Saudi Arabia, China explore private sector investment opportunities during Beijing meeting

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product expanded by 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, marking its highest growth in two years, official data showed.

According to flash estimates from the General Authority for Statistics, the Kingdom’s non-oil activities grew by 4.6 percent year on year in the fourth quarter, reflecting ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.

The report also noted that oil activities rose by 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2023, while government activities expanded by 2.2 percent.

Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth aligns with the broader Middle East trend, where countries are steadily advancing economic diversification. The UAE’s central bank projects 4 percent GDP growth in 2024, while Bahrain and Qatar reported year-on-year expansions of 2.1 percent and 2 percent, respectively, in the third quarter. Qatar’s full-year GDP grew by 1.7 percent, driven by a 1.9 percent rise in non-hydrocarbon activities.

“The results also showed that seasonally adjusted real GDP increased by 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of the same year,” GASTAT stated.

Strengthening the non-oil sector remains a key goal under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as the Kingdom continues efforts to reduce its dependence on oil revenues and drive sustainable economic growth.

Compared to the third quarter, non-oil activities in the Kingdom grew by 1.3 percent, while government activities rose by 0.3 percent. However, oil activities witnessed a quarterly decline of 1.5 percent.

For the full year 2024, Saudi Arabia’s GDP expanded by 1.3 percent compared to 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a 4.3 percent rise in non-oil activities, underscoring the Kingdom’s focus on economic diversification.

Government activities recorded a 2.6 percent annual increase, while oil activities contracted by 4.5 percent due to OPEC+ output cuts, which have impacted production levels.

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund projected that Saudi Arabia’s economy will grow by 3.3 percent in 2025 and 4.1 percent in 2026. These projections reflect shifts in the global economic landscape, with oil production adjustments playing a key role in influencing near-term growth expectations.

A December report from Mastercard Economics also highlighted the robust expansion of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector. The analysis forecast that the Kingdom’s GDP will grow by 3.7 percent year on year in 2025, largely driven by increased non-oil activities.

The Mastercard report added that economic diversification efforts will remain a priority in 2025, with the government leveraging its strong fiscal position to finance infrastructure development and new investment opportunities.

RIYADH: The Diriyah project is experiencing strong success in residential real estate sales and is now targeting mid-level buyers, said a top executive. 

On the final day of the Real Estate Future Forum, Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Co., highlighted the rapid growth of the area’s residential and commercial property market, emphasizing the strong demand for homes.

He also spoke about the continued expansion of Diriyah’s business landscape, with plans to open Zallal in April, which will feature 23 new businesses, further boosting the area’s appeal. 

These developments are a key part of a strategy to position the destination — one of Saudi Arabia’s five giga-projects supported by the Public Investment Fund — as both a residential and commercial hub, contributing to the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030. 

“I’m thrilled to say that we’re selling a lot of our residential real estate,” Inzerillo said, adding that Diriyah will offer “several hundred units for the mid-level buyer” at the upcoming Cityscape event in November, catering to a broader range of potential homeowners. 

Beyond real estate, Inzerillo talked up the area’s historical and cultural importance to Saudi Arabia, saying: “Diriyah is the house of Al-Saud, the source of our national identity and pride. 

“What makes us unique is that we are the celebration of culture and heritage.” 

Inzerillo also discussed Diriyah’s spiritual importance, noting that one of its crowning achievements is providing a welcoming environment for religious travelers from around the world. 

“One of the greatest things in the world is to allow 2 billion Muslims to feel welcomed to fulfill pilgrimage to the two holy cities,” he said. 

The CEO shared that 14 percent of his workforce, now totaling 3,200 employees, are from Diriyah’s local community. 

Inzerillo noted the completion of 9 km of parks, which contributes to the area’s green spaces and makes it more attractive to residents and visitors. He also highlighted construction safety milestones, stating that Diriyah had logged 209 million construction man-hours without a fatality. 

Reflecting on the Kingdom’s increasing international appeal, Inzerillo said: “People from all over the world are coming to see Saudi, and they’re going back happy.” 

The CEO concluded by expressing confidence in the Kingdom’s future capabilities, stating: “What I would say for sure by 2030, even though I believe it now, is that the Kingdom, with its leadership now, is capable of hosting any global event in any way and be the best host for that thing.”