Global Scans · Saudi Arabia · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: Saudi Arabia could see some tumultuous economic policy changes provoked by the lower oil price era and the emerging challenge from renewable energies. It also faces threats from Middle East turmoil.

• [New] KSA: Demand in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 12.2% through 2036, supported by Vision 2030 initiatives, rapid expansion of smart cities, large-scale renewable energy investments, and increasing adoption of digital sustainability and carbon management solutions. FactMr
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has deliberately incorporated Chinese participation as a hedge against exclusive dependence on Western economic partnerships. KBA13 INSIGHT
• [New] Supported by robust institutions and reform momentum, the International Monetary Fund expects Saudi Arabia to maintain growth of around 3.1% in 2026, reinforcing a positive medium-term outlook despite short-term fluctuations. MUFG Research
• [New] The UAE and Saudi Arabia are among the very few producers globally, not just within OPEC, that maintained meaningful volumes of unused productive capacity prior to the current regional disruption environment. Discovery Alert
• [New] Top OPEC + producer Saudi Arabia's quota will rise to 10.291 million barrels per day in June under the - agreement, far above actual production. Al Jazeera
• [New] The development strategies of GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the UAE's National Development Strategy for the Next 50 Years, and Oman's Vision 2040 are closely aligned with China's high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, achieving a series of tangible results. CCG Update - Center for China and Globalization
• [New] Through Vision 2030 and its Hydrogen Strategy, Saudi Arabia aims to capture over 10% of the global hydrogen trade by the mid-2030s. Precedence Research
• [New] PIF is committed to developing 70% of Saudi Arabia's renewable energy capacity target by 2030. Uniqus
• [New] Germany is investing billions toward AI independence, France has embedded it into its national strategy, and Saudi Arabia has made it a pillar of Vision 2030. WRAL
• [New] Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, heritage has become a pillar of economic diversification, with AlUla emerging as a flagship cultural destination. ISPR
• [New] As fraud risk rises globally, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of fraud prevention. Security MEA
• [New] Saudi Arabia has solidified its position as the largest trading partner within the BRICS group, underscoring the potential for robust economic collaboration between the GCC and BRICS nations. CCG Update - Center for China and Globalization

Last updated: 18 May 2026