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] Saudia's A321XLR deployment is integral to its broader fleet modernization and network expansion strategy aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. eplaneai
• [New] Saudi Arabia is still considering officially joining BRICS and will only be represented in Kazan at foreign minister level. Friedrich Naumann Foundation
• [New] The potential delivery of up to 200 Joby aircraft and related services valued at $1 billion is expected over the coming years. / Saudi Arabia Stocktwits
• [New] Saudi Arabia has confirmed plans for a 785 km electric high-speed rail link with neighboring Qatar, a project that could reshape and help decarbonize regional travel. Skift
• [New] Advanced markets exceeding 1%, such as Saudi Arabia, have integrated ESG goals into national strategies like Vision 2030. The Financial Express
• [New] By fostering partnerships across ideological and geopolitical divides, Saudi Arabia will continue its quest for becoming a regional fixer in 2025, aligning its diplomatic efforts with its strategic priority of achieving domestic economic transformation under Vision 2030. Medium
• [New] In line with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate digital transformation and financial inclusion. Middle East Business News and Information - mid-east.in
• [New] Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia are all expected to see massive increases in solar deployment in the next few years, thanks to their partnerships with Chinese firms. DCReport.org
• [New] Saudi Arabia has financially finalized plans to build five new solar projects and two new wind projects totaling 15 GW (15,000 MW) of capacity, to be done by mid-2028. The Weekly Anthropocene
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification programme depends substantially on oil revenue generation to fund alternative economic sector development, creating tension between short-term revenue optimization and long-term competitive positioning. Discovery Alert
• [New] Riyadh Air was founded in 2023 by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and is slated to begin commercial flights in the first half of 2026. SlashGear
• [New] The Middle East is experiencing a large flow of capital into data center development, driven by national strategies like Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the creation of regional cloud hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Baker McKenzie
• [New] Real assets represent the largest component of Saudi Arabia's overall wealth and are expected to reach $2.94 trillion by 2029, marking a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. ArabNews
• Once fully operational, air taxis in Saudi Arabia will drastically reduce the time it takes to travel between key urban areas. Travel And Tour World
• With a robust regulatory framework and demonstrated operational success, Saudi Arabia could set a global example of how to integrate next-generation air mobility into urban environments. Travel And Tour World
• In the years to come, Saudi Arabia's urban landscape could be drastically reshaped by the introduction of air taxis, setting a new standard for modern urban mobility. Travel And Tour World
• The successful implementation of air taxis will be a critical step in shaping the future of urban mobility in Saudi Arabia, bringing both economic and environmental benefits while enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. Travel And Tour World
• As technology continues to evolve and the regulatory environment matures, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions emerge in the coming years. / Saudi Arabia Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 29 December 2025