Saudi Arabia with strong economic strength has long occupied the status of the "elder brother" in the Middle East, but this trend has changed in recent years.At the same time that Saudi Arabia has worked hard to promote economic transformation, the adjacent Arab Emirates and Qatar have rushed to catch up in terms of economic power and regional influence.The UAE has performed well in finance and attracting foreign capital, and the pressure on Saudi Arabia has increased day by day; Aka is also actively participating in regional affairs, and the right to speak in the region is getting greater.The Middle East is no longer Saudi Arabia, and the situation of the three -headed carriage is gradually taking shape.
The oil -producing country Saudi Arabia has actively promoted economic reform in the past few years, strived to get rid of the dependence on oil and maintain its leading advantage.The goal of Saudi Arabia's actual power and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is to make Saudi Arabia "reborn."
Muhammad announced the three main goals of Saudi Arabia as early as 2016: positioning himself as the center of Arab and Muslim World, becoming a global investment power, and developing into a global world connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.hub.
In January 2021, he announced the development of the new Future City (NEOM) in northern Saudi Arabia, creating a zero -carbon city with a total amount of 500 billion US dollars (about S $ 670 billion) and a length of 170 kilometers.
Saudi Arabia wants to transform is a huge project, because this world's largest oil exporter, the revenue of the oil industry still accounts for about 75 % of the national total revenue.How to change the industrial structure and maintain a certain economic growth is very difficult.
Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision total investment exceeds 3.3 trillion US dollars
Economist estimates that the total investment in Saudi Arabia will exceed 3.3 trillion US dollars under the vision of 2030.At present, Saudi Arabia has invested more than $ 1.3 trillion, and is expected to build 660,000 houses, 289,000 hotel rooms, 6 million square meters of office space and 5.3 million square meters of retail space.
In order to pay a huge expenditure, Mohammed raised funds for the construction of 2030 Vision through the Public Investment Fund (PIF).PIF is now in charge of more than $ 700 billion, and Muhammad's goal is to increase the amount of PIF to $ 3 trillion in 2030.
2030 vision is not smooth sailing. In 2020, the global crown disease impacts Saudi Arabia. Many companies have been hit again and their unemployment rates have risen.However, Saudi Arabia has now renewed its development momentum.In 2022, Saudi Arabia was the fastest -growing country in the 20th G20 economy, with a total increase of 8.7 %.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that the two reforms play a key role in the Saudi economic transformation. One is the reform of the labor market and the other is digitalization.The ratio of the Saudi people's work in high -skilled work has increased from 32 % in 2016 to 42 % in 2022; female labor participation rates have doubled in the past four years, reaching 37 %, more than 30 % of the vision set by 2030.
The contribution ofdigitalization to the overall growth also increased from 0.2 % in 2016 to 15 % in 2022.This enhances the toughness, government efficiency and financial integration of the Saudi financial industry.
Saudi Arabia actively strengthen economic and trade with economic countries
Outside, Saudi Arabia is actively looking for economic and trade partners, but relies on the United States.In recent years, Saudi Arabia has close economic and trade relations. China is the largest trading partner in Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia's China -Arab Cooperation Forum held in the capital Riyadi in June, with China signed a $ 10 billion investment agreement with China on the first day.
Saudi Arabia has also strengthened economic and trade with India with another large economy.In August this year, Saudi Arabia joined the ranks of BRICS countries to help it expand the international economic and trade network.
James Dorsey, a senior researcher at the Nanyang University of Technology Rajerin South International Research Institute, said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao that Saudi Arabia is a big country and the process of economic reform takes a long time."In these years, Saudi Arabia has been trying to develop new economic fields with high oil income. These efforts take a long time to see the results. Politators must be patient and not overwhelmed."
Even if the vision in 2030 has only achieved some goals so far, Muhammad, a ambitious young leader, has successfully planted the seeds of hope in the hearts of the Saudis and built a strong motivation for the country's transformation.
