One of the more interesting developments in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector in 2015-16 is the attention being paid by the regulator to the Kingdom’s nascent mortgage industry. As with many economies in the region, mortgages have traditionally played only a small part in the financial workings of the housing market, due largely to the precepts...
With three of its domestically licensed institutions in the regional top 10 in terms of net assets, Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is one of the largest and most vibrant in the Middle East. Historically it has thrived on the rise of high-value lending derived from the government’s infrastructure programmes, but recent years have also seen local...
When the price of crude oil began its decline in mid-2014, banking regulators across the GCC examined the liquidity in their respective banking sectors. The centrality of hydrocarbons activity in regional economies means that large alterations to spot prices and futures have the potential to significantly affect the liquidity, and therefore...
After recording consecutive declines for seven years, the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Saudi Arabia returned to growth in 2015, increasing by 1.6% to $8.1bn, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development. The declining trend in FDI inflows in recent years has represented a reversal of the surge in inward FDI that...
The question of Saudi Arabia’s economic relationships with global markets has become a prominent one in 2016. Historically, the Kingdom has benefitted greatly from its ability to ship its hydrocarbons resources to consumers across the world, while its strong economic growth over recent decades has meant that it has also become a significant...
The drop in global energy prices from mid-2014 has had a significant impact on the member states of the GCC, which together produce 20% of the world’s crude oil. Hydrocarbons are the basis for the region’s economies, and the drop in oil revenues has driven all six GCC nations into budget deficits. While the large reserves built up during the...
Stay updated on how some of the world’s most promising markets are being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and what actions governments and private businesses are taking to mitigate challenges and ensure their long-term growth story continues.
Register now and also receive a complimentary 2-month licence to the OBG Research Terminal.
Register Here×