Analysis

Regulatory reforms strengthen Saudi Arabia's private participation
OBG
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The private sector’s role in Saudi Arabia’s health care has increased significantly in recent years, supported by favourable national policies and regulatory reform. The Kingdom is actively encouraging greater private participation to reduce the financial burden on the government and improve health care outcomes. This approach has driven a rise in public-private partnerships (PPPs) across multiple…

Analysis

Decentralised financing plays important role in GCC's diversification programmes
OBG
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GCC countries are increasingly embracing decentralised finance (DeFi) and attracting cryptocurrency firms as they seek to harness financial technology (fintech) innovation, expand services and boost financial inclusion. DeFi, characterised by peer-to-peer financial services without central authorities, is seen as a means for economic diversification and the adoption of Web3 technologies like blockchain,…

Analysis

Digital tools create better health care access for underserved areas
OBG
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After weathering the volatility of the pandemic era, the global digital health ecosystem is settling into structural growth — recalibrating its priorities from rapid scale to long-term and sustainable profitability. Venture capital funding for the sector has stabilised significantly, with approximately $25.1bn in 2024 compared to its peak of $57bn in 2021. This shift towards sustainable enterprises…

Analysis

Infrastructure investment underpins tourism growth in Saudi Arabia
OBG
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The government positioned tourism as a priority sector in Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s long-term development roadmap, aimed at driving economic diversification and reducing the national reliance on fossil fuel revenue. Cross-government support for the National Tourism Strategy (NTS) and associated legislation has helped accelerate sectoral expansion. Meanwhile, the promotion of Saudi Arabia to a diverse…

Analysis

Centralised digital platform reshapes GCC travel ecosystem
OBG
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The travel and tourism sector contributed $247.1bn to GCC countries’ GDP in 2024, heralding a shift within the region from a phase of post-pandemic recovery to one of global leadership. This figure represents a 31.9% increase over 2019 levels, underscoring the success of large-scale diversification strategies across the bloc. The sector is on a trajectory to contribute an estimated $371.2bn to the…

Analysis

Emerging travel destinations leverage technology advancements in tourism
OBG
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As emerging markets expand their tourism offerings and diversify visitor source markets, the sector is increasingly shaped by digitalisation, sustainability and long-term resilience planning. Governments and private operators are leveraging technology to improve visitor experiences, manage capacity and align tourism development with emissions-reduction targets, reflecting a shift towards value-driven…

Analysis

Vocational training programmes emphasise women’s participation in Saudi Arabia
OBG
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More women employees are joining workplaces and boardrooms across the GCC, with gender equality emerging as a central objective of a wider regional push to strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Governments, regulators and private sector actors are increasingly aligning policy reform with philanthropic initiatives designed to support women’s economic participation, leadership…

Analysis

Alternative energy demand in Saudi Arabia encourages shift from hydrocarbons
OBG
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The energy transition advanced in 2023 despite geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures that maintained elevated energy prices globally. Prices fell from 2022’s historic peaks but remained higher than pre-2020 levels, potentially signalling a turning point in the shift from hydrocarbon dependence toward lower-cost clean energy alternatives. Hydrocarbons’ uneven…

Overview

Skilled IT workforces and digital governance become MENA's growth drivers
OBG
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The MENA region is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with total IT spending projected to reach $169bn by 2026. This represents an 8.9% increase over the previous year, reflecting a structural pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI) integrated infrastructure across major regional economies. A primary driver of this growth is the rapid expansion of data centre systems, which is expected…

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's AI data centres build innovation global powerhouse
OBG
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The year 2025 was pivotal for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to establish itself not only as a regional but as an international centre for artificial intelligence (AI) and computational power. The Kingdom plans to leverage its abundant energy resources – including oil, natural gas and expanding solar capacity – to support large-scale data centres required to power the computational demands of advanced…