DUBAI - Saudi Arabia has so far disbursed about a fifth of
the much-needed aid it promised to Arab countries since uprisings erupted in the
region last year, according to the IMF, which cited data from Riyadh's finance
ministry.
Riyadh pledged a total of $17.9 billion in loans, grants and
other support between the start of 2011 and June 1 this year, to be disbursed
over several years, potentially making it a key donor as Arab countries struggle
to repair economic damage caused by the uprisings.
It disbursed $3.7
billion of that amount during the period, the International Monetary Fund said
in a report on the Saudi Arabian economy, released this week after regular
consultations with the Saudi government.