Digital Transformation In The Gulf As A Catalyst For Economic Diversification Across GCC

The Knowledge Hub organised a workshop in Riyadh titled "The Gulf Economic Update (GEU)" as part of the partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Competitiveness Center and the World Bank Group. The event focused on using digital transformation to raise productivity and support sustainable, resilient growth aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Officials and experts discussed how digital tools could widen economic diversification in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf Cooperation Council region. The workshop examined ways to create new jobs, strengthen non-oil sectors and reinforce long-term stability, while keeping policy efforts consistent with national reform priorities already under way in the Kingdom.

A core part of the workshop was a presentation of the latest GEU report, titled "The Gulf’s Digital Transformation – A Powerful Engine for Economic Diversification." Speakers reviewed major findings on how data, innovation and digital services may help Gulf countries expand their economies, accelerate private sector growth and improve government efficiency across key sectors.

The workshop "The Gulf Economic Update (GEU)" brought together 44 officials from 16 Saudi government entities, along with World Bank Group specialists. Participants included representatives from bodies directly responsible for economic diversification and digital transformation in the Kingdom, ensuring that discussions drew on technical expertise and on-the-ground policy experience from across the public sector.

The Knowledge Hub is a joint initiative between Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Competitiveness Center, and the World Bank Group. It followed the World Bank’s decision to recognise Saudi Arabia as a global reference for knowledge on economic reform, reflecting the Kingdom’s experience in implementing reforms that other countries now study to strengthen competitiveness.

With inputs from SPA