Fitch Ratings Raises Saudi Arabia IDR, Says World Bank Reason and High Dependence on Oil Remain a Weakness for the Country's Rating

Published: May 10, 2023 17:05 (GMT+8)
Fitch raised Saudi Arabia's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) to 'A+' from 'A', citing the country's strong fiscal position and strong foreign exchange reserves.

Fitch raised Saudi Arabia's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) to 'A+' from 'A', citing the country's strong fiscal position and strong foreign exchange reserves.

The Saudi Arabia economy still remains highly dependent on oil.

Fitch noted that, in addition to the World Bank's poor governance indicators and vulnerability to geopolitical impact, as well as high dependence on oil remains a weakness in the ratings of the Saudi Arabia economy.

Fitch Ratings said last month that Saudi Arabia's budget would be close to balance this year, compared with a 2.5% surplus last year, due to lower average oil price expectations in 2023 ($85 per barrel according to Fitch forecast) and lower oil production.

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