Saudi Arabia Approves First ETFs Tracking Hong Kong-listed Equities 

Saudi Arabia Approves First ETFs Tracking Hong Kong-listed Equities 
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Saudi Arabia Approves First ETFs Tracking Hong Kong-listed Equities 

Saudi Arabia Approves First ETFs Tracking Hong Kong-listed Equities 

Saudi Arabia has granted approval for its first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking equities listed in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) said, marking the debut of such a product in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's CMA said in a statement it approved local asset manager AlBilad Investment Company's request to offer "Albilad CSOP MSCI Hong Kong China Equity ETF" units on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).

The ETF is a collaborative effort with Hong Kong's CSOP Asset Management, and focused on Hong Kong-listed companies including Chinese firms traded in the city.

Last November, Hong Kong launched Asia's first ETF tracking Saudi equities - CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF - and has been actively seeking cross-listing opportunities in both capital markets.

The Hong Kong-listed ETF's size has expanded to nearly HK$10 billion ($1.28 billion).

In June, Julia Leung, CEO of Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), visited Saudi Arabia to meet officials and discuss the potential listing of the ETFs on each other's exchanges.

China also approved its first two mainland listed ETFs tracking Hong Kong's CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF in June, seeking to further strengthen financial sector cooperation between the two regions and provide Chinese investors exposure to Middle East companies.



Honda and Nissan Reportedly Consider Mutual Production of Vehicles

FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
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Honda and Nissan Reportedly Consider Mutual Production of Vehicles

FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, US, April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo/File Photo

Honda and Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to deepen ties and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.
Honda will consider supplying hybrid vehicles to Nissan as part of the plan, the report said, without citing the source of the information.
A merger of Honda, Japan's second-largest car company, and Nissan, its third-largest, would create the world's third-largest auto group by vehicle sales, behind Toyota and Volkswagen, making 7.4 million vehicles a year, Reuters said.
The two automakers forged a strategic partnership in March to cooperate in electric vehicle development, but Nissan has faced financial and strategic troubles in recent months.
As announced, Honda, "Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors are in the process of bringing together our strengths and exploring potential forms of cooperation, but nothing has been decided yet,” a Honda spokesperson said, when asked about the report.
Nissan declined to comment, saying the details of the report were not based on a company announcement. Nissan is the top shareholder in Mitsubishi Motors.
Kyodo said Honda could use Nissan's car factory in Britain, as it now only has factories for engines and motorcycles in Europe.
The move comes amid concerns over how president-elect Donald Trump's policies may shake up manufacturing with his promises of protectionist trade policies, the report said.