BRAND BUILDERS

SAUDI ARABIA

Monarchy ruled by King Abdullah Al Saud

Capital: Riyadh. Business hub: Jeddah

23.9 million inhabitants

56% under 20 years old

High unemployment, strong poverty

Relative evolution of women status

GDP: US$349 billion, real growth: 4.2%

GDP per capita: US$14,581

1st Arab economy, heavily oil reliant. Slow diversification. Liberalization to accelerate with WTO accession.

Focus on residential developments. Launch of major ‘economic cities’.

First regional tourist destination due to pilgrimage.

Retail surface expected to double by 2010. Shift from street shopping to malls. New developments with improved standards.