PIF to help KSA become a global renewable energy leader, says minister

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. (Argaam)
Short Url
Updated 25 January 2021
Follow

PIF to help KSA become a global renewable energy leader, says minister

  • The Public Investment Fund will act as a key investment driver, Al-Falih said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia aims to be a world leader in the field of renewable energy, Al Arabiya TV Channel reported, citing Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) will act as a key investment driver, Al-Falih added.

The global economy has begun to shift to other energy sources, the minister said, noting that the Kingdom made a strong push towards this transformation through its renewable energy strategy, as Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced ambitious goals to produce 50 percent of renewable energy in the Kingdom.

Al-Falih also noted that the strategies and policies announced by the Kingdom aim to maintain its leadership in energy sector, as it was during the oil era, amid transitioning to global leadership beyond oil amid the current global transformation.

According to data compiled by Argaam, the PIF’s board of directors, chaired by Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Mohammed Bin Salman, approved the fund’s strategy for the next five years to 2025.


Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rises 10.4% in November: GASTAT 

Updated 10 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rises 10.4% in November: GASTAT 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s industrial output rose at its fastest rate in months, climbing 10.4 percent year on year in November, supported by stronger manufacturing activity and higher oil production, official data showed. 

The Industrial Production Index increased to 114.4, up from 103.6 a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics, though the index slipped 0.7 percent from October.

The latest figures highlight continued momentum in the Kingdom’s industrial sector as Saudi Arabia pursues economic diversification under its Vision 2030 agenda.

In its latest report, GASTAT stated: “Preliminary results indicate an increase of 10.4 percent in the IPI in November 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year, supported by the rise in mining and quarrying activity, manufacturing activity and water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities.”  

The sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 12.6 percent year on year in November, supported by Saudi Arabia’s decision to raise oil production to 10.1 million barrels per day, compared to 8.9 million bpd a year earlier. 

Manufacturing activity rose by 8.1 percent compared to November 2024, driven by a 14.5 percent increase in the production of coke and refined petroleum products. The manufacture of chemical products also recorded a 10.9 percent annual rise.

In contrast, the sub-index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply declined by 4.3 percent year on year, while water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities rose by 10.2 percent. 

On a month-on-month basis, the overall IPI fell by 0.7 percent in November. 

Mining and quarrying activity rose by 0.5 percent from October, while manufacturing activity edged up by 0.3 percent.

However, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded a sharp monthly decline of 28.6 percent. Water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities fell by 3.1 percent over the same period. 

Overall, the index of oil activities advanced by 12.9 percent year on year in November, while non-oil activities increased by 4.4 percent. 

Compared to October, oil activities rose by 0.4 percent, while non-oil activities declined by 3.4 percent. 

The IPI measures changes in industrial output based on the International Standard Industrial Classification framework and covers mining, manufacturing, utilities, and waste management sectors.