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Saudi Arabia closed the second half of December with a series of policy decisions, economic indicators and sectoral milestones that underscored a year of broad-based transformation across industry, technology, tourism and trade, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In a move aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the industrial sector, the cabinet approved the cancellation of the expatriate levy for licensed industrial establishments.
The decision follows six years of exemptions that have contributed to a 56 per cent increase in industrial gross domestic product to more than SAR501bn and a 74 per cent rise in industrial employment, SPA said.
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The kingdom’s digital transformation strategy also gained international recognition, with Saudi Arabia ranking second globally in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, scoring 99.64 per cent and placing it in the “very advanced” category.
In healthcare, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre was ranked first in the Middle East for oncology and orthopaedics and reported the successful use of a new 3D-printing technique to treat inner ear disorders.
Economic and tourism indicators released during the period pointed to strong commercial and religious activity.
E-commerce sales reached a record SAR30.7bn in October 2025, a 68 per cent increase year on year, while non-oil exports grew 32.3 per cent over the same period.
Saudi Arabia recorded 68.7 million worshippers and visitors at the two holy mosques during the month of Jumada Al-Akhira, with 11.9 million Umrah rituals completed.
Riyadh Season 2025 brought in eight million visitors since its launch in October, according to SPA.
Other figures released showed annual inflation at 1.9 per cent in November 2025, citrus production at 158,000 tonnes at the start of the new season, and more than 12,000 industrial facilities operating in the kingdom, up from 8,822 in 2019.
Saudi students won 26 awards at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth, securing first place globally, while the Kingdom signed development loans worth $160m with Mauritania for water and electricity projects.
Saudi Arabia also set a new Guinness World Record by storing 95 tonnes of seasonal seeds and secured accreditation for two new Dark Sky Reserves in AlUla, Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah.
The SPA report said the year reflected not only statistical growth but structural changes across major sectors, as the Kingdom advances toward the goals set out under Vision 2030.
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