Saudi Arabia rises to 14th globally in management system certificates with 46% growth in 2025

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a set of support measures to alleviate the burden of escalating electricity and water tariffs, set to commence on January 1. The Saudi Press Agency reported the initiative, which will precede the tariff adjustments. King Salman has decreed monthly subsidies of 500 riyals ($133) for civil and military personnel, retirees, and eligible social security recipients, following a suggestion by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The allowance also extends to some bereaved relatives of individuals under the social insurance system.

In addition, the package comprises higher minimum wage benchmarks for Saudi nationals employed in the private sector, as part of the Nitaqat initiative aimed at increasing Saudi employment. The minimum monthly wage for a Saudi worker to qualify as a full contributor to a company’s nationalization quota will rise to 5,000 riyals, with the figure increasing to 6,000 riyals after six months.

This support package is designed to mitigate the economic impact of the utility tariff hikes while maintaining wage levels and fostering long-term employment for Saudi nationals in the private sector.

Saudi Arabia has been grappling with recurrent attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which have disrupted operations at the Riyadh airport and paralyzed sections of the capital, threatening the country's ambitious Vision 2030 economic overhaul. The attacks coincide with Saudi Arabia's pursuit of Vision 2030, a decade-old program spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed to diversify the kingdom's economy away from oil dependence and develop it into a hub for tourism, international events, and multinational businesses.

However, the strategy has encountered growing challenges due to the broader Middle Eastern conflict, including Iranian strikes on US allies in the Gulf. The recent surge in Houthi aggression adds further strain, targeting vital infrastructure such as oil facilities and airports.