scholarly journals National Responses and Economic Strategies to Address COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nurunnabi ◽  
Hisham Mohammed Alhawal ◽  
Reema Yousef Abdulla Al Bassam
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
A Value ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Economic Strategies ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to explore national responses and strategies to address the challenges to Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized various government documents, newspapers and local and international reports. This research finds that the Saudi government of thoroughly evaluated the circumstances and has announced a set of urgent moves amounting to 142 initiatives targeting individuals, private sector enterprises and investors, with a value exceeding SR 214 billion. The government has made significant efforts to keep employment and markets stable. This is one of the very first studies of the Saudi government’s response to the impact of COVID-19 on the private sector and the overall economy. The Kingdom seeks to support the private sector in order to achieve the goals that Saudi Arabia seeks in its economic transformation and in line with its Vision 2030.

Impact of Mandatory Medical Insurance on Construction Contractors in Saudi Arabia

2010 ◽  
Vol 163-167 ◽  
pp. 4529-4534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah M Alsugair
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Medical Insurance ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
Comprehensive Development ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The comprehensive development in Saudi Arabia forced the private sector to bring foreign employees to assist in accomplishing this development. The number of foreign employees reached to six million people according to the late statistics. This huge number of people exerted pressure on the public free medical facilities that forced the government to issue a decree that instructs private sector to use private medical facilities for their foreign employees. The private sector dealt with this decree in different ways according to the perception of the company from providing full medical coverage for their employees to providing nothing. This has created a problem to many foreigners in which they have to pay for their medical needs. The government, then, issued a new decree that is the mandatory medical insurance. This decree requires the private sector to provide full medical coverage for their foreign employees. This decree will have an impact on the construction companies (contractors) and the cost of the construction projects. This paper presents results of a study conducted to identify the impact of the mandatory medical insurance on the construction contractors in Saudi Arabia. The methodology used was to prepare a questionnaire that investigates the objectives of this study and distributes it to the contractors. The questionnaire includes many aspects among them the impact of this decree on the company performance and the competition between contractors; how this extra expense being dealt with; and the impact on the employee. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 construction contractors and 90 questionnaires were collected. Results of the study reveal the impact of the mandatory medical insurance on the construction contractors in general and according to their classifications. In addition, the study presents the current practice implemented by contractors to provide medical care for their foreign employees.

scholarly journals Does the Vision 2030 and Value Added Tax Leads to Sustainable Economic Growth: The Case of Saudi Arabia?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11090
Author(s):  
Suleman Sarwar ◽  
Dalia Streimikiene ◽  
Rida Waheed ◽  
Ashwag Dignah ◽  
Asta Mikalauskiene
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Financial Development ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Value Added Tax ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
The Impact

The motivation behind the current research is to check the effect of the recent introduction of value added tax (VAT) and Vision 2030 on the economy of Saudi Arabia. To check this, those variables are added to the analysis which contribute to economic development including labor, capital, oil price, financial development, and trade openness to examine that how economic transformation affects the role of these variables in economic growth. According to the vector error correction (VEC) model, the impact of labor becomes negative after VAT, however, the impact of capital and financial development becomes significant by this transformation. The coefficients of oil prices, for positive and negative shocks, are significant and negative. Financial development and trade openness are reporting surprising results; positive shocks have shown negative coefficients. However, after Vision 2030, trade openness has a significant and positive coefficient. Policy implications include diversification of exports, reviving the private financing mechanism and restructuring the export/import policies.

Role of foreign direct investment – As a strategic move towards growth, economic integration and development

2021 ◽  
pp. 002072092199659
Author(s):  
Rima H BinSaeed
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
Technological Infrastructure ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
International Investors ◽  
The Government

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure has shown a major progress in business opportunities for overseas investors. Saudi Arabia’s education sector is one of the most attractive investment opportunities for the foreign investors Earlier in 2019, 9 new foreign education enterprises were granted investor licenses, amounting to a total of $141mn of investment deals. The Saudi government introduced Saudi Vision 2030, an aspiring development plan that foresees vital prospects for foreign investors in the regions of education, housing, health and energy, amongst others. In 2016, Saudi Arabia permitted the procurement of 100% of assets by foreign investors in retail and wholesale trade. A privatisation program has also been introduced. The government also attempts to attract FDI in the regions of renewable energy and entertainment. A foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a vital role in local and international economy. Several opportunities and ventures are encouraged by Saudi Arabia to improve the standard of business and economical environments. To accomplish the finances for the projects SAGIA, the lawful authority is there to smooth the progress of investments, which encourages Saudi FDI prospective to grow simultaneously. FDI has a greater scope for diverse businesses and investing in to underdeveloped industrial sectors. FDI plays an important role in boosting the economy of Saudi Arabia by managing international investors who shares the huge portion of 34% in General GDP (Gross domestic product) of Saudi Arabia. This paper aims to review the literature to shed light on the steps taken by the government to increase FDI in the country and what are the current trends that are helping to fulfil VISION 2030.

scholarly journals Adopting and Implementing a Government Cloud in Saudi Arabia, an Integral Part of Vision 2030

