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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

Iraq Studies Alternative Options for Oil Exports

Floating oil export loading platforms at the Basra Oil Port, Iraq, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
Floating oil export loading platforms at the Basra Oil Port, Iraq, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
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Iraq Studies Alternative Options for Oil Exports

Floating oil export loading platforms at the Basra Oil Port, Iraq, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
Floating oil export loading platforms at the Basra Oil Port, Iraq, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty

Iraq is studying alternative measures to export crude oil after disruptions to the process amid the US-Israeli war against Iran. At the same time, the country intends to continue producing crude oil at a level of 1.4 million barrels per day.

Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani told the official television channel Al-Iraqiya News that oil exports account for 90 percent of Iraq’s revenues, and that the ministry has decided to continue producing crude oil at 1.4 million barrels per day.

He emphasized that the production and supply of petroleum products to meet domestic demand have not stopped.

He added that refineries are operating at full design capacity to cover local needs, and that sufficient quantities of liquefied gas are available to fully meet domestic needs.

Regarding exports, he explained that the export process has stopped in the south, prompting the government to search for possible alternatives to export crude oil. He revealed that an agreement is close to being signed to export oil through the Turkish Ceyhan pipeline.

Abdul Ghani added that the ministry has prepared a comprehensive plan to manage the current phase, particularly after the new circumstances in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that a plan has been activated to transport 200,000 barrels per day by tanker trucks through Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan.

In a separate context, the oil minister denied that tankers targeted in Iraqi waters belonged to Iraq, explaining that they were not Iraqi vessels and were carrying naphtha.

Iraq recently lost its entire oil export capacity of 3.35 million barrels per day after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz following escalating conflict in the region.

Iraq relies on crude oil sales for about 95 percent of its revenues to meet the needs of the country’s annual federal budget. This means that the country would face a critical situation if the conflict in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz continues.

Business

Gold Set for Weekly Drop as Oil Price Surge Weighs on Rate-cut Hopes

FILE PHOTO: A goldsmith weighs gold jewelry inside a showroom in Ahmedabad, India, July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A goldsmith weighs gold jewelry inside a showroom in Ahmedabad, India, July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
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Gold Set for Weekly Drop as Oil Price Surge Weighs on Rate-cut Hopes

FILE PHOTO: A goldsmith weighs gold jewelry inside a showroom in Ahmedabad, India, July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A goldsmith weighs gold jewelry inside a showroom in Ahmedabad, India, July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo

Gold prices were on track for a second consecutive weekly drop, despite edging up on Friday, as surging energy prices due to the Middle East war dimmed prospects for near-term US interest rate cuts.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $5,095.55 per ounce, as of 0633 GMT on Friday. US gold futures for April delivery fell 0.1% to $5,100.20.

The US 10-year Treasury yields eased, increasing the appeal of the non-yielding bullion. Bullion, however, has ‌lost more ‌than 1% so far this week. Since the war ‌started ⁠on February 28, ⁠it has dropped over 3% so far.

Fears of inflation and questions about the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates if high oil prices persist are somewhat counteracting gold's appeal, said Tim Waterer, KCM Trade chief market analyst.

"Given the ongoing uncertainty about the duration and scope of the conflict in the Middle East, I expect gold to remain on the ⁠radar for investors as a safety play." Heightening geopolitical ‌tensions, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said ‌on Thursday that Tehran will keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed as ‌leverage against the US and Israel, which has stoked concerns about ‌global energy supply and risk assets.

Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel, as attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf and warnings from Iran shattered prospects of quick de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. As oil prices surged, US President Donald ‌Trump again demanded Fed Chair Jerome Powell cut interest rates.

Traders, however, expect the Fed to keep rates ⁠steady in the current ⁠3.5%-3.75% range at the end of its two-day meeting on March 18, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. While recent inflation data suggest price growth is under control, the war and the resulting spike in crude prices have yet to filter through the data.

Investors are awaiting the release of the delayed January Personal Consumption Expenditures Index, expected on Friday. Gold discounts in India widened this week to their deepest point in nearly a decade as demand stayed subdued and some traders steered clear of paying import duties, while the escalating Middle East war boosted safe-haven demand in China.

Spot silver was down 1% at $82.91 per ounce. Spot platinum lost 1% to $2,111.45 and palladium fell 1% to $1,603.

Business

Iran War and Rising Fuel Costs Could Boost Panama Canal Traffic, Administrator Says

A cargo ship sails under Las Americas bridge through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP)
A cargo ship sails under Las Americas bridge through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP)
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Iran War and Rising Fuel Costs Could Boost Panama Canal Traffic, Administrator Says

A cargo ship sails under Las Americas bridge through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP)
A cargo ship sails under Las Americas bridge through the Panama Canal, in Panama City, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP)

Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel costs could ultimately benefit the interoceanic waterway as global shippers adjust routes.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Vásquez said that higher energy, fuel and navigation costs could make the Panama Canal a more attractive option for commercial traffic.

“When costs increase, in general when the price of marine fuel rises, the Panama Canal becomes a more attractive route,” Vásquez said.

Oil prices have risen amid the war in the Middle East, which has led to the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran in response to US and Israeli attacks. About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the waterway at the mouth of the Gulf.

If higher energy costs persist, routing cargo through Panama can cut voyages by between three and 15 days, depending on the route, while reducing fuel consumption, he said.

Vásquez said higher fuel costs are expected to affect container ships, bulk carriers and tankers transporting liquefied natural gas. If Middle Eastern supplies are disrupted, shipments may be replaced by other sources, including the United States, which could redirect some LNG cargo from Europe to Asia via Panama.

Gerardo Bósquez, an executive with the Panama Maritime Chamber, said a prolonged conflict could reshape global trade routes, with gas transport among the segments likely to benefit.

Vásquez cautioned that any changes will not be immediate and will depend on how long cargo operators expect the conflict and instability in the Gulf last.