Saudi Energy Minister Says Markets Need Light-Handed Regulation

Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi Energy Minister Says Markets Need Light-Handed Regulation

Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Monday said on Monday international energy markets need light-handed regulation to limit volatility.

Speaking at the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, Prince Abdulaziz said there was ongoing uncertainty about European growth and central bank action to tackle inflation.

He noted that supply and demand forecasts are not always reliable.

"It's always better to go by my motto, which is, 'I believe it when I see it.' When reality comes around as it's been forecast, Hallelujah, we can produce more."

Saudi Arabia and Russia on Sept. 5 extended voluntary supply cuts of a combined 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to year end. OPEC, Russia and allied producers are known as OPEC+.

The congress is a five-day gathering of officials from oil-producing companies and countries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada's oil capital.



Saudi Arabia Allows Foreigners to Invest in Firms with Property in Makkah, Madinah

The CMA said that under Monday's move foreign investment would be limited to shares, convertible debt instruments, or both. SPA
The CMA said that under Monday's move foreign investment would be limited to shares, convertible debt instruments, or both. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Allows Foreigners to Invest in Firms with Property in Makkah, Madinah

The CMA said that under Monday's move foreign investment would be limited to shares, convertible debt instruments, or both. SPA
The CMA said that under Monday's move foreign investment would be limited to shares, convertible debt instruments, or both. SPA

Saudi Arabia's market regulator said on Monday it would allow foreign investment in listed companies that own real estate within Islam's two holiest sites of Makkah and Madinah.

Saudi Arabia's market watchdog, the Capital Market Authority (CMA), said in a statement the move aimed to attract foreign capital and provide liquidity for present and future projects in the two cities.

The CMA said that under Monday's move foreign investment would be limited to shares, convertible debt instruments, or both, and would exclude "strategic foreign investors.”

It added that people without Saudi nationality would not be allowed to own more than 49% of shares of the firms involved.

In 2021, it allowed non-Saudis to subscribe to real estate funds investing within the boundaries of Makkah and Madinah.