Economics
Saudi Data Show Economy Struggling as Lending Growth Slumps
- Credit growth falling as companies cut back on investments
- Growing caution seen in lower import demand, bank claims
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Data released this week by the Saudi central bank show how the economy is still struggling to gain momentum amid low oil prices.
The International Monetary Fund in January slashed its forecast for Saudi economic growth this year to 0.4 percent from 2 percent. The government says gross domestic product will likely expand by more than 1 percent. The following four charts illustrate key takeaways from the central bank’s data for January: