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A sovereign wealth fund for the Prince: economic reforms and power consolidation in Saudi Arabia
- Source :
- SWP Research Paper
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- DEU, 2019.
-
Abstract
- With the “Vision 2030” development plan, Saudi Arabia wants to diversify its economy and end its dependence on oil in the long term. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is of particular importance here. By 2030, it is to become the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund (SWF) and manage finan­cial assets worth $2 trillion. The PIF is not designed as a savings fund, but as a stabilisation and development fund: The fund capital is intended to cushion the state budget against price fluctuations on the commodities market, finance development projects, and attract investments and know-how from abroad to the kingdom. The analysis shows, however, that the expansion of the PIF is primarily motivated by power politics. The SWF gives Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman direct access to the state’s substantial financial resources. He can use these resources according to his preferences and thus purchase the loyalty of politically important factions within the elite. In addition, Bin Salman could use the PIF to “buy” international support for his political goals. Through the SWF, the economic transformation in Saudi Arabia is closely linked to the consolidation of the crown prince’s rule. Decision-makers in Germany and Europe should be aware of these functions of the PIF. Economic cooperation with the kingdom involving the PIF or companies controlled by it has a po­litical dimension that must not be ignored. In addition, a stronger in­volve­ment of the PIF in Europe could require a political impact assessment that would have to examine whether the SWF primarily acts as a profit-seeking investor or whether it is pursuing a foreign policy agenda. (author's abstract)
- Subjects :
- Politik
diversification
Economics
Saudi Arabia
Wirtschaftsentwicklung
Internationale Beziehungen
Beschaffung von Finanzierungsmitteln
Staatliche Investitionsfonds
Mohammed bin Salman
internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen
ddc:330
economic reform
Finanzierung
purpose
Saudi-Arabien
economic policy
economic development (on national level)
Diversifikation
Machtpolitik
Investition
funding
Wirtschaft
Wirtschaftsreform
investment
Herrschaftssicherung
Zielsetzung
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
guarantee of domination
Wirtschaftspolitik
ddc:320
International relations
politics
internationale Beziehungen, Entwicklungspolitik
power politics
ddc:327
international economic relations
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- SWP Research Paper
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....de03b6c0c0cb5672ec120e3019945dc0