Economic experts and specialists told Asharq Al-Awsat that the peaceful nuclear agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States marks a new and unprecedented phase of strategic, high-value cooperation between the two countries. They said the agreement extends beyond its technical and developmental impact on the energy sector, strengthening the Kingdom's credibility in international markets as an attractive hub for cross-border investment. It also provides the Saudi economy with greater resilience and stronger protection against unexpected global shocks, drives a qualitative leap in local manufacturing, and advances the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Analyzing the agreement's benefits, Shura Council member Fadl bin Saad Al-Buainain told Asharq Al-Awsat that the deal carries major strategic and economic significance. From a strategic perspective, it deepens the longstanding partnership between Riyadh and Washington and provides a framework for long-term cooperation that supports key aspects of comprehensive national security. Al-Buainain stressed that the agreement should be viewed through a broad strategic lens rather than being assessed solely on the basis of direct costs and returns. He said its benefits extend across the economy, including water security, energy security, and regional stability, with Saudi Arabia serving as the region's central pillar. Benefits for the National Energy Sector Discussing the agreement's direct impact on energy and natural resources, Al-Buainain said the introduction of peaceful nuclear energy would improve production efficiency in sectors vital to the economy, particularly electricity generation and water desalination, which remain strategic priorities for the Kingdom's water security. He added that using nuclear power to generate electricity would free up substantial volumes of oil and natural gas currently consumed by domestic power plants. Those resources could then be redirected toward exports to increase government revenues while also helping meet growing domestic demand, particularly from the industrial, mining, and advanced technology sectors. He also noted the Kingdom's ambition to make optimal use of its uranium reserves and develop uranium enrichment capabilities to achieve self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel and strengthen the sovereignty of its energy sector. Localizing Advanced Technologies Addressing the agreement's long-term horizon, Al-Buainain said the approximately 30-year accord establishes a lasting partnership that will help ensure continued investment flows, technology transfer, and stronger ties with leading US companies. He said the partnership is expected to serve as a gateway for advanced technologies and high-value industries linked to the nuclear sector while developing the skills of young Saudi professionals. This would support economic diversification and create a new growth sector underpinning a wide range of productive industries. He also pointed to the possibility of exporting electricity to neighboring countries through regional power interconnection networks. Attracting Foreign Investment For his part, Dr. Abdulrahman Baashen, head of the Al-Shorouq Center for Economic Studies in Jazan, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the agreement lays the most important strategic foundation for a first-of-its-kind bilateral partnership, raising the level of industrial and technological cooperation between the two countries. He said the agreement would accelerate the Kingdom's efforts to improve energy efficiency, expand clean energy, protect the environment, and achieve its net-zero emissions targets under the commitments of Saudi Vision 2030. Baashen added that the partnership opens broad opportunities to introduce and localize advanced industries that complement strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced chip production. He said this would enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products in global markets and strengthen the stability of the Kingdom's industrial base. Baashen concluded that the agreement's most significant immediate impact lies in enhancing the Saudi economy's overall reliability in the eyes of global investors and international companies. He said this would stimulate foreign direct investment and pave the way for international and regional partnership projects that would provide the national economy with stronger protection against economic shocks and global volatility.
