Columnist

Talat Zaki Hafiz

Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. Twitter: @TalatHafiz

Latest published



Eight years of remarkable Saudi Vision 2030 achievements

The International Monetary Fund has raised its expectations for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth in 2025 to 6 percent, up from the 5.5 percent predicted earlier this year. 

April 24, 2024

Are cryptocurrencies driving further money laundering?

Money laundering has been creating a chronic headache to global economies, as illegal business activities and trading usually occur outside the normal range of economic and financial statistics.

August 10, 2022

Combating financial fraud is a shared responsibility

Technology is a double-edged sword since it facilitates our lives and allows skilled fraudsters to commit financial fraud.

Professional fraudsters use the latest technologies to hone their skills, using inexpensive and readily available devices to commit financial fraud.

July 22, 2022

Would Biden’s Saudi visit clear the decks for a renewed relationship?

Since President Joe Biden assumed office, the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia has been in a downward spiral due to political and economic differences between the two countries.

July 16, 2022

Is cryptocurrency’s nosedive the beginning of its collapse?

Bitcoin has plunged more than 52 percent this year, as it presently trades below $21,000. According to CoinDesk data, Bitcoin lost its bounce to drop below $20,000 before regaining ground.

July 12, 2022

How secure are Saudi banks? The answer lies in their performance

Although two years have passed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy is still suffering from its repercussions despite the international efforts made to contain it.

June 18, 2022

Davos 2022 lauds Saudi economy, but Kingdom must push ahead with reforms

Despite the tough two years that the global economy has gone through — due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and unprecedented inflation rate hikes — the Saudi Arabian economy has stood firm.

June 07, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s strong financial position is result of astute policies

The Kingdom is well on its way to economic recovery — as is evident from different reports from independent sources. Most recently Moody’s changed Saudi Arabia’s outlook from negative to stable.

November 06, 2021

Speedy economic recovery adds to National Day joy

We celebrate Saudi Arabia’s National Day every year on Sept. 23 with national fervor. This year marks the 91st National Day of our great country.

September 22, 2021