Saudi Arabia’s government will pay the SAR180 billion it owes to the country’s contracting firms this year, as it aims to relieve pressure on the construction sector, Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) reported on Thursday, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter. Payments will cover dues that had not been paid since last year, while there is still no clarity on when the remaining backlog of USD10 billion will be cleared. “Nothing has been released as yet, but everything is agreed on who will get how much,” the banker said. “Payments will be released gradually, starting March.” According to one of the sources, a payment plan has been communicated to major contractors, which will be paid in full. (Argaam)