IMF commends Saudi housing program as effectively contributing to social, economic stability

IMF commends Saudi housing program as effectively contributing to social, economic stability
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Updated 05 September 2024
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IMF commends Saudi housing program as effectively contributing to social, economic stability

IMF commends Saudi housing program as effectively contributing to social, economic stability
  • Sakani aims to raise the homeownership rate in the Kingdom to 70% by 2030
  • Number of households in the Kingdom that purchased their first homes reached 25,391 in the first three months of the year

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Housing Program is effectively contributing to social and economic stability for citizens amid rapid growth, according to the International Monetary Fund.

In its report following the conclusion of the Article IV Consultation 2024, the IMF said that the program, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, has achieved several tangible successes, including a notable increase in homeownership rates to approximately 64 percent, with 90 percent service satisfaction among beneficiaries, and a diverse range of available housing options.

The report said that the Saudi economy is experiencing rapid growth, with a strong financial position, and highlighted that the Kingdom was the fastest-growing economy in the G20 group of nations in 2022. It commended the progress made toward achieving set targets, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The housing sector in Saudi Arabia has experienced significant transformation in recent years, propelled by the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.

The Housing Program has launched several innovative initiatives offering housing and financing solutions to meet citizens’ needs. This includes the Sakani program under the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, financing options provided by the Real Estate Development Fund, regulations established by the Real Estate General Authority, and the residential projects and suburbs developed by the National Housing Co.

These achievements reflect the Saudi leadership’s commitment to providing adequate housing for citizens as a top priority, thereby contributing to the continued growth of the country’s non-oil gross domestic product.

During the first quarter of 2024, Sakani’s housing options benefited 32,343 Saudi families, representing a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year.

In partnership with the Real Estate Development Fund and financial institutions, Sakani offers various housing support packages to encourage first-time homebuyers. This includes non-refundable financial assistance of SR100,000 ($26,659) or SR150,000.

The number of households in the Kingdom that purchased their first homes reached 25,391 in the first three months of the year, reflecting Sakani’s goal of providing diverse residential options and financial solutions.

Established in 2017 by the Saudi Ministry of Housing and the Real Estate Development Fund, Sakani aims to raise the homeownership rate in the Kingdom to 70 percent by 2030, aligning with the Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

Sakani’s figures indicate that 12,184 households benefited from the program in March, with 9,381 Saudi families securing their first residence.

In January, Sakani reported that over 100,000 Saudi families benefited from the initiative in 2023, with 98,475 of these families acquiring their first home during the year.


Saudi energy minister takes part in G20 meetings in Brazil

Saudi energy minister takes part in G20 meetings in Brazil
Updated 05 October 2024
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Saudi energy minister takes part in G20 meetings in Brazil

Saudi energy minister takes part in G20 meetings in Brazil

RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth, energy security, and climate change mitigation as he met with G20 counterparts in Brazil, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdulaziz joined the 7th Energy Transitions Working Group, the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial, and the 9th Mission Innovation Ministerial meetings.
Sustainable energy policies, just energy transitions, and cooperation to address climate change were discussed at the gatherings.

The last meeting, in Foz do Iguaçu, concluded on Friday.

Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the Kingdom’s leadership in carbon technologies and its ambition to become a global leader in circular carbon economy technologies and clean energy production and export.
The Kingdom is progressing well to up its renewable energy capacity to 44 gigawatts by the end of 2024.
Saudi Arabia is also establishing a hydrogen production center in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City and launching a large-scale carbon capture and storage project with an annual capacity of 9 million tons by 2027.
The Saudi initiative line up with the G20 goals of promoting  sustainable energy transitions, energy security, and environmental sustainability.


Saudi Arabia’s official reserves highest in 21 months at $470bn

Saudi Arabia’s official reserves highest in 21 months at $470bn
Updated 04 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s official reserves highest in 21 months at $470bn

Saudi Arabia’s official reserves highest in 21 months at $470bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s official reserve assets reached SR1.76 trillion ($469.83 billion) in August, the highest in 21 months and a 10 percent increase year-on-year, according to recent data.

Figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, show these holdings include monetary gold, special drawing rights, the International Monetary Fund’s reserve position, and foreign reserves. 

The latter, comprising currency and deposits abroad as well as investments in foreign securities, made up 95 percent of the total, amounting to SR1.67 trillion in August. This category led the growth with 10.62 percent increase during this period. 

August data also showed that special drawing rights, making up 5 percent of the total at SR79.35 billion, increased by 2 percent. 

Created by the IMF to supplement member countries’ official reserves, SDRs derive their value from a basket of major currencies, including the US dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling. They can be exchanged among governments for freely usable currencies when needed. 

SDRs provide additional liquidity, stabilize exchange rates, act as a unit of account, and facilitate international trade and financial stability. 

The IMF reserve position totaled around SR13 billion, but decreased by 9 percent during this period. This category represents the amount a country can draw from the IMF without conditions. 

Saudi Arabia’s reserves, which include foreign exchange holdings, are among the highest in the world. According to Fitch Ratings, the Kingdom’s reserve coverage ratio, as of February, stood at 16.5 months of current external payments.

This high ratio is a testament to the Kingdom’s ability to meet its external financial obligations for an extended period, ensuring that the country remains resilient in the face of global economic uncertainties.

This also serves as a financial buffer, enabling it to navigate external pressures, such as fluctuations in oil prices, geopolitical tensions, or shifts in global market dynamics.

They also also play a key role in enhancing investor confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economy, as they signal the government’s capacity to meet its obligations and maintain economic stability.

For international investors, the combination of high reserves, a diversified economy, and strong fiscal management make Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for investment.

In addition to its fiscal strength, Saudi Arabia benefits from a high level of government and debt ratings which allow the Kingdom to access global capital markets with ease, raising funds through bond issuances and sukuk at competitive rates.

This financial flexibility ensures that the country can continue to finance its ambitious Vision 2030 projects, such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and the development of new urban centers, without disrupting its overall economic stability.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative expansionary strategy as part of its Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy away from its heavy reliance on oil revenues.

Sectors such as tourism, technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy are considered pivotal to the Kingdom’s long-term economic stability and require substantial investment to meet the Vision’s targets. 

As a result, government expenditures have risen significantly in recent years, and forecasts suggest the possibility of a fiscal deficit in the medium term as spending continues to expand.

Despite these spending challenges, Saudi Arabia is in a strong fiscal position. The Kingdom’s favorable government and debt ratings, combined with substantial foreign reserves, allow the country to manage the increased expenditures and potential deficits effectively.

Saudi Arabia has ample room to raise debt through various financial instruments, such as bonds and sukuk, to fund its large-scale development projects without encountering significant financial stress.

This capability has been further supported by the government’s prudent fiscal management, which continues to focus on maintaining the country’s overall economic health while ensuring that Vision 2030 projects are adequately financed.

The Ministry of Finance, in its pre-budget 2025 report, emphasized that the government intends to take advantage of favorable market conditions to implement alternative financing activities that can stimulate economic growth.

The strategy behind this approach is not only to provide the necessary funding for key projects but also to diversify the Kingdom’s financing channels.

By doing so, the government aims to maintain market efficiency, deepen its financial markets, and attract new investors, both domestically and internationally.

Moreover, the government’s fiscal policy is designed to strengthen its financial position by maintaining safe levels of reserves, which are essential for protecting the economy against external shocks.


Oil Updates – prices set for 10% weekly rise as Middle East tensions heat up

Oil Updates – prices set for 10% weekly rise as Middle East tensions heat up
Updated 04 October 2024
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Oil Updates – prices set for 10% weekly rise as Middle East tensions heat up

Oil Updates – prices set for 10% weekly rise as Middle East tensions heat up

LONDON: Oil prices rose sharply on Friday, and were on track for 10 percent weekly gains as investors weighed the prospect of a wider Middle East conflict disrupting crude flows after President Biden said the US was discussing an Israeli attack on Iranian oil facilities.

