Trade and economic growth
This strong relationship has translated into tangible economic achievements. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Saudi Arabia reached Dh91 billion in the first half of 2025, compared to Dh151.5 billion in the whole of 2024.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has rolled out wide-ranging developmental, economic and cultural initiatives under its Vision 2030 reforms, further cementing its role as a regional and global economic leader.
The IMF raised its 2025 growth forecast for the Kingdom to 3.6 per cent, citing a recovery in oil production and continued non-oil sector growth above 3.4 per cent. Saudi unemployment dropped to a historic low of 6.3 per cent in Q1, while net FDI surged 44 per cent year-on-year to SR22.2 billion. Total investment inflows reached SR24 billion in Q1, up 24 per cent from the same period in 2024. Female labour force participation climbed to a record 36.3 per cent.
Renewable energy and digital transformation
Saudi Arabia also accelerated its clean energy agenda, announcing 5.3 GW of new solar and wind projects and raising total grid-connected capacity to 12.7 GW by the end of 2025. An additional $8 billion was committed to 15 GW of new projects, while the flagship Neom green hydrogen plant reached 80 per cent completion earlier this year.
Digital transformation gathered pace with the launch of Google Pay on the Mada network and the establishment of HUMAIN, a new AI company developing Arabic-language intelligent solutions.
Tourism, culture and global events
The Kingdom hosted more than 1.67 million pilgrims for Hajj 2025—90 per cent from abroad—while tourism and cultural activities expanded rapidly. The Riyadh Esports World Cup 2025 attracted international talent and set a record prize pool of over $70 million.
Saudi Arabia also surpassed its Vision 2030 target by securing 660 regional headquarters for multinational companies, against a goal of 500, underscoring global confidence in its economy.
Healthcare and education advances
Healthcare coverage now stands at 100 per cent for citizens and 95.9 per cent for all residents. The world’s largest Virtual Health Hospital, linked to 130 hospitals nationwide, offers 34 specialised services. Seven Saudi hospitals rank among the world’s top 250, supported by a growing national medical workforce of more than 100,000.
The education sector has expanded significantly, with over 40,000 schools and 42 universities, including 28 institutions listed in the 2025 QS global rankings. More than 23,400 Saudi students were sent abroad in 2024 under government scholarships, reflecting Vision 2030’s focus on building human capital and enhancing global competitiveness.
With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs.
As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public.
Born into a family of journalists, Khitam’s passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family’s experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts.
Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.
