Saudi Arabia's latest economic plan comes with big risks, can hit finances

Saudi Arabia’s latest economic plan comes with a big risk: while it might help boost investment, it could also hit the government’s finances.
 
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants the kingdom’s biggest companies — including oil giant Saudi Aramco and chemical maker Sabic — to reduce their dividends, most of which are paid to the state, and spend the money locally.
 
The idea is that their expenditure on new infrastructure and technology will be big enough to accelerate the country’s growth and cause a jobs boom.
 
The de facto leader’s strategy amounts to a “sacrificing of current