Dr. Nasser Saidi’s comments on Saudi Arabia’s austerity drive & tripling of VAT were part of the Reuters article titled “Promise of future prosperity fades as austerity hits Saudis’ pockets”, which was published on 12th May 2020.
Comments are posted below.
Dubai-based economist Nasser Saidi said any additional revenues from the VAT hike would be negligible and the move will likely sharpen the recession. “It would add an unnecessary shock to the system at a time when businesses are struggling to stay afloat, households are experiencing lower incomes and expatriates without jobs are returning home,” he said.
Comments on Saudi Arabia's austerity drive in Reuters, 12 May 2020
13 May, 2020
read < 1 minute
Read Next
media page
“MENA + Pakistan region faces $420–$510bn climate adaptation funding gap”, Interview with Zawya Projects, 7 Nov 2025
Dr. Nasser Saidi’s interview with Zawya Projects titled “MENA + Pakistan region faces $420–$510bn climate
7 November, 2025
TV and radio
Interview with Al Arabiya on the Fed’s second rate cut in ’25, 29 Oct 2025
In this TV interview with Al Arabiya aired on 29th October 2025, Dr. Nasser
30 October, 2025
media page
Op-ed in CNN Business Arabic on the Fed’s monetary policy move & effect on the GCC, 28 Oct 2025
The below opinion piece was published in CNN Business Arabic on 28th October 2025.
29 October, 2025