Dr. Cai Shengrong, a researcher at the Middle East Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, said in an interview with Lianhe Morning Post that Muhammad's 2030 vision has a blueprint for supporting support and the hearts of the people."The most important thing is that it inspires the optimistic emotions of the Saudi people, especially young people and women. Young people still maintain a high degree of loyalty and excitement. They feel that they are valued and can contribute to the realization of vision."
Muhammad recently interviewed Fox News that Wang Guo would not stop there.In other words, after the vision of 2030, more vision will be realized.
Cai Shengrong pointed out that Saudi Arabia's diplomacy is not limited to the Middle East, but is looking at the world.In the past two years, Riyadh has been actively in contact with other countries.It has established a bilateral coordination committee with the neighboring Gulf State to coordinate the economic vision.In foreign countries, the Crown Prince also visited Asia, including Japan, South Korea and Thailand.Recently, Saudi Arabia has also contacted Africa and Caribbean countries.
In November 2018, Muhammad, who was officially established for more than a year, made a strong saying: "The Middle East can become a new Europe."
The UAE grasps the development of science and technology to fly high
Today, the rapid transfer of capital and technology, the trend of globalization, digitalization, and artificial intelligence has made those countries with unique vision and ambitiousness have more room for exhibition.The UAE is good at seizing opportunities and flying high.
The UAE's oil -producing country is the economic proportion of oil.According to the November report of the UAE economic department, the domestic GDP (GDP) in the first half of this year has achieved a 3.7 % growth, of which the non -oil industry increased by 5.9%, The fastest growth rate.The non -oil industry has accounted for more than 70 % of the UAE GDP.Emirates Economic Minister of Economy Abdullah said that the European Union's dependence on oil decreases and rely more on the intellectual industry.
The UAE government started the digital economy strategy in 2022. The target is to increase the proportion of digital economy to GDP within 10 years, from 9.7 % in 2022 to 19.4 %.It wants to make digital infrastructure a great leap, develop strong new industries such as artificial intelligence, and improve the level of skills and expand its talents.
In the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine War and the economic development of other regions, the starting companies, entrepreneurs and investors poured into the UAE.Take Dubai, one of the Emirates, as an example. In June this year, the surge in immigrants made the Dubai population exceed 3.6 million for the first time.The Dubai Chamber of Commerce revealed that in the first half of this year, 30,000 new enterprises were registered, which was higher than 2022 in 2022.This also boosted the UAE's real estate market.
Actively sign a free trade agreement with multiple countries
The UAE has been actively seeking to sign a free trade agreement with other countries, and in May 2022, the UAE signed a free trade agreement with Israel.In the same month, the UAE and India signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.In August this year, the UAE officially became a member of the BRICS country.
The UAE has continuously strives to enhance international popularity.The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) kicked off in Dubai on November 30. More than 70,000 representatives of up to 200 countries, including government officials, business leaders and experts, etc.International prestige.
Dr. Mariam Farida, the Middle East, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, said in an interview with Lianhe Morning Post that the UAE is not only an important business and tourism regional center centerRegional shipping center.To expand this advantage, the UAE has implemented the port strategy in the corner of the southern and African Peninsula and Africa, and operates key ports along the main maritime trade in the Middle East.
Cai Shengrong said that the UAE's advantages in many aspects are similar to Qatar, but the UAE is better.The UAE uses the form of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to deepen its economic relations with other countries. Although facing the fierce competition in neighboring countries, the UAE is still economically leading the Gulf country.
Cai Shengrong pointed out that five other chiefs other than Dubai and Abu Dhabi have huge potential and can be developed into new popular tourist destinations. If the UAE can make good use of these potential, economic development will inevitably be more up to one more.Floors.
