SOVEREIGN INVESTMENT · KSA
Head of Economic Advisory
Led economic advisory for major real estate and development investments; established SCBA and CGE capability; reviewed economic cases and developed specialist modelling capability.
About Matias
Economics grounded in policy, investment and implementation.
More than two decades translating complex economic questions into practical advice for senior decision-makers.
Professional biography
Independent economic adviser with senior experience in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Matias Vaira is an economist and economic modeller specialising in social cost-benefit analysis, computable general equilibrium modelling, economic impact assessment, urban economics and investment appraisal.
Most recently, he led an economic advisory function within Saudi Arabia’s sovereign investment environment, supporting the economic assessment of major real estate and development investments. He introduced new social cost-benefit analysis and CGE-modelling capabilities, improved the economic review of investment proposals and developed a specialist team.
Previously, as Chief Economist within Saudi Arabia’s economic zones ecosystem, he designed an integrated appraisal framework combining SCBA and CGE modelling. The approach supported the assessment and subsequent approval of four special economic zones.
Earlier in his career, Matias held senior economist roles in the NSW Government, working across labour-market analysis, econometrics, macroeconomics and economic modelling. This combination of government, sovereign investment and economic-development experience allows him to connect technical analysis with the realities of policy and investment decisions.
Core disciplinesSCBA, CGE, econometrics, economic impact and scenario analysis
Client environmentsGovernment, sovereign investment, developers and major projects
Geographic experienceAustralia, Saudi Arabia and international assignments
Working styleIndependent, transparent, decision-focused and executive-ready
Career highlights
Selected senior roles and contributions.
ECONOMIC ZONES · KSA
Chief Economist
Developed an integrated SCBA and CGE appraisal framework that supported the assessment and approval of four special economic zones.
NSW GOVERNMENT · AUSTRALIA
Senior Economist
Delivered labour-market, econometric, macroeconomic and CGE analysis to support policy design and government decision-making.