SAMA’s Reserve Assets Reach Highest Levels Since 2022

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
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SAMA’s Reserve Assets Reach Highest Levels Since 2022

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Reuters)

The total reserve assets of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) increased by 5.5 percent in June on an annual basis, to reach SAR 1.754 trillion ($467.5 billion), compared to SAR 1.66 trillion ($442 billion) in the same period of last year, recording their highest levels since November of 2022.
According to SAMA’s monthly statistical bulletin, reserve assets increased slightly on a monthly basis from SAR 1.752 trillion ($467 billion) in May, to SAR 1.754 trillion ($467.5 billion).
The value of financial investments abroad grew by approximately 7 percent, compared to the same period of 2023, to reach SAR 1.01 trillion ($269 billion) after amounting to SAR 950.87 billion ($253 billion), increasing by 1 percent on a monthly basis.
In contrast, reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased by 10.7 percent compared to June 2023, recording SAR 13.3 billion ($3.5 billion).
Saudi reserve assets include investments in foreign securities, foreign exchange, deposits abroad, reserves with the International Monetary Fund, special drawing rights, and monetary gold.



Qatar Records Budget Surplus of $713 Mln in Q2 

15 December 2022, Qatar, Doha: Three men stand in front of the skylines in Doha. (dpa)
15 December 2022, Qatar, Doha: Three men stand in front of the skylines in Doha. (dpa)
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Qatar Records Budget Surplus of $713 Mln in Q2 

15 December 2022, Qatar, Doha: Three men stand in front of the skylines in Doha. (dpa)
15 December 2022, Qatar, Doha: Three men stand in front of the skylines in Doha. (dpa)

Qatar recorded a budget surplus of 2.6 billion riyals ($713.31 million) in the second quarter of 2024, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday, adding it would use it to reduce public debt.

The Gulf state, among the world's biggest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), posted a surplus of 2 billion riyals in the first quarter.

Total revenue for the second quarter was down 12.4% compared to the prior year period, at 59.9 billion riyals, the ministry said, after weaker demand curbed international gas prices.

Spending in the quarter fell almost 2% to 57.3 billion riyals, year-on-year.

The entire surplus would go towards lowering Qatar's public debt, leaving no cash surplus, the ministry said.

Like regional peers, Qatar has accelerated efforts to diversify economic sectors and revenue streams, but remains reliant on gas revenue for government income.

In December it forecast that oil and gas revenue would fall by 14.5% in 2024 while non-oil revenue is expected to rise by about 2.4%.