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] Ukraine says it has now signed deals with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar - all hit by Iranian missiles and drones in recent weeks - to share drone expertise and technology, tightening alliances and benefitting from business - and it hopes defence deals - with wealthy US-allied countries. BBC News
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative has spurred investments in entertainment and hospitality infrastructure, including world-class resorts with expansive pool facilities. Market Data Forecast
• [New] We have now secured over 240m of contracts to provide post-tensioning services for hybrid wind towers with key customers in Europe and have significant bid opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Asia in the renewables sector. GlobeNewswire
• [New] The United Arab Emirates' shock exit from the oil cartel on Tuesday after 60 years is expected to weaken the alliance, which under the leadership of Saudi Arabia has helped to soothe volatility in the global oil market for decades. The Guardian
• [New] With the UAE's interests now diverging from Saudi Arabia's, we could well see the emergence of a new rival group of oil-producing countries aligned with the US. Spiked
• [New] The cashback market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by 9.0% annually, reaching US$ 2.41 billion by 2026. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - a $1 trillion sovereign fund - has poured billions into entertainment as part of the Vision 2030 initiative to diversify beyond oil. Ticket Fairy
• [New] With new manufacturing facilities planned in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the Middle East is now expected to add more than 18 GW of onshore wind capacity between 2026 and 2030. Global Wind Energy Council
• [New] Saudi Arabia's strengthened essential cybersecurity controls and the UAE's critical infrastructure and cloud security policies are creating stronger demand for advanced threat protection across public-sector and enterprise environments. OGAnalysis
• [New] The reduction of trade tariffs in India and the rapid expansion of the luxury market in Saudi Arabia contribute meaningfully to expected growth in the later years. The Valuation Framework
• [New] Fiscal balances in the MENA region will continue to record deficits in 2026-27 (after posting a surplus 0.2% of GDP in 2023), with Saudi Arabia running fiscal deficits (3.4% in 2026-27 though lower than 5.8% in 2025). Nasser Saidi & Associates
• [New] Saudi Arabia is pressing the United States to drop its blockade and return to the negotiating table, fearing Iran could retaliate by disrupting the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route in the Red Sea. Just Security
• [New] Shares of Chinese chemical manufacturers surged on Tuesday after a missile attack targeted Jubail, Saudi Arabia's largest industrial city, threatening a key hub for global petrochemical production and driving international buyers to seek alternative suppliers. Emerging Market Skeptic
• [New] In response to supply chain fragility, Saudi Arabia has fully restored its East-West pipeline to 7 million barrels per day, a vital move for Red Sea oil exports, while Qatar simultaneously announced the return to normal maritime navigation in its own waters following earlier disruptions. Medium
• [New] The oil market considers spare production capacity to understand supply risk, but nearly all the world's spare capacity is in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Brookings
• [New] In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, healthcare automation is a Vision 2030 infrastructure priority, creating immediate government and private sector demand. Decipher Zone
• [New] The aggressive expansion into new markets such as Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, and especially India as import tariffs fall away, creates substantial new upside that can eventually offset the slowdown in China. The Valuation Framework
• [New] Saudi Arabia and UAE currently hold approximately 1.8 million bpd of genuine spare capacity - production that could be brought online within 90 days and sustained for extended periods. Kingdom Exploration
• [New] The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development plays a crucial role in ensuring economic and social stability, improving quality of life for citizens and mitigating social risks. / Saudi Arabia BTI 2026

Last updated: 04 May 2026