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Saudi Arabia sees medium-term non-oil growth at over 5%, below previous quote

Saudi Arabia's nonoil growth is expected to come in above 5% in the medium term, Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan stated on Monday, slightly lower than the 6% figure previously predicted, however likely to outperform the broader region this year.

If you take a look at the non-oil GDP, it is growing at extremely healthy numbers: 4% and north of 4%. We are expecting 5%- plus in the medium term, Jadaan informed delegates at the Saudi Capital Markets Forum in Riyadh. That is extremely strong growth.

The world's top oil exporter is speeding up plans to diversify its economy far from oil under a plan known as Vision 2030. It aims to develop sectors such as tourist and industry, broaden the economic sector and produce tasks.

Non-oil activities greatly surpassed oil sector growth last year, raising overall development which had slowed sharply on the back of cuts to oil production and lower costs.

The International Monetary Fund in January forecast non-oil growth in the oil and gas exporting Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC) mentions - of which Saudi Arabia is a member - at listed below 4%. this year, projecting 3.9% in 2024 and 4% in 2025.

The

IMF

likewise slashed its 2024 GDP development projection for the kingdom. to 2.7% however stated that non-oil growth was still expected to. remain robust.

Jadaan had actually said in October that non-oil GDP was expected to. grow by around 6% in 2023 and beyond, perhaps to 2030.

Non-oil GDP grew 4.6% in 2023, while total GDP contracted. 0.9%.

The federal government expects greater costs in the coming years,. which analysts have actually said will drive domestic development and assistance. non-oil GDP however will likewise tilt the kingdom into a financial deficit. of about 2% this year.

Jadaan stated Saudi Arabia's financial and social reforms -. consisting of significantly narrowing financial deficits - had enabled. it to be better geared up to deal with external shocks such as. the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical dangers.

We transform socially. We transform financially. We. transform in financial policy, where we brought all the budget. deficits down from 15% to 2% or perhaps less than that. That is how. a country becomes more durable and deals with these shocks,. he said in Riyadh.

(source: Reuters)