Saudi Arabia

Overview

Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer whose energy sector remains central to exports and public finances. Its Vision 2030 programme seeks to broaden the economy through investment in private enterprise, tourism, logistics, manufacturing and other non-oil activities.

Religious tourism has long brought visitors to the kingdom, alongside newer leisure and cultural developments. Expanding employment and skills, managing the cost and pace of large projects, and reducing exposure to oil-price cycles are important tests of the diversification strategy.

On the rise

Tourism, logistics and new industrial investment could widen Saudi Arabia's economic base — with lasting private-sector productivity and employment more important than the scale of individual projects.