by Observerbrb » Tue 18 Apr 2017, 19:40:03
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')What is the significance of the post-2005 buildup and the current collapse?
Hard currency was entering the economy due to the Oil price increase. KSA was able to finance its mega-projects and spread the wealth around.
The current collapse means that Oil sales are no longer covering the financial needs of the state. You have two options in this situation:
- To cut back your spending (which is happening, but it is clearly not enough)
- Increase your revenues
When FX reserves are exhausted, KSA will have a hard time trying to control inflationary forces and mantaining social stability. Because we are living in a globalized world, KSA needs to have access to hard currency (it is currently doing so by selling Oil, NG, etc in US dollars) to import other products (food, equipment, machinery, chemicals, electronics...). As KSA exports consist mainly of Petroleum and related by-products (see:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... reemap.png ), their ability to import the products that sustain their society, their powerful army, their constructions... will shrink in a fast way.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'W')hat exactly does it say about SA and its oil business?
It says that they have 4-5-6 years before their rulers are hung by the masses. I suppose they need some type of miracle to wean their economy off oil in that period.