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‘Umm Al-Qura’ Share Offering Strengthens Saudi Market and Boosts Economy

A worker at one of Masar’s projects in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A worker at one of Masar’s projects in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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‘Umm Al-Qura’ Share Offering Strengthens Saudi Market and Boosts Economy

A worker at one of Masar’s projects in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A worker at one of Masar’s projects in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Economic experts and analysts see the plan by the Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction Company (Umm Al-Qura) to list its shares on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) as a strategic move to strengthen the stock market, boost Saudi Arabia’s economy, speed up infrastructure projects and improve life in Makkah.

The move is also expected to increase investor confidence and improve transparency and governance.

Umm Al-Qura is a leading developer of modern destinations and the owner of the Masar project, which aims to serve Makkah’s residents and visitors. It offers an integrated investment ecosystem in the heart of the city, home to the Holy Kaaba.

Umm Al-Qura announced on Monday its plan to offer 130.8 million new shares, representing 9.09% of total shares after a capital increase.

The Masar project in Makkah covers 1.2 million square meters and aims to boost the holy city’s infrastructure, including hotels, housing, shops and cultural centers.

Tadawul gave conditional approval for the listing on December 8, 2024, and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) approved the public offering on December 24, allowing the company to raise funds for land settlements, infrastructure, and expansion.

Founded in 2012, Umm Al-Qura is backed by major Saudi entities like the Public Investment Fund and the General Organization for Social Insurance.

The company plans to use the proceeds from the IPO to fund infrastructure, land settlements and the Masar project, valued at 100 billion riyals ($26.66 billion).

Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, an economics professor at King Faisal University, said this move will strengthen the Saudi stock market, increase the company’s capital and inject new liquidity to speed up infrastructure projects in Makkah.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that this is a better alternative to traditional financing, improving transparency and governance, which will boost investor confidence.

He emphasized that the move supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to fast-track infrastructure projects, promotes religious tourism and contributes to the stock market’s growth, making it the largest in the region.

The company’s projects will also boost Saudi Arabia’s economy by increasing visitors during the Hajj and Umrah, expanding hotel and housing capacity, creating jobs and attracting local and foreign investment.

Dr. Suleiman Al-Hamid Al-Khalidi, a financial markets analyst, explained that the IPO will raise funds for the 100 billion riyal ($26.6 billion) Masar project.

This will strengthen the project and increase the number of companies listed on the Saudi stock market, diversifying investment opportunities, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The listing offers an opportunity for investors to be part of a major project in Makkah, which is likely to attract both local and international interest. The project will have a significant impact on Saudi Arabia's economy, he remarked.

The Masar project, supporting Vision 2030, aims to increase Makkah’s capacity to welcome 30 million visitors by 2030. It will improve infrastructure and boost religious tourism, creating jobs and supporting economic growth.

The project focuses on developing a 3.5-kilometer area in western Makkah with services like accommodation, offices, retail centers and healthcare facilities.

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Business

Saudi Arabia Consolidates Its Position Among the World’s Top 20 Economies in 2026

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) 
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Saudi Arabia Consolidates Its Position Among the World’s Top 20 Economies in 2026

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) 

As the global financial landscape is reshaped by accelerating geopolitical shifts, economic data show that Saudi Arabia has firmly consolidated its place among the world’s 20 largest economies in 2026.

This standing reflects the success of Vision 2030 in diversifying income sources and expanding gross domestic product. The Kingdom ranks 19th globally, outperforming several long-established economies, with GDP projected at $1.316 trillion.

According to data based on International Monetary Fund reports released in October 2025, the global economy is expected to reach $123.6 trillion in 2026. Economic power remains highly concentrated, with the world’s five largest economies accounting for more than 55 percent of total global output:

United States: Continues to lead with GDP of $31.8 trillion, supported by a resilient labor market and sustained consumer spending, with real growth projected at 2.1 percent.

China: Ranks second with an estimated GDP of $20.7 trillion, despite demographic challenges and its transition toward advanced manufacturing.

Germany: Retains Europe’s top position in third place with GDP of $5.3 trillion, despite pressure from high energy costs.

India: The “rising star,” securing fourth place globally with GDP of $4.5 trillion and posting the fastest growth among major economies at 6.2 percent.

Japan: Slips to fifth place with GDP of $4.4 trillion, facing demographic headwinds despite strengths in robotics and automotive industries.

