4 percent from 2022 to 2028, while UAE will see an expansion of 4.3 percent during the same period.
The views of Kumar align with the findings of a recent report published by global consulting firm AlixPartners which said Saudi Arabia’s consumer market is evolving rapidly, characterized by adaptability, shifting spending patterns, and resilience in the face of global economic challenges.
Spinneys’s CEO explained that as the Saudi and UAE economies continue to achieve growth, consumer confidence remains strong, fueling demand for premium products.
“Convenience is another important factor, with the accelerating penetration of aggregators, as well as proprietary e-commerce platforms like our own, making fresh, premium products quickly and easily accessible,” he said.
Spinneys opened its first Saudi store in June 2024, with 12 additional stores expected to open across the Kingdom by 2028. Spinneys
Factors driving consumer spending
Usman Iftikhar, principal in the retail and consumer goods practice for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman, told Arab News that strategic government investments, digital advancements, and tourism initiatives are some of the major factors that are driving the growth of consumer spending in the Middle East and North Africa.
Iftikhar added that the MENA region now has a dynamic and evolving marketplace, fostering increased demand for a wide range of goods and services.
“The region has a young and growing population, which drives demand for goods and services, particularly in sectors such as education, technology, and entertainment. For example, in Saudi Arabia, one of the largest markets in the MENA region, more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30,” said Iftikhar.
He added: “Government spending and economic diversification play a vital role in stimulating consumer spending. Many countries in the region are investing in infrastructure, tourism, and non-oil sectors, boosting employment and consumer confidence.”
The Oliver Wyman official added that increased internet penetration and smartphone adoption are fueling e-commerce growth in the region, and is reshaping how consumers shop.
Jim Liu, general manager of AliExpress for the GCC region, shared identical views and told Arab News that consumer spending growth in the MENA region is fueled by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and a digitally native, mobile-first population.
“Structural reforms, increased investments in digital infrastructure, and the rise of payment solutions are further enhancing online retail accessibility,” said Liu.
Speaking to Arab News in February, Ali Bailoun, regional general manager of Visa, also highlighted how consumer retail spending in the Kingdom is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with the share of e-commerce in the overall sector projected to reach 46 percent by 2030.
All these views align with Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transition toward a diversified, digitally-driven economy, with e-commerce playing a crucial role.
Sectors benefiting from increased consumer spending
Experts told Arab News that several sectors including electronics and gadgets, food and beverages, entertainment and leisure, and travel and tourism, will be the beneficiaries of increased consumer spending in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.
According to AlixPartners report, groceries and clothing categories are expected to dominate as key spending categories in 2025, with consumers prioritizing value-driven deals and savings.
Highlighting the growth of the entertainment sector in the Kingdom, the analysis added that 33 percent of Saudi consumers plan to increase spending on entertainment outside of the home, well above the 19 percent global average.
Usman Iftikhar, principal in the retail and consumer goods practice for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman. Supplied
“Entertainment and leisure activities are seeing increased demand as disposable incomes rise. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to boost household spending on entertainment from 2.9 percent to 6 percent by 2030, reflecting a growing appetite for cinemas, theme parks, and recreational activities,” said Iftikhar.
He added: “The travel and tourism sector is rebounding, with hospitality and airlines benefiting from renewed consumer interest.”
Kumar said that sustained economic growth and rising disposable incomes in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are having a very positive impact on grocery shopping.
“The fresh food segment continues to see especially strong demand, driven by a growing consumer preference for high-quality, healthy and sustainably sourced products. At Spinneys, fresh food accounted for more than 63 percent of sales in 2024, with standout performances by product categories including fresh fruit, premium berries and organic products,” added Kumar.
Liu said that strong economic policies are elevating business confidence in the region, with consumer spending expected to increase significantly in tech gadgets.
“At AliExpress, we see this trend reflected in high demand for tech gadgets, fashion, household electronics, and lifestyle products — categories where consumers are prioritizing quality, affordability, and convenience,” added Liu.
The impact of inflation
According to Oliver Wyman’s Iftikhar, inflation and global economic uncertainty are significantly affecting purchasing behavior among consumers, creating a sense of cautious optimism regarding overall spending.
