Saudi Arabia Eyes Asian Investments via Shenzhen, Shanghai

Group photo of the listing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Group photo of the listing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Eyes Asian Investments via Shenzhen, Shanghai

Group photo of the listing (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Group photo of the listing (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi financial market has undergone a significant transformation since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030.
The initiatives, programs, and regulatory reforms associated with Vision 2030 have encouraged international investors, index providers, and financial institutions to join the Saudi market.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has worked to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by implementing mechanisms that enhance the pace of attracting foreign investments to the Kingdom.
This includes stimulating international investors, particularly Asian investors, to invest in the Saudi financial market. One notable development is the listing of the first batch of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the Saudi market, such as the Saudi China Southern CSOP Fund and the Saudi Huatai-PineBridge CSOP Fund on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges in China.
During the announcement of the listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, PIF Governor Al-Rumayyan Yasir stressed that these listings are an important step toward enhancing communication among the financial markets of Saudi Arabia and China.
They will provide Asian investors with the opportunity to access the Saudi financial market and observe its sustainable growth driven by the Kingdom's economic transformation.
These two new funds are part of the first batch of ETFs in China capable of investing in the Saudi financial market.
They rely on the model known as listed ETFs, which allow investors to track the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index and invest in the largest market in the Middle East.
This enables investors to gain greater access to one of the fastest-growing and most strategic markets in the world and observe the performance of 56 leading large and medium-cap companies listed on the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul).
The new listing comes as part of the efforts initiated by the PIF to enhance investment flows into the Saudi Arabian capital market.
During the announcement of the listing process on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Al-Rumayyan emphasized that the listing operations are an important step toward enhancing communication between the financial markets in Saudi Arabia and China.
He added that these operations will provide Asian investors with the opportunity to access the Saudi Arabian capital market and observe its sustainable growth driven by the economic transformation in the Kingdom.



‘Saudia’ Expands Flight Network with Over 10 New Destinations in 2025

Saudi Arabian Airlines plane, is seen at the airport of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, August 9, 2021. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabian Airlines plane, is seen at the airport of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, August 9, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

‘Saudia’ Expands Flight Network with Over 10 New Destinations in 2025

Saudi Arabian Airlines plane, is seen at the airport of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, August 9, 2021. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabian Airlines plane, is seen at the airport of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, August 9, 2021. (Reuters)

Saudi Airlines (Saudia) has announced the addition of more than ten new destinations to its flight network for 2025, including Vienna, Venice, Larnaca, Athens, Heraklion , Nice, Malacca, Bali, Antalya, El Alamein, and Salalah. The expansion comes in response to increased international travel demand, with a 16% growth in passenger transport last year, according to SPA.
Saudia Group's General Manager, Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar stated that following the airline's operational success in 2024, a strategic plan has been implemented for 2025 to maintain high performance. Flights have been scheduled to meet operational needs with flexibility throughout the year, particularly during peak seasons, while adapting to industry challenges.

The selection of new destinations was based on feasibility studies and guest demand, aligning with Saudi Arabia's national aviation strategy to reach 250 destinations by 2030.
The newly introduced routes will enhance Saudia's global network, which currently spans over 100 destinations across four continents. With more than 530 daily flights, the airline continues to develop its international operations to increase its market share and strengthen the Kingdom's global connectivity.