DMDF 2024 Explores Dynamics of Saudi Financial Market

A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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DMDF 2024 Explores Dynamics of Saudi Financial Market

A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous conference organized by the Saudi Financial Academy (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Debt Markets and Financial Derivatives Forum (DMDF 2024), set to launch on Sunday in Riyadh, will focus on key principles aimed at exploring the dynamics of the Saudi financial market.
Organized by the Financial Academy, the forum will be held under the patronage of Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority and the Board of Trustees of the Financial Academy, with the participation of industry leaders, experts, and specialists from the financial securities sector.
The forum will examine emerging trends and insights from experts and CEOs in the financial sector, contributing to the mission of the Financial Academy, which aims to leverage its resources to provide high-level specialized services that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Mana bin Mohammed Al-Khamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the forum comes in parallel with the Kingdom’s ongoing advancements, driven by Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve exceptional results across all areas, particularly the economic sector, a cornerstone of the country’s development.
Key Focus Areas
According to Al-Khamsan, the forum will address several major topics in the financial sector, including strategic partnerships with local and international exchanges, such as collaborations with the Saudi Tadawul Group and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It will also include partnerships with renowned international organizations like the CFA Institute and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).
He added that a central focus will be on the debt and derivatives markets, which are expected to experience significant growth in the near future due to recent legal and regulatory reforms. These markets will play a crucial role in diversifying financing sources and improving liquidity.
The CEO of the Financial Academy also noted that the debt and derivatives markets in Saudi Arabia are experiencing rapid growth, and are expected to play a vital role in expanding funding sources and enhancing liquidity over the next few years.
Additionally, the official anticipated a rise in foreign investments in the Saudi financial market due to an improved regulatory environment and increased confidence among international investors.
Future Outlook
According to Al-Khamsan, the forum will shed light on these transformations through panel discussions and dialogues centered on future trends and challenges facing these markets. It will also present innovative solutions to keep pace with global financial market developments.
The forum aims to deliver measurable outcomes by tracking the impact of the Financial Academy’s initiatives on career development within the sector and fostering the principles of continuous professional training across the Kingdom’s financial industry, he underlined.
Al-Khamsan continued that the forum seeks to raise awareness and facilitate the exchange of expertise on modern financial instruments and risk management, while solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading investment destination regionally and globally. This will be achieved through collaboration with prestigious local and international entities such as the Saudi Tadawul Group, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the CFA Institute.

 

 



Türkiye TPAO, Shell Sign Deal to Carry out Exploration Work offshore Bulgaria

A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
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Türkiye TPAO, Shell Sign Deal to Carry out Exploration Work offshore Bulgaria

A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)

Türkiye Petrolleri (TPAO) has signed a partnership agreement with Shell to carry out exploration work in Bulgaria's maritime zone, the Turkish energy ministry and British oil major said on Wednesday.

European Union member Bulgaria, which had been totally dependent on Russian gas until 2022, has been seeking to diversify its gas supplies and find cheaper sources, Reuters reported.

TPAO and Shell will jointly explore the Khan Tervel block, located near Türkiye's Sakarya gas field, and will hold a five-year licence in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.

Shell will continue as operator of the block, while TPAO will take a 33% interest in the licence, a Shell spokesperson said.

Since the start of this year, TPAO has signed energy cooperation agreements with ExxonMobil, Chevron and BP for possible exploration work in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

In April, Shell signed a contract with Bulgaria's government to allow the oil major to explore 4,000 square metres in the block.


Saudia Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City

udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
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Saudia Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City

udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA

Saudia Airlines has signed a five-year strategic partnership with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City, becoming the official premier partner exclusively in the airline category.

As part of the partnership, Saudia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions. The collaboration also brings the spirit of Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City to the skies through special aircraft branding across Saudia’s fleet, SPA reported. 

Chief Marketing Officer of Saudia Group Khaled Tash said in a press release: "Saudia is committed to supporting national development projects as part of its contribution to Vision 2030, aligned with our strategy to bring the world to the Kingdom. Partnerships of this scale with national partners play a key role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for entertainment and tourism."

Park President of Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City Brian Machamer added: "Our partnership with Saudia not only reflects a shared ambition to connect the Kingdom to the world through world-class entertainment experiences, but strengthens our ability to attract visitors from around the world and realize our vision of setting a new global benchmark for immersive, world-class theme park entertainment and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global tourism stage."

Six Flags Qiddiya City sets a new benchmark for exceptional entertainment regionally and globally. Spanning six iconic themed lands, the theme park takes visitors on an immersive journey across 28 rides and attractions designed to world-class standards. Beyond the scale and diversity of its offerings, Six Flags Qiddiya City stands out for pushing the boundaries of engineering and entertainment, featuring five exclusive, record-breaking rides that have redefined global benchmarks. Leading these innovations is Falcons Flight, the roller coaster that has captured global attention as the fastest, tallest, and longest in the world.

Aquarabia Qiddiya City delivers a distinctive aquatic entertainment experience, offering 22 rides and water attractions, along with a man-made river designed for both relaxation and family-friendly water fun. For guests seeking privacy and elevated comfort, Aquarabia features 91 luxury cabanas, positioning the destination as a fully integrated leisure offering that redefines water-based entertainment to the highest international standards.

Located in the Tuwaiq Mountains near Riyadh, Qiddiya City is an emerging destination bringing together entertainment, sports, and culture. Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City form part of its entertainment offering.


Moody’s Establishes Regional HQ in Riyadh, Deepening Presence in Region

(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
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Moody’s Establishes Regional HQ in Riyadh, Deepening Presence in Region

(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Moody’s Corporation announced that it has established its regional headquarters in Riyadh, reflecting ongoing commitment to support the development of the Kingdom’s capital markets and economy.

“This investment aligns to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative and underscores its dynamism and growth,” Moody’s said in a statement this week.

The new regional headquarters marks an expansion of Moody’s presence in Saudi Arabia, where the company first opened an office in 2018, and reflects its longstanding commitment to the Middle East.

“The headquarters will strengthen Moody’s engagement with Saudi institutions and enable broader access to Moody’s decision grade data, analytics and insights,” said the statement.

“Our decision to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh reflects our confidence in Saudi Arabia’s strong economic momentum, as well as our commitment to helping domestic and international investors unlock opportunities with our expertise and insights,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s Rob Fauber.

“We are well positioned to provide the analytical capabilities and market intelligence that investors and institutions need to navigate evolving markets across the Middle East,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Mahmoud Totonji will lead the regional headquarters as General Manager.