Citing a survey carried out by his firm, Iftikhar said that 31 percent of households in Saudi Arabia reported a drop in income during 2024, with 11 percent experiencing declines of more than 50 percent.
The findings revealed that to save money, many consumers are changing their shopping behaviors, with 48 percent of those surveyed reporting comparing prices, and 46 percent actively looking for stores that offer lower prices.
“Retailers must adapt to these shifting behaviors to meet the evolving needs of a consumer base increasingly focused on maximizing value,” he added.
Kumar of Spinneys shared a different view and noted that the company is not seeing a slowdown in spending in response to inflation, with consumers instead preferring high-quality products, especially in the food sector.
Liu also shared similar views and said: “At AliExpress, we are seeing sustained growth in the region as more consumers turn to our platform for high-quality products at affordable prices — items they would typically pay more for elsewhere. This shift highlights the increasing importance of affordability, promotions, and personalized shopping experiences in maintaining customer trust and loyalty.”
Consumer spending: The future outlook
Iftikhar also outlined several key trends that will reshape the consumer spending pattern in the Middle East region over the next few years, with a particular focus on the rise of artificial intelligence.
“AI revolution is gaining traction, with over 50 percent of customers in the GCC expressing excitement about the potential of generative AI to enhance their online and in-store experiences. Generative AI can significantly reshape the consumer experience by enabling companies to tailor products and offerings more effectively,” said Iftikhar.
He added that personalization is becoming a key differentiator in consumer expectations, with more than 60 percent of customers interested in tailored promotions and recommendations.
Liu said that the future of consumer spending in MENA will be shaped by digital-first retail strategies, economic diversification, and a mobile-driven shopping culture.
“The region is undergoing a payment revolution, with digital wallets and alternative payment methods like buy now, pay later gaining significant traction. Quick commerce is emerging as a significant sector, and this growth is driven by demand for rapid delivery across non-grocery categories like beauty, pharma, electronics, and fashion,” said Liu.
The AliExpress official added that millennials and Gen Z consumers, who expect seamless, tech-enabled shopping experiences, will continue driving demand for e-commerce and cross-border retail.
Focusing on the future of the retail food industry in the region, Kumar said that consumer spending in the GCC will be shaped by health, sustainability and convenience.
He added that the region is witnessing a rising demand for whole food sources, high-protein and nutrient-dense foods, as consumers become more conscious of the effects of processed eatables.
“Convenience remains at the forefront of consumer preference, with functional beverages and nutrient-dense snacks gaining traction. However, we expect this to evolve beyond speed and ease – with consumers now seeking hyper-personalized options that deliver on health, flavor and sustainability,” said Kumar.
UAE reaches 26 trade agreements under economic partnership initiative
The deals come as free trade agreements across the GCC region on the rise
Updated 31 March 2025
Nirmal Narayanan
RIYADH: The UAE has signed five new trade deals so far in 2025, bringing the total number reached under its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement program to 26.
According to the state news agency WAM, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Kenya, as well as Ukraine and the Central African Republic, all signed deals in the first quarter of the year.
These agreements sit alongside those inked with countries such as Turkiye, India, and Indonesia since the CEPA program was launched in September 2021.
CEPA is a free trade agreement between two countries designed to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment, thereby facilitating stronger commercial ties between the participating parties.
The UAE is also in the final stages of negotiations with several major economies, including Japan, and the talks are expected to be concluded by the end of this year, the statement revealed.
According to WAM, the CEPAs are having a positive impact on the UAE’s goal to raise the total value of the non-oil foreign trade in goods to 4 trillion dirhams ($1.09 trillion) and to increase non-oil exports to 800 billion dirhams by the year 2031.
“The CEPA program has accelerated this upward trajectory, supporting progress toward the targets outlined in the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision,” said the statement.
The news agency further said that these agreements, signed over a period of less than four years, significantly expanded the country’s global trade network while creating new opportunities for the UAE’s private sector and businesses.
Alongside the six deals that have already come into force, 14 are undergoing technical and ratification procedures in preparation for implementation.
The report added that negotiations on another six agreements have been finalized, and the signings are expected to happen soon.
