Economics
Economists Think Saudi's Outlook Looks a Little Too Rosy
- Forecast 2.7% expansion above 1.6% economists’ median estimate
- New taxes, subsidy cuts, oil prices seen weighing on growth
Saudi Arabia Sees Inflows Stabilizing Says CMA's El-Kuwaiz
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Saudi Arabia’s government expects record spending to deliver a strong economic rebound in 2018. Economists say it’s too optimistic, with officials underestimating the impact of new taxes, subsidy cuts and oil prices.
Even after King Salman ordered additional cash handouts this month to mitigate the toll of austerity on households, the median estimate of five economists surveyed by Bloomberg is 1.6 percent growth -- well below the 2.7 percent in the Saudi budget -- with predictions ranging from 0.7 percent to 2 percent.