Brent crude futures were up $1.09, or 1.4 percent, at $78.71 a barrel, as of 2:20 p.m Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $1.08, also 1.5 percent, at $74.79 a barrel.

“While Iran has ‘saved face’ by its rocket attack on Israel on Tuesday, fears are growing that Israel might target Iranian oil infrastructure under its response, which could provoke further retaliation dragging neighboring states into the conflict,” Panmure Gordon analyst Ashley Kelty said.

The US is discussing whether it would support Israel strikes on Iran’s oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran’s missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said on Thursday, while Israel’s military hit Beirut with new airstrikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Biden said later in the day on Thursday he would not negotiate in public when asked if he had urged Israel not to attack Iran’s oil facilities.

Biden’s comments contributed to a 5 percent rally in oil prices on Thursday, as Israel weighs its options after arch-foe Iran launched its largest-ever assault on Tuesday.

“The market had already had a substantial amount of short positioning and low amounts of net length in the market – leaving the market prone to price spikes higher,” StoneX analyst Alex Hodes said.

Concerns over oil supply that drove up prices earlier in the week have also been tempered by OPEC’s spare production capacity and the fact that global crude supplies have yet to be disrupted by the Middle East unrest.

Meanwhile, Libya’s eastern-based government and Tripoli-based National Oil Corp. announced on Thursday the reopening of all oilfields and export terminals after a dispute over leadership of the central bank was resolved, ending a crisis that had heavily reduced oil production.

This would allow the country to more than double its production levels, restoring them to about 1.2 million bpd.


How AI is transforming the banking industry and leading the fight against fraud

How AI is transforming the banking industry and leading the fight against fraud
Updated 03 October 2024
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How AI is transforming the banking industry and leading the fight against fraud

How AI is transforming the banking industry and leading the fight against fraud
  • Banks in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are adopting AI-driven programs to help improve accuracy, efficiency, and security
  • AI is already facilitating faster decision-making and personalized services, boosting customer satisfaction and driving innovation

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is transforming the banking industry by creating seamless customer experiences, automatically detecting fraudulent activity, and completing time-consuming tasks normally performed by humans.

According to a report published this year by McKinsey, generative AI could add between $200 billion and $340 billion a year in value across the global banking sector, largely through increased productivity.

Earlier this year, Riyad Bank announced the launch of its new “Center of Intelligence,” which will introduce AI technologies and services to the Saudi banking sector.

Using machine learning and modeling, the center will offer a cutting-edge environment for AI-driven research, innovation and analysis. It will also use machine-learning techniques and solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the bank’s investments and operations.

Mazen Pharaon, chief digital officer at Riyad Bank, called AI “a strategic asset and game changer” for the industry.

“It’s also instrumental in helping us offer exceptional financial services to our customers and financial performance to our shareholders,” he told Arab News.

AI offers significant advantages over traditional, human-led methods, including enhanced efficiency, accuracy and scalability, Pharaon said.

“It enables us to process large volumes of data rapidly, delivering insights that would be challenging to obtain through conventional techniques.

“AI also facilitates accelerated decision-making and personalized services, boosting customer satisfaction and driving innovation.

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“Additionally, AI helps us identify new business opportunities, reducing costs and improving risk management by identifying potential issues before they escalate.”

Money management has not been entirely handed over to the machines, however. AI-driven automated decisions at Riyad Bank are complemented by human oversight to guarantee accountability and ethical compliance.

“While AI excels at processing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns at scale, our experts are involved in reviewing and validating key decisions and their expected impact,” Pharaon said.

“This hybrid approach allows us to leverage AI’s power while preserving the essential human supervision and oversight in banking.”

Riyad Bank’s long-term vision is to extend AI across all business areas.

“Our aspiration at Riyad is to embed the use of AI, data science and advanced analytics in the bank’s DNA and overall processes,” Pharaon said.

Mashreq Bank, a privately owned bank based in the UAE, also uses AI-backed digital solutions, which analyze customer data to provide personalized financial recommendations and insights across various platforms.

Fernando Morillo, the group head of retail banking at Mashreq, believes AI will be integral to the future of banking services.

“We utilize AI in various ways to enhance customer experience and streamline operations,” Morillo told Arab News.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AI could add up to $340 billion annually to the global banking sector through increased productivity.

• Riyad Bank’s ‘Center of Intelligence’ will introduce AI technologies to enhance research, investments and operational efficiency.

•AI-backed digital solutions at Mashreq Bank improve customer experience, offer personalized financial advice and detect fraudulent activity.

“We have launched a chatbot in the UAE, which is also being rolled out to other markets. This AI-powered chatbot can understand customer intent, translate it into actions, and provide 24/7 support.

“Our AI-backed chatbot has the ability to handle more than 80 different scenarios, anticipating customer needs and proactively offering solutions.”

Because data protection is a growing concern for every business, Mashreq offers advanced encryption techniques to ensure secure data-sharing protocols, and conducts regular security audits to safeguard customers’ information.

“Additionally, we implement rigorous testing and validation of our algorithms to ensure they meet ethical standards and regulatory requirements.”

Mashreq Bank uses AI-backed digital solutions. (Supplied)

Morillo said the ability of machine-learning models to continuously adapt to recognize new fraud tactics significantly reduces the risk of fraudulent activities and enhances overall security for customers.

“AI algorithms help us in analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate fraudulent activity,” he said. “This allows us to detect suspicious transactions, prevent fraudulent account openings, and reduce false positives.”

But Morillo does not believe that AI will replace humans entirely. Indeed, employees will still be needed to review AI activities and make adjustments as needed.

“While AI can provide insights, recommendations, and even decisions, ultimately humans supervise these systems to ensure decisions are fair, accurate, and compliant,” he said.

“This oversight is essential for maintaining accountability and addressing any ethical concerns that may arise.”

 


ACWA Power joins COP29 as energy and water partner

ACWA Power joins COP29 as energy and water partner
Updated 03 October 2024
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ACWA Power joins COP29 as energy and water partner

ACWA Power joins COP29 as energy and water partner

RIYADH: ACWA Power, a developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants, joined COP29 as an energy and water partner, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable practices in the renewable energy landscape.
Along with ACWA Power’s role as a partner at the summit in Azerbaijan, the company will participate in the event’s Green Zone as an innovative leader in the energy sector.
The zone will host a variety of global businesses presenting climate-friendly solutions, serving as a dedicated space for private sectors.
The objective for ACWA Power at the global conference is utilizing the opportunity to create a platform for collaborations with other global industries, potential partners, and climate advocates, thereby fostering progress in the energy transition initiatives.
As the largest private water desalination provider in the world, ACWA Power is at the head of green hydrogen development. It also plays a critical role in the global energy transition.
“We believe that tackling this global challenge demands a paradigm shift in how we provide water and energy to our world. We must act fast to continue the transition away from fossil fuels, while providing reliable, competitive and sustainable supplies,” said Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power.
“It is with this focus that we deliver solutions that contribute to Net Zero goals and long-term climate ambitions, in a just and inclusive manner. Celebrating COP29 in Azerbaijan is of particular significance.”

He concluded: “Today, the country has the potential to turn into a bridge between Central Asia and Europe for new green sources of power and green molecules, technologies where ACWA Power has reached the most competitive costs and highest reliability in the world.”
ACWA Power, established in 2004, expanded its operations to various countries in the region including in Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Saudi company aligns its strategies with the UN climate change objectives.

Partners at COP 29 will have opportunities to participate in global climate policies, showcase sustainability efforts, and support climate action in their key business areas.