Market Profile

Population (2020): 34.8 million
GDP (2020): US$700.1 billion (S$949.5 billion)
World Bank “Ease of Doing Business” Rank (2020): 62
Bilateral Trade with Singapore (2020): S$9.5 billion

Why Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia was Singapore’s 20th largest trading partner in 2020. Among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Arabia is Singapore’s second-largest trading partner. Singapore-based firms are also among the most active Asian investors in Saudi Arabia¹, and Singapore’s expertise in oil & gas has long provided a connection between the two countries.

The country’s other natural resources include copper, gold, iron, natural gas, and ore. Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector has constantly expanded since 1976 to produce a wide range of products, from fertilisers to rolled steel and plastic products².

The Saudi government continues to support varied manufacturing businesses, as well as the effort to move away from oil dependence. Singapore businesses should note there is room for more than oil & gas-related enterprises in Saudi Arabia with the government looking to increase their non-oil revenues exponentially by 2030. Sectors of focus are primarily education, infrastructure and tourism.

Enterprise Singapore operates an overseas centre in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, to assist Singapore businesses expanding into the Middle East. You will also be supported by bilateral agreements signed between Saudi Arabia and Singapore to facilitate cross-border trade on both sides.

¹ “Singapore investors among the most active in Saudi Arabia”, The Straits Times, 3 March 2017
² Saudi Arabia, Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2016, Saudi Arabia embarked on an initiative – Vision 2030 – that aims to diversify its economy, and reduce dependence on oil. Vision 2030 consists of three primary themes:

To build a vibrant society that embraces its cultural heritage to attract tourists from across the world, highlighting that Saudi Arabia is the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
To use its investment power to build a thriving economy with high employment, women in the workforce, foreign direct investment and stronger non-oil exports. Additionally, to tap Saudi Arabia’s strategic location to become a global hub connecting three continents.
To become an ambitious nation, with stronger non-oil revenues, good household savings and income, and effective government through policy change and good governance.

Attaining these goals will require greater diversification and privatisation of the economy. Vision 2030 also emphasises development of the Kingdom’s public service sectors in education, healthcare, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. Singapore businesses can find demand for their expertise in these fields, particularly if they are willing to partner with Saudi companies.

Some key developments that will boost Saudi Arabia’s tourism footprint are Amaala, The Red Sea Development Project³ and Qiddiya which aim to bring in millions of tourists by 2030.

In 2016, Saudi Arabia issued a General Authority for Entertainment, into which around S$3.7 billion has already been invested. The first live music concert in 25 years was held in Riyadh in 2017⁴. Amusement park giant Six Flags is also aiming to open three parks in Saudi Arabia by 2021, at around S$400 million to S$688 million each.⁵ Singapore’s events and media-related businesses can find increasing opportunity, as the Kingdom opens up its entertainment market.

Vision 2030 also aims to stimulate non-oil trade between Saudi Arabia and its partners, in goods and consumer products. The Kingdom plans to increase foreign direct investment from 3.8% of GDP to 5.7%, and to raise non-oil exports from 16% of GDP to 50%⁶. This will provide openings for Singapore businesses and investors, to tap into an affluent market.

³ “Saudi Arabia launches Red Sea beach resort plan”, CNN Travel, 4 August 2017
⁴ “Saudi Arabia allows concerts - even country music”, The Economist, 1 June 2017
⁵ “Six Flags aiming to open first Saudi park by 2021”, Reuters, 16 November 2016
⁶ Goals, Saudi Vision 2030 (http://vision2030.gov.sa/en/goals)

Saudi Arabia is unquestionably the world’s leading oil producer and largest exporter of petroleum⁷. It produces around 12.5 million barrels (and exporting about 7 million barrels) of crude oil per day. Oil accounts for about half the country’s GDP, and 70% of its export earnings. The Kingdom holds 17% of the world’s proven petroleum reserves⁸ and is a founder and leading voice in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), giving it further influence on global oil supply.

The state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, intends to invest around S$412 billion over the next 10 years in upstream oil & gas projects. This will turn the country from a crude oil exporter, to a fully integrated, global energy and chemicals enterprise. This is likely to draw demand for businesses in the oil & gas sector, in which Singapore already has deep penetration.

⁷ “Saudi Arabia Facts and Figures”, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, 2018
⁸ “Possesses around 17% of the world’s proven petroleum reserves”, OPEC

The value of projects planned and under execution in the GCC has remained around S$2.31 trillion since 2017⁹. Saudi Arabia has seen an increasing share of these projects especially post announcement of their big-ticket projects, making it an ideal starting point for Singapore businesses looking to penetrate the region. According to the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), out of the S$3.25 trillion forecasted projects, Saudi Arabia continues to be the biggest market with S$2.31 trillion worth of projects in the pipeline. Projects in the transport industry accounts for the biggest share of the pipeline at 12.7%¹⁰.

Besides the wide availability of projects, Saudi Arabia is also the largest economy by population in the GCC. The median age of the Saudi population is 31.8¹¹, with a GDP per capita (based on purchasing power parity) of about S$55,272 in 2020¹². This indicates an affluent and young market, ideal for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to expand into.

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⁹ Kamco Invest, GCC Projects Market Update
¹⁰ CIA World Factbook, 2018
¹¹ Worldometers
¹² The World Bank