The UN Development Program (UNDP) and the General Commission for Survey (GCS) have signed a capacity development project with the main objective of developing national capacities in conducting geospatial and marine surveys and the production of maps, marine navigational electronic and paper systems as well as geospatial information.
UNDP confirmed that the one-year project embraces ambitious objectives to support the government in its efforts to promote the national development through greater efficiency in producing and marketing geo-spatial survey products and services.
These aspects are conceived to fall within the overall mandate of GCS in improving the balanced regional development and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy as excellence in hydrographical surveys would certainly add up to the present strengthens of the Kingdom.
The project is also expected to mobilize expertise and purchase technically sophisticated survey equipment and devices for the marine hydrographical surveys at the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba area.
In its subsequent phases, the project will engage the advisory services of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Hydrographical Organization (IHO). It is viewed by GCS as part of its intent to advance the hydrographic science in Saudi Arabia.
Moree Hassan Al-Shahrani, president of The General Commission for Survey and Firas Gharaibeh, deputy resident Representative of UNDP, signed the agreement.
UNDP backs Saudi geospatial and marine surveys
UNDP backs Saudi geospatial and marine surveys
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.