Linked to recent IMF assessments, Saudi Arabia stands out as a key pillar in what experts describe as a new “economic geography.” While many emerging markets have struggled with interest-rate volatility and inflation distortions in advanced economies - particularly the United States - the Kingdom has demonstrated a strong ability to absorb external shocks.

The IMF views Saudi Arabia’s large-scale investments in high-potential sectors not merely as a driver of domestic growth, but as part of a broader global shift in capital flows toward destinations offering stability and long-term attractiveness.

The data also underscore the strong performance of other economies on the list. Brazil ranks 11th with GDP exceeding $2.2 trillion, while Türkiye and Indonesia continue to compete closely in 16th and 17th place, respectively.

 

 

Business

Saudi Industrial Production Index Records Highest Growth Since Early 2023

A facility operated by the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem). (Sipchem)
A facility operated by the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem). (Sipchem)
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Saudi Industrial Production Index Records Highest Growth Since Early 2023

A facility operated by the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem). (Sipchem)
A facility operated by the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem). (Sipchem)

Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index posted a year-on-year increase of 10.4 percent in November 2025, compared with the same month a year earlier, marking its highest growth rate since the beginning of 2023, according to preliminary data. On a monthly basis, however, the index declined by 0.7 percent.

Data released by the General Authority for Statistics on Sunday showed that the index for oil-related activities rose by 12.9 percent year on year in November, while the index for non-oil activities increased by 4.4 percent compared with the same month of the previous year.

Month on month, the index for oil activities recorded a rise of 0.5 percent, while the non-oil activities index fell by 3.4 percent compared with October 2025.

In November, the sub-index for mining and quarrying activities climbed 12.6 percent year on year, driven by higher oil production during the month. Saudi oil output rose to 10.1 million barrels per day, compared with 8.9 million barrels per day in November last year.

On a monthly basis, the mining and quarrying sub-index also increased by 0.5 percent.

The manufacturing sub-index recorded an annual rise of 8.1 percent, supported by a 14.5 percent increase in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, as well as a 10.9 percent rise in the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products.

In monthly terms, preliminary results showed the manufacturing sub-index edged up by 0.3 percent, buoyed by a 0.3 percent increase in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products and a 1.0 percent rise in the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products.

As for other activities, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply fell by 4.3 percent year on year. In contrast, the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities rose by 10.2 percent compared with November last year.

Compared with October 2025, the electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply sub-index dropped sharply by 28.6 percent, while the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities sub-index declined by 3.1 percent.

Business

India and Germany Sign Deals to Deepen Economic and Security Ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a joint statement to the media in Gandhinagar, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a joint statement to the media in Gandhinagar, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP)
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India and Germany Sign Deals to Deepen Economic and Security Ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a joint statement to the media in Gandhinagar, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a joint statement to the media in Gandhinagar, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on Monday in western Gujarat state to push for deeper economic and security ties between the South Asian nation and Europe’s largest economy.

Modi and Merz held talks in the city of Gandhinagar, where the two countries signed various agreements to enhance cooperation in the defense sector, skill development, health and education, as both nations seek to reduce dependence on China and bolster economic ties.

After the bilateral talks, Modi noted that Germany is India’s most important trading partner in the European Union and said both leaders were seeking to expand those ties.

He said the two countries are pursuing new projects in areas such as climate action, energy and mining of rare earth elements, and have also agreed on a road map to boost cooperation between their defense industries for joint development and production.

“We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher level,” Modi said.

Germany has not traditionally had close defense ties with India, but the two sides have been trying to boost cooperation in the sector. Germany’s Thyssenkrupp is expected to partner with Indian firms to build six advanced conventional submarines in India, part of New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to modernize its naval capabilities.

Merz said India and Germany share “tremendous economic potential,” and the two countries are working together to strengthen ties in the field of security policy and defense cooperation.

“India is a desired partner, a partner of choice for Germany,” Merz said, according to a live official translation. He added that negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the EU need to be concluded to fully realize the potential of economic ties between the two countries.

The two sides also signed an agreement that makes it easier for Indians to work in Germany's health care sector.

Merz’s visit to India — also his first to an Asian country since he took office last year — comes ahead of a planned India-EU summit later this month, where leaders hope to make progress on a long-pending free trade agreement. India hopes to deepen economic engagement with Europe in the face of US tariff rates of 50%.

During his visit, Merz toured the Sabarmati Ashram, once home to independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, and attended the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront. Modi and Merz flew kites during the event.