Country Profile

Home to an estimated 15.9% of the world’s proven oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is the single largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa. According to the Ministry of Finance, GDP grew by 9.3% to $746bn in 2013. While oil income is expected to continue to account for the majority of government revenues for the foreseeable future, the non-oil sector has expanded significantly in recent decades. Saudi Arabia is a major player in the region and a close ally to many of the world’s leading powers. This chapter contains interviews with Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor, Riyadh Region; Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor, Eastern Province; Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General, GCC; and a viewpoint from Enda Kenny, Prime Minister of Ireland.