According to the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, the six CEPA deals that have come into force are with India, Israel, and Indonesia, as well as Turkiye, Cambodia, and Georgia.
The ministry added that another CEPA agreement with Costa Rica will come into force on April 1.
Following the CEPA agreement with India, which became effective in May 2022, non-oil trade between the UAE and the Asian nation grew by 20.5 percent, with the Emirates’ exports to India jumping by 75 percent by the end of 2024.
WAM added that trade with Turkiye rose by over 11 percent, with Indonesia seeing growth exceeding 15 percent, and Georgia recording a remarkable 56 percent increase since the implementation of CEPA.
The major beneficiaries of these CEPA agreements include sectors such as logistics, clean and renewable energy, advanced technology and applications, and financial services.
Other key sectors benefiting from these deals include green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems.
Free Trade Agreements across GCC region on the rise
UAE’s CEPA program comes as many Gulf nations are seeking to improve non-oil trade through free trade agreements.
In December, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Foreign Trade led the first round of negotiations for a deal between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Japan.
A month earlier, New Zealand entered into a free trade agreement with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary general of the GCC, said at that time that the agreement is expected to drive economic growth and development in both countries by facilitating trade, attracting investment, and creating new opportunities for businesses and industries.
In February, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed various ways to enhance bilateral ties, with discussions underway for a future free trade agreement.
Speaking at the time, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, the secretary of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said his government is keen to implement a broader India-GCC free trade agreement, and negotiations with Qatar are a first step in this process.
India is also on the road to finalize a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with Oman.
In January, Omani Commerce Minister Qais bin Mohammad Al-Yousef told Press Trust of India that the pact, which is expected to be finalized this year, could significantly boost two-way trade and investment ties between both countries.
The UK has also been negotiating with countries in the GCC since 2022 to establish a free trade agreement.
In November, its Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visited Dubai as a part of the European nation’s efforts to complete the talks.
A key economic partner for the region is China, and in September, the country’s Premier Li Qiang called for free trade negotiations between his country and the GCC nations to speed up.
He added that China is ready to further strengthen communication and coordination and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties, while also urging both sides to deepen cooperation in energy, investment, innovation, science and technology.
Gold soars to record high, eyes best quarter since 1986
Bullion up over 18 percent so far for the quarter
Trump expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2
Silver, platinum, palladium set for monthly gains
Updated 31 March 2025
Reuters
BENGALURU: Gold prices surged above $3,100 per ounce on Monday to a record high, as worries about potential inflation due to US tariffs set the safe-haven asset up for its strongest quarter since 1986.
Bullion continued its remarkable rally that has already seen the metal gain around 18 percent so far this year.
Spot gold jumped 1.1 percent to $3,117.43 per ounce by 12:35 p.m. Saudi time, having hit a record $3,128.06 earlier. US gold futures were up 1.1 percent to $3,149.60.
Bullion rose more than 27 percent last year as several bullish factors, including a favorable monetary policy backdrop and robust central bank buying, combined to send investors toward the safe-haven asset.
On technical charts, gold’s Relative Strength Index stands above 77, indicating the market is overbought, but analysts have said momentum has defied any standard logic of where prices are positioned.
“Gold’s bull run is the reflection of the anxiety around tariffs. The fears that these tariffs are going to be growth constraining, potentially leading to lower economic outcomes,” is supporting gold,” Nitesh Shah, commodities strategist at WisdomTree, said.
Trump is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2, while automobile tariffs will take effect on April 3.
A combination of other factors, including rate cuts bets, central bank purchases and demand for exchange-traded funds have all helped non-yielding bullion’s record run.
“Gold prices could be trading around $3,500 about this time next year and that reflects sentiment toward the metal remaining strong, primarily with all the geopolitical risks still there,” Shah said.
On the physical front, gold demand in India remained sluggish last week because of record high prices and as jewellers were busy closing accounts for the financial year, while most other Asian hubs also saw waning buying interest.
Spot silver rose 0.2 percent to $34.17 an ounce, platinum was up 1 percent to $993.15 and palladium gained 0.5 percent to $976.75. All three metals headed for monthly gains.
