Public Investment Funds Assets in Saudi Arabia Rise by 37%

The headquarters of the Saudi Capital Market Authority in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The headquarters of the Saudi Capital Market Authority in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Public Investment Funds Assets in Saudi Arabia Rise by 37%

The headquarters of the Saudi Capital Market Authority in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The headquarters of the Saudi Capital Market Authority in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat

The value of public investment fund assets—both domestic and foreign—in the Saudi financial market recorded an annual growth of 37%, increasing by nearly SAR43 billion ($11.6 billion) by the end of the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, bringing the total to SAR160.087 billion ($43.22 billion), compared to SAR117.117 billion ($31.62 billion) during the same period in 2023.

Quarterly, the asset value grew by 10.4%, representing an estimated increase of SAR15.120 billion ($405 million), compared to SAR144.967 billion ($38.6 billion) at the end of the second quarter (Q2) of this year, according to data from the quarterly statistical bulletin of the Capital Market Authority for 2024.

The number of subscribers recorded a 51% increase, representing nearly 528,000 subscribers, to reach 1,570,452 subscribers, compared to 1,042,484 at the end of the same period last year.

This growth was supported by an increase in domestic investment assets, which grew annually by 42%, at SAR39.598 billion, bringing the total to approximately SAR134.431 billion. These assets represent 84% of the total asset value.

Meanwhile, foreign investment assets recorded an annual growth of 15.1%, increasing by over SAR3 billion to reach SAR25.656 billion, which accounts for 16% of the total asset value.
The number of public investment funds grew annually by 10%, with an increase of 27 funds, bringing the total to 310 funds.
Public investment fund assets were distributed across 14 investment types, with the highest value being the money market fund assets, valued at SAR44.868 billion and representing 28% of total assets. Equity fund assets ranked second in value at SAR34.767 billion, accounting for 27.3% of total assets. Real estate investment fund assets were third, reaching SAR29.263 billion and representing 18.3% of total assets. Debt instrument fund assets were fourth, valued at SAR22.236 billion, making up 14% of total assets.



China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)
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China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)

China said on Sunday it would launch 15 measures to bolster the development of its western provinces with the construction of logistical infrastructure such as ports and aviation hubs.

The General Administration of Customs said the measures would enhance the integration of rail, air, river and sea links in China's west, state media reported.

The measures are to include enhancing international aviation hubs in cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an and Urumqi, while developing comprehensive bonded zones, and integrating these with ports and other transport links.

A number of ports would also be built and expanded.

China has long sought to bolster the economic heft of its western regions, which have markedly lagged coastal provinces.

China's western regions comprise around two-thirds of the country's land area and include regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

China's Politburo last year called for a "new urbanization" of western China to revitalize rural areas, expand poverty alleviation efforts and strengthen energy resources. Efforts have also been made to increase linkages to Europe and South Asia through trade corridors including rail freight routes.