The Middle East

Given the strong demand for housing in Saudi Arabia, other segments of the real estate market are often overlooked. However, as with the residential market, the fundamental demand conditions seem to favour growth across all segments of the market. While it has been a tough 24 months for the office sector, long-term development prospects look...

Like many other nations looking to diversify their economies, Saudi Arabia has chosen to take advantage of its natural resources to fuel development. Yet this economic growth is not without consequences. These heavy industries, including petrochemical factories, oil refineries and mineral smelters, all have associated environmental costs in the long run.

Given the prevalence of family businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), local families may face a decision on how to diversify the ownership of their business to introduce new ideas, raise capital for growth or exit their investment. The challenge lies in considering the best method of diversification for each business.

The number of hotel rooms in Saudi Arabia is set to increase dramatically as international hotel chains expand their presence and others enter the market for the first time. Investors are also increasingly looking at the middle and lower ends of the market, which have traditionally been left to local operators.

Bridging the gap between secondary school graduates and university alumni, technical and vocational colleges and training programmes are a crucial component of the country’s drive to get more Saudis off the unemployment roster and into the workforce. Recognising the importance of this educational segment, the government has devoted SR23.14bn ($6...