10.29007/848q ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed O. Alannsary ◽  
Yasser M. Hausawi
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Software As A Service ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
The Government ◽  
Cloud Users

Cloud computing is a relatively mature and robust technology that has promised its users with several proven advantages, such as cost reduction, immediate scalability, and resource sharing. The Cloud is built based on providing resources as services, such as providing Infrastructure, Platform, and Software as a Service. Such approach enables Cloud users to access these services based on their demand. In the government sector of Saudi Arabia, adoption and utilization of the Cloud is minimal. Despite being adopted officially, the Cloud has not been yet implemented properly. In our work we introduce how the government sector in Saudi Arabia can adopt and implement a Cloud Solution through utilizing its services and while considering issues related to its security.

scholarly journals (The Impact of Traffic Accidents on Development: A Contemporary Accounting Perspective, Asir governorate as a model - Saudi Arabia (2006-2013: أثر حوادث المرور على التنمية نظرة محاسبية معاصرة محافظة (عسير) نموذجاً المملكة العربية السعودية (2006– 2013)

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahabuddin Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

The traffic accidents in the high ways and towns are still increasing, their effect on the community development clearly seen. The control of this problem is highly significant. The analysis of the data and the information about the traffic accidents, their direct, indirect, a variables and continues cost represented in curing the injured, paying the Diya, the cost of the medical operations on behalf of the government and the relatives of the injured dealt with through the accounting view. This paper aimed at measuring the effect of traffic accidents in terms of money, to be use for the development of Accer province – South of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The overall cost of the traffic accidents in 2013 is 23 pillions Riyal. The percentage of the injured is 30% per family. The cost account of traffic accidents in Accer province is 1. 6 pillions Riyal. These sums of money could have been use for the development of the province. The paper recommends The direct, indirect, a variables and continues costs of the traffic accidents should give a due consideration The traffic administration should give a due consideration as well, to be minimizing the number of the traffic accidents. There should be decisive practical measures to stop these accidents.

scholarly journals Examining the Key Success Factors for Startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain

2021 ◽  
pp. 9-49
Author(s):  
Muneera Al Sahaf ◽  
Lamea Al Tahoo
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Fund Raising ◽  
Key Success Factors ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
The Government ◽  
Oil Wealth ◽  
The Impact

With Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, aspiring the shift from an economy that depends on oil wealth to a diversified economy, including startup businesses.  A number of startups in Bahrain have been growing at a rapid pace in various industries. This is a result of the excellent ecosystem, and support provided to startups by the government in Bahrain. This study aims to examine the key success factors of startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The quantitative method was the adopted approach, whereby data was collected to examine the impact of four selected variables; fund-raising, experience, knowledge, and partnerships on the success of startups in Bahrain. The quantitative findings outlined the importance of several factors that were perceived to have a significant influence on the success of Bahraini Startups, where the majority of respondents agreed/strongly that two of the examined factors are considered critical to succeed in startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These factors are experience and knowledge, which proved to have an active role to maintain the success of startups. However, the startups’ founders disagreed on the impact of fund-raising and partnerships which are considered to have no major effect on the success of startups. Recommendations of this research include two segments; for founders is to seek more opportunities to enhance their knowledge and capitalize on their experiences, and for government entities to provide and improve training offerings, and facilitate founders’ communication and assist them in reaching out to the investors and the supporting entities, which will provide ease for new startup entry to the market, and establishment of a clear vision with framework prior to embarking the new venture.

The impact of open government data on accountability and transparency

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuti Saxena ◽  
Irfan Muhammad
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Open Government ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Government Data ◽  
Government Data ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Accountability, citizen participation and transparency are the three pillars on which open government data (OGD) is based. As such, OGD implies that the government shall provide data freely via the internet so that the same may be re-used for diverse purposes. It is hoped that by re-using government data, public value shall be co-created and government services might be improved upon with the involvement of different stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to underline the impact of OGD on accountability and transparency in the context of Pakistan where OGD initiative is taking roots for quite some time now. In the present study, the authors seek to investigate the challenges being faced by the professionals in the private sector and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan. Besides, the authors also seek inputs from the respondents in the manner in which OGD initiative of Pakistan has impact on ensuring accountability and transparency. Design/methodology/approach For conducting the review of the national OGD portal of Pakistan, the authors invoke documentary analysis wherein the authors investigate the features of the national OGD portal of Pakistan. Furthermore, the authors conducted structured interviews with 49 senior management representatives from private sector and NGOs in order to gauge the challenges encountered by them in tapping OGD from diverse online public sources. Findings Respondents aver that robust statistical analysis is not feasible via the data sets being shared by the online sources. More initiatives are required on the part of the government bodies to release the data sets which have remained confined in silos. Government should institutionalize an OGD policy and promote the re-use of OGD by the professionals from diverse backgrounds. At present, only educational data are being shared by the OGD portal of Pakistan and it is important that more data sets are being released in the public domain. Furthermore, the respondents perceive that in a bid to be more accountable and transparent, the government bodies should release data sets via the online channels which are user-friendly. Research limitations/implications The present study conducted a qualitative research where the number of respondents was relatively less. Further research is required by adopting quantitative approach in order to accommodate more respondents and lend reliability to the study. Nevertheless, the study holds implications for academicians and practitioners in the sense that while it is needed that further research be conducted on the OGD initiative of Pakistan, it is imperative that policy makers get involved in institutionalizing the OGD initiative of Pakistan at national and local levels. Social implications Professionals might be better involved in creating and co-creating products and services by tapping OGD. Originality/value Given that OGD initiative in Pakistan is in a nascent stage and research is wanting in exploring the nature and scope of Pakistan’s OGD, the present study seeks to contribute toward the existing OGD literature.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of a maternal health voucher programme on service use before and after the introduction of free maternity services in Kenya: a quasi-experimental study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e000726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mardieh L Dennis ◽  
Timothy Abuya ◽  
Oona Maeve Renee Campbell ◽  
Lenka Benova ◽  
Angela Baschieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Facility Delivery ◽  
Absolute Increase ◽  
Maternity Services ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Continuum

