Al-Badr to Asharq Al-Awsat: Exploring Opportunities for Saudi-Japanese Cooperation in Vital Sectors

Al-Badr talking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese round-table meeting.
Al-Badr talking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese round-table meeting.
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Al-Badr to Asharq Al-Awsat: Exploring Opportunities for Saudi-Japanese Cooperation in Vital Sectors

Al-Badr talking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese round-table meeting.
Al-Badr talking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese round-table meeting.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment for Communication with Investors, Badr Al-Badr, unveiled joint efforts by the Saudi and Japanese governments to explore investment opportunities in several vital sectors.

Al-Badr told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi-Japanese relations were developing at all levels, thanks to the converging visions of the two countries’ leaderships.

He pointed to a round-table meeting, which was organized by the Ministry of Investment on Sunday, in the presence of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Saudi Investment Minister Khaled al-Falih and representatives of a number of government and private agencies, within the framework of the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030 Committee.

He noted that the meeting was aimed at strengthening economic and investment relations between the Kingdom and Japan, and exploring investment opportunities in a number of sectors, including: petrochemicals, energy, health care, mining, financial and logistical services, technology and infrastructure, and others.

Al-Badr added that 26 agreements and MOUs were signed between major Saudi and Japanese companies, which he said highlighted the volume of investment opportunities that would be activated between the Kingdom and Japan, in many vital sectors.

According to Al-Badr, the two countries, which assume a major role within the G20, are keen to promote and develop joint investments.

Japan is the Kingdom’s third largest trading partner, while 110 Japanese companies operate in the Kingdom in various fields, including energy and technology, the Saudi official said.



Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

State Street Global Advisors, a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, announced that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested SAR 750 million ($200 million) in the newly launched SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Aggregate Bond ETF.

According to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, this fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It is listed in both the London Stock Exchange and Germany’s Xetra, offering investors the opportunity to track government and quasi-government bonds denominated in either the Saudi Riyal or the US Dollar, including sukuk (Islamic bonds).

This investment aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, representing a significant step toward enhancing the international presence of Saudi Arabia’s financial markets and attracting foreign investments. The fund is available to investors across several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy.

Commenting on the investment, Yazid Al-Humaid, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, said: “The fund continues to create opportunities and enable access to diverse capital markets in the Kingdom. Investing in the first internationally listed Saudi fixed-income ETF underscores PIF’s commitment to deepening Saudi capital markets, attracting investors, and fostering partnerships across global financial centers.”

CEO of State Street Global Advisors Yi-Hsin Hung emphasized that the launch of the fund is a significant milestone in providing innovative opportunities for investors while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.