News - Middle East: Authoritarian regimes with endemic corruption, like China and Saudi regimes , have not done as well on the annual “Doing Business” rankings, prompting pro-development policy changes, The Hill reported.

DBI rankings have also embarrassed countries like Saudi Arabia as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil and attract foreign direct investment.

The "Government Defense Integrity" organization highlighted the spread of corruption in Saudi institutions during the reign of King Salman and his son, the Crown Prince.

The organization said that Saudi Arabia "suffers from serious signs of corruption in its defense institutions, such as the lack of transparency in operations, financial affairs and procurement."

It pointed out that Saudi Arabia is trying to cover up these scandals by announcing the arrest of some officials and officers. It noted that Saudi Arabia loses huge sums of money due to these indicators through bribery and embezzlement.

Mohammed bin Salman deliberately promotes continuous anti-corruption campaigns in order to cover up his practices and the massive corruption, Saudi observers and activists said.

They highlight that bin Salman is arresting officials and military personnel on charges of corruption, when in fact he is the largest corrupt person in the history of the Kingdom. 

During his reign, foreign reserves reached their lowest levels, public debt rose to its highest levels, prices of goods and taxes increased.

In addition, Mohammed bin Salman spent millions on his personal desires and the purchase of influence to support his position internally and regionally without regard to the interest of the Saudi people.

However, recently, Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of 207 employees in about 12 government ministries on charges of financial and administrative corruption, in the latest campaign launched by the Anti-Corruption Commission.