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Saudi Capital Market to End ‘Qualified Foreign Investor’ Restrictions

The headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
The headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
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Saudi Capital Market to End ‘Qualified Foreign Investor’ Restrictions

The headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
The headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat). 

Saudi Arabia is preparing to take a major step toward liberalizing its stock market, with regulators proposing to scrap long-standing restrictions that limit foreign participation.

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced it is seeking feedback on a draft plan that would allow all categories of non-resident foreign investors to directly buy and trade shares in the Kingdom’s main market.

If approved, the plan would abolish the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) system, a framework that has governed access for overseas investors since the market first opened a decade ago. By eliminating eligibility requirements and complex registration procedures, the change is expected to expand the investor base and attract greater inflows of global capital.

The CMA said the consultation period on the proposed amendments will run for 30 days, ending on October 31, 2025.

Under the new rules, the swap agreements once used as a workaround for non-resident foreigners - giving them only economic benefits of Saudi equities without direct ownership - would also be phased out. Instead, foreign investors would be able to hold shares outright, bringing the Kingdom closer in line with global market practices.

The CMA described the initiative as part of its “gradual approach” to opening the market, building on earlier reforms and paving the way for future liberalization. In July 2025, it had already eased procedures for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents, allowing them easier access to Saudi equities.

Regulators say the latest move is designed to enhance the Kingdom’s role as a global financial hub and to deepen liquidity in the region’s largest stock exchange. According to CMA, the step aims to consolidate the market’s position as an international platform capable of attracting stronger foreign capital flows.

The expected impact is significant. Foreign investment in Saudi equities has