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China’s Dollar Bond Launch in Saudi Arabia Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation

The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
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China’s Dollar Bond Launch in Saudi Arabia Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation

The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA

China has issued $2 billion in dollar-denominated bonds on the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul), its first such offering in US dollars since 2021. The move highlights deepening economic cooperation between Beijing and Riyadh.

The bonds, launched on Wednesday, attracted strong demand, with orders exceeding $25.7 billion—more than 12 times the intended amount, according to Bloomberg.

China’s Ministry of Finance had announced plans earlier this month to sell bonds with three- and five-year maturities. Bloomberg noted the choice of Saudi Arabia as an unusual venue, as such deals are typically conducted in financial hubs like London or New York.

Jessica Wong, managing partner at EW Partners—a firm supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund—said the decision reflects China’s interest in strengthening ties with Saudi investors.

“Issuing bonds in US dollars makes them more attractive to global investors. It’s a clear signal that China values its partnership with Saudi Arabia,” Wong told Asharq Al-Awsat.

She added that the move follows Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Saudi Arabia in September, which opened doors for further joint investment projects.

The Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, offers major opportunities for Chinese technology companies as the region undergoes rapid economic changes, explained Wong.

Saudi Arabia is driving technological progress in key areas like logistics, infrastructure, and financial technology.

“The transformation is happening at an incredible pace, and China sees huge potential for collaboration,” Wong said.

She noted that many infrastructure and investment projects are already in progress, creating more chances for partnerships.

The region’s location, connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, makes it a key trade hub. Wong added that the Belt and Road Initiative is boosting connectivity and opening new business opportunities for Chinese companies.

EW Partners is helping strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and China through major initiatives, affirmed Wong.

One key project is a special economic zone at King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, designed to attract over 3,000 traders and 200 light manufacturing companies from China and Asia.

“This will create jobs, develop skills, and increase revenues for Saudi Arabia,” Wong said.

She also highlighted a $50 million deal with Lenovo’s subsidiary, Leshines, signed during the Future Investment Initiative. The investment will localize the company’s supply chain operations in Saudi Arabia.

“This is a strong example of how Chinese firms can grow sustainably in the Saudi market,” Wong added.

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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has made history by uniting the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt the Riyadh Treaty on Design Law. This landmark achievement, realized after two decades of deliberation, underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the global intellectual property system.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare event for WIPO, which has not held a diplomatic conference outside Geneva for more than a decade. It was also the first such event hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, representing the final stage of negotiations to establish an agreement aimed at simplifying and standardizing design protection procedures across member states.

Over the past two weeks, intensive discussions and negotiations among member states culminated in the adoption of the Riyadh Treaty, which commits signatory nations to a unified set of requirements for registering designs, ensuring consistent and streamlined procedures worldwide. The agreement is expected to have a significant positive impact on designers, enabling them to protect their creations more effectively and uniformly across international markets.

At a press conference held on Friday to mark the event’s conclusion, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem highlighted the economic potential of the new protocol.

Responding to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Suwailem noted the substantial contributions of young Saudi men and women in creative design. He explained that the agreement will enable their designs to be formally protected, allowing them to enter markets as valuable, tradable assets.

He also emphasized the symbolic importance of naming the convention the Riyadh Treaty, stating that it reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a bridge between cultures and a global center for innovative initiatives.

The treaty lays critical legal foundations to support designers and drive innovation worldwide, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting international collaboration in the creative industries and underscoring its leadership in building a sustainable future for innovators.

The agreement also advances global efforts to enhance creativity, protect intellectual property, and stimulate innovation on a broader scale.

This achievement further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for groundbreaking initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing creativity, safeguarding designers’ rights, and driving the development of creative industries on an international scale.

The Riyadh Diplomatic Conference, held from November 11 to 22, was hosted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and attracted high-ranking officials and decision-makers from WIPO member states.