IntroductionFrom 2006 to 2016, the Government of Kenya implemented a reproductive health voucher programme in select counties, providing poor women subsidised access to public and private sector care. In June 2013, the government introduced a policy calling for free maternity services to be provided in all public facilities. The concurrent implementation of these interventions presents an opportunity to provide new insights into how users adapt to a changing health financing and service provision landscape.MethodsWe used data from three cross-sectional surveys to assess changes over time in use of 4+ antenatal care visits, facility delivery, postnatal care and maternal healthcare across the continuum among a sample of predominantly poor women in six counties. We conducted a difference-in-differences analysis to estimate the impact of the voucher programme on these outcomes, and whether programme impact changed after free maternity services were introduced.ResultsBetween the preintervention/roll-out phase and full implementation, the voucher programme was associated with a 5.5% greater absolute increase in use of facility delivery and substantial increases in use of the private sector for all services. After free maternity services were introduced, the voucher programme was associated with a 5.7% higher absolute increase in use of the recommended package of maternal health services; however, disparities in access to facility births between voucher and comparison counties declined. Increased use of private sector services by women in voucher counties accounts for their greater access to care across the continuum.ConclusionsOur findings show that the voucher programme is associated with a modest increase in women’s use of the full continuum of maternal health services at the recommended timings after free maternity services were introduced. The greater use of private sector services in voucher counties also suggests that there is need to expand women’s access to acceptable and affordable providers.

scholarly journals The Impact and Contribution of FDI to Saudi Economy During King Abdullah Regime

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Khaled Jadeaf Alanazi ◽  
Salawati Mat Basir
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Foreign Capital ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Investment Promotion ◽  
Incentive Policies ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Up

Foreign Direct Investment resulted in the disclosure of different investment chances and opportunities through active investment promotion agencies. A country must execute various reforms capable of improving the fundamental determinants of FDI for achieving a high percentage of Foreign Direct Investment. These reforms among others include improving investment laws, reducing political risk and level of corruption, establishing a consistent legitimate and regulatory environment, freeing repatriation of funds and capital, as well as opening up to international trade. Saudi Arabia adopted generous incentive policies for attracting foreign capital and invite Foreign Direct Investment during king Abdullah regime. These policies present positive incentives while eliminating negative disincentives. Positive incentives consist free custom duties, reductions of tax and export zones, by the government of Saudi Arabia. Disincentives elimination to investments indicates the removal of overlong and rigid systems as they can delay visas issuance, restraint travel and complicate the licensing and registration of a project. This paper discusses the impact of FDI on Saudi economy during King Abdullah regime and finally, ascertains the contribution of FDI to Saudi Economy during King Abdullah regime.

scholarly journals Structural Transformation of Economy in Special Region OF Yogyakarta

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Nur Feriyanto
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Special Region

The first aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the growth rate of GRDP and the growth rate of sectors’ labor absorption in Special Region of Yogyakarta. The second objective was using the Esteban Marquillas’ Shift-Share analysis to prove whether there has been a structural transformation of the economy in Special Region of Yogyakarta during 2009-2014. The third aim was to determine the impact of economic sectors’ growth in Indonesia on the growth of aggregate GRDP in Special Region of Yogyakarta.  Results of this study were: (1) There were three conditions used to observe the relationship between the growth rate of GRDP and the growth rate of labor absorption in Special Region of Yogyakarta namely anomalous; regressive; and progressive. (2) The use of Esteban Marquillas’ Shift-Share analysis showed that in the area of Special Region of Yogyakarta there had been a shift in the economic structure from the primary sector to the secondary and tertiary sectors. (3) The economic sectors’ growth in Indonesia could lead to the growth of aggregate GRDP in Special Region of Yogyakarta as much as 539.53 billion IDR. Suggestions offered by this research are as follows: (1) policy making by the government related to development has to pay attention to the relationship between economic growth and unemployment rate. (2) Government has to address the economic transformation from primary to tertiary sectors; especially for development planning; and (3) government needs to focus on economic development for the dominant sectors of economy in DIY province.

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