Al-Jadaan: Saudi alternative route investments protect energy, trade stability

Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan told the G20 that Saudi Arabia’s investments in alternative trade routes have helped maintain energy supplies and trade flows amid regional instability and shipping disruptions.

Speaking in Bangkok on Thursday at the third meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, Al-Jadaan said economic resilience depends on diversifying sources of strength, preserving growth foundations, and building capacity to withstand repeated and prolonged shocks. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

Investment in alternative routes

Al-Jadaan stressed that fiscal policies must protect the pillars of economic growth and that effective international cooperation is essential for maintaining economic stability. He said reliable energy supplies at reasonable prices and the uninterrupted flow of essential goods help contain price pressures and ease the burden on national budgets, allowing countries to manage uncertainty more effectively.

“The Kingdom’s investments in alternative routes underscore the vital role of infrastructure, transportation networks, and supply chains in sustaining energy supplies and trade flows during disruptions, while mitigating their impact on markets and commodity movements,” he stated.

Managing shocks and risks

The minister explained that handling prolonged shocks depends not only on the size of buffers available to countries but also on how effectively those resources are managed over time while retaining sufficient capacity to respond to future developments.

Reducing exposure to risks, he said, requires economic diversification, stronger energy and food security, and more robust supply chains and infrastructure. These priorities have become more critical as disruptions to trade flows, the availability of essential goods, and their costs grow more frequent.

AI readiness and multilateral support

Al-Jadaan also addressed preparedness for artificial intelligence, noting that AI has evolved from a purely technical issue into part of a broader agenda for sustainable growth and economic stability. This, he said, calls for policies that enable economies to adapt to change while preserving opportunities for long-term growth and transformation.

The finance minister emphasised the key role of multilateral financial institutions in assisting the most vulnerable economies with financing pressures through financial and technical assistance programmes and advisory services. “Such support strengthens their ability to manage shocks and maintain economic stability,” he added.

During his stay in Bangkok, Al-Jadaan held meetings with several ministers, officials, and heads of international financial institutions and credit rating agencies. Discussions focused on the latest global economic developments, policies to support stability, and developments and reforms in the Saudi economy, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued efforts to strengthen its role in international economic and financial dialogue.