ALULA — Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim said on Sunday that advanced economies may be more exposed to shocks. “These economies also tend to have a greater ability to withstand them while emerging economies possess a comparable degree of resilience,” he said while addressing a session at the 2026 AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies. Al-Ibrahim stressed the importance of continued support for emerging economies that are progressing at a slower pace. “Confronting current challenges is not merely about preserving stability, but about managing day-to-day disruptions in a professional and effective manner,” he said. Al-Ibrahim emphasized that the current period represents a genuine opportunity for these economies to identify new sources of value. However, he cautioned that decisive action is required, as the economic costs of delay will continue to rise over time. The minister said that Saudi Arabia has successfully navigated and benefited from shifts in international trade, having been better prepared for these changes through the diversification efforts under Vision 2030. “As a result of this, the Kingdom has assumed a more pivotal role in global trade and has been able to seize the opportunities arising from these transformations,” he said. Al-Ibrahim explained that global trade is undergoing significant change due to trade tensions between the United States and China, though it has not reached the point of collapse. He emphasized that no external party should dictate how emerging economies respond during this temporary period of disruption in global trade. “Emerging economies with strong institutional capacity and robust regulatory frameworks are best positioned to navigate these shifts and absorb related disruptions,” he said.
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