Saudi Red Sea Authority, Insurance Authority to Launch Saudi 1st Coastal Tourism Insurance Product

Saudi Red Sea Authority, Insurance Authority to Launch Saudi 1st Coastal Tourism Insurance Product
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Saudi Red Sea Authority, Insurance Authority to Launch Saudi 1st Coastal Tourism Insurance Product

Saudi Red Sea Authority, Insurance Authority to Launch Saudi 1st Coastal Tourism Insurance Product

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) and the Insurance Authority have signed a cooperation agreement to launch insurance products that cover risks associated with all coastal tourism activities through local insurance companies, according to a press release issued by SRSA.
This initiative aims to enhance the appeal of coastal tourism, attract participants in navigational and marine tourism activities, and strengthen local content in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
The agreement was signed by SRSA CEO Mohammed Al Nasser and Insurance Authority CEO Eng. Naji Al-Faisal Al-Tamimi.
The release noted that the launch of these insurance products aligns with SRSA's mandate to promote navigational and marine tourism, providing a comprehensive tourism experience and establishing a model infrastructure that attracts investment in the sector.
The Insurance Authority is similarly committed to fostering industry growth and development by coordinating with other government entities to enhance its activities through a range of innovative insurance products that stimulate and protect investments.
In partnership with the Insurance Authority, SRSA held a series of meetings with insurance companies to develop these products, aiming to enhance the appeal of navigational and marine tourism activities—including sailing, kayaking, water skiing, diving, boating, and surfing—to better serve practitioners' needs.
SRSA began its efforts to build and regulate the coastal tourism sector in 2021, with objectives that include enhancing integration among relevant entities by issuing licenses and permits, developing policies and strategies, determining infrastructure requirements, preserving the marine environment, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and promoting navigational and marine tourism activities, thereby adding value to the national economy.
Established by Cabinet Resolution No. 85 on August 15, 2023, the Insurance Authority is responsible for organizing, stabilizing, and developing Saudi Arabia's insurance sector. Benefiting from legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and organizational affiliation with the Prime Minister, the Authority is dedicated to increasing insurance awareness, safeguarding the rights of the insured and beneficiaries, contributing to financial stability, and reinforcing the principles underlying insurance contractual relationships.



Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

State Street Global Advisors, a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, announced that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested SAR 750 million ($200 million) in the newly launched SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Aggregate Bond ETF.

According to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, this fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It is listed in both the London Stock Exchange and Germany’s Xetra, offering investors the opportunity to track government and quasi-government bonds denominated in either the Saudi Riyal or the US Dollar, including sukuk (Islamic bonds).

This investment aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, representing a significant step toward enhancing the international presence of Saudi Arabia’s financial markets and attracting foreign investments. The fund is available to investors across several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy.

Commenting on the investment, Yazid Al-Humaid, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, said: “The fund continues to create opportunities and enable access to diverse capital markets in the Kingdom. Investing in the first internationally listed Saudi fixed-income ETF underscores PIF’s commitment to deepening Saudi capital markets, attracting investors, and fostering partnerships across global financial centers.”

CEO of State Street Global Advisors Yi-Hsin Hung emphasized that the launch of the fund is a significant milestone in providing innovative opportunities for investors while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.