Qatar's Fund Funding Diplomacy Foreign wrist Gaoming
Qatar relies on natural gas to get rich quickly, but this small country of population has not been proud of the wealth of the sky, but trying to make itself thrive and become a new Middle East economic power that cannot be ignored today.
At present, oil and gas are still the cornerstone of Qatar's economy, accounting for more than 70 % of the government's total revenue, and more than 60 % of GDP.
Qatar's rise is inseparable from the efforts of the two generations of rulers.Emir Hald ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013. He announced his abdication in June 2013 to pass the throne and regime to his son Tamim.Tamim has developed infrastructure, healthcare and education in recent years, and continues to expand the manufacturing, construction and financial services industries.
For the prosperity, Qatar launched the "2030 National Vision" plan in October 2008. The core is to vigorously develop the diversification of economy. In 2030, Qatar became a sustainable development, strong international competitiveness and national life.A high level of countries.
Qatar held the World Cup football game in 2022, becoming the first country in the Arab country to host the World Cup.Before the game, Qatar accelerated the construction of large infrastructure projects, including roads, light rail transportation, new ports, stadiums and other sports facilities.
Pentrifying multi -directional investment
Falida said that in recent decades, the economy has made great progress. Although it mainly benefits from rich natural resources, it is more important that Qatar is aggressive and determinedMulti -investment in the energy field.
She pointed out that Qatar's investment in preparations for the 2022 World Cup not only increased Qatar's international popularity, but also contributed to the long -term development of the country.As a regional financial center, the capital Daha has also attracted many international financial institutions for Qatar and further promotes economic diversification.
Dorti said that Qatar has two strong points. One is that it contains rich natural gas, which brings long -term stable and high -income to Qatar. With a lot of funds, it is easy to develop more economy or make new attempts to make new attempts.It's much more.The other is Qatar's diplomatic capabilities. They have a close relationship network in the Middle East and have the ability to mediate in Middle East affairs.
Israel and Palestine's radical organization Hamas erupted conflict Both the ceasefire negotiations, hostage exchange and humanitarian rescue, Qatar and the UAE are actively participating in discussing how to alleviate regional tensions with the United States and Egypt.Among them, Qatar led to negotiate with Ha, and it was obvious that the diplomatic wrist was excellent.
It is known that Hamas has set up an office in Qatar for more than 10 years.Qatar has a department that is responsible for contacting Hamas, and Qatar also has a communication channel behind the scenes with Israel.
The status of Saudi Arabia's "boss" is difficult to shake, but in the face of more intense competition
Although Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans such as NEOM and the Red Sea project, the UAE's direct investment (FDI) in foreign countries still surpasses Saudi Arabia.According to the UN trade and development conference report, the UAE's FDI in 2022 was close to $ 23 billion, while the Saudi FDI fell 59 % at the same time, only about 7.9 billion US dollars.
The UAE is menacing, and Saudi Arabia dare not take it lightly.Farida pointed out that Saudi Arabia has introduced a number of economic policies to attract foreign capital, and some of its policies are obviously targeted at the UAE.
For example, in July 2021, Riyadh is facing the Gulf Arab countryThe state of the committee implements import restrictions and cancels the duty -free market access from goods from the Economic Free Zone.This measure of Riyadh, in the name of supporting the localization of industrial production, cancels the tax -free and preferential treatment of more than 75 % of the company's products, and nearly 90 % of the foreign population among the UAE population, which is the first.
In December 2022, Saudi Arabia issued further restrictions. The Saudi government agencies were not allowed to cooperate with companies that are not headquarters in Saudi Arabia.Riyadh plans to attract up to 480 companies to set up regional headquarters by 2030, which constitutes a direct challenge for the UAE.
Duoxi analyzed in an interview that the UAE and Qatar are not large powers and there are not many people. Therefore, no matter how fast the strength is, it is unlikely to surpass or even replace Saudi boss.However, they have the condition that they have become a economic power, and they will inevitably play a greater role in the Middle East and exert a greater influence in the future.
