Saudi Arabia's ambitious plan to diversify its economy away from oil has encountered a setback, with a key business activity index indicating a slowdown in non-oil sectors. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a survey-based measure of economic health, fell to its lowest level in two and a half years in June. This suggests a significant cooling in the growth of the kingdom's non-oil businesses.
The PMI reading of 48. 9 in June signifies a contraction in business activity, as anything below 50 indicates a decline. This follows a period of steady, albeit slightly slower, growth in the non-oil sector throughout the first half of 2024. Economists had anticipated a continuation of this trend, albeit with a possible moderation in growth pace.
The slowdown is attributed to several factors. One key concern is a decline in new orders, which suggests weakening demand for goods and services produced by Saudi businesses outside the oil industry. This could be linked to a combination of global economic uncertainties and domestic factors impacting consumer spending.
Another factor contributing to the slowdown is rising input costs. Businesses reported experiencing significant inflation in raw materials and other essential supplies. This squeeze on profit margins could potentially lead to companies postponing or scaling back expansion plans. Additionally, businesses might be forced to raise prices, further impacting consumer demand.
The slowdown in non-oil activity is a cause for concern for Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at reducing the nation's dependence on oil revenue. The kingdom has invested heavily in developing new industries and promoting entrepreneurship in recent years. While these efforts have shown some success, the latest PMI data suggests there's still a long way to go before the non-oil sector becomes a robust and reliable driver of economic growth.
The Saudi government is likely to take steps to address the current slowdown. Measures to stimulate domestic demand and ease the burden of rising input costs for businesses could be implemented. Additionally, the government might prioritize attracting foreign investment in key non-oil sectors to bolster growth.
Despite the current setback, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about Saudi Arabia's long-term economic diversification prospects. The nation possesses significant resources and a young, growing population. However, navigating the current global economic headwinds and ensuring sustained growth in the non-oil sector will be crucial for achieving the ambitious goals outlined in Vision 2030.