Economy

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The guide contains listings of some of the leading hotels and resorts in Saudi Arabia, as well as contact information for key government offices and relevant services. It also features useful tips and information for visitors.

Following two years of double-digit industrial growth in 2010 and 2011, non-oil output rose by 4.9% in 2012 and 4.7% in 2013. The Kingdom may still have a negative trade balance for industry – with exports of $35.08bn and imports of $103.35bn in 2012 – but with access to raw materials set to expand, foreign investors are showing interest in lighter segments. With the government making room for...

One of the largest in the GCC, Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry is expanding at a rate which some believe will soon see it surpass the UAE to claim the title of regional leader. 33 insurers are currently licensed to operate in the Saudi market, while a further three have been approved for establishment. This makes for a crowded sector, with intense competition played out largely in the arena...

As the largest and most liquid bourse in the MENA region, the Saudi Stock Exchange accounts for around 50% of the GCC equity market. Increasing investor appetite, sustained earnings growth by Saudi companies and the relatively robust nature of the Kingdom’s economy make for a positive outlook for the exchange. Although still at a relatively early stage of development, the bourse has begun to...