VOL. XLIII

No. 36

4-September-2000

SAUDI ARABIA

Samba Optimistic On Saudi Economy But Cautions Against Reform Inertia

Saudi Arabias nominal GDP will grow by 20% in the year 2000 to SR632bn ($169bn), real GDP will increase by 5.3% and the current account will record a surplus of $21bn, according to the office of the Chief Economist at Saudi American Bank (Samba see table below). The Riyadh-based banks latest report, The Saudi Economy: Mid-Year 2000 Update (August), offers an upbeat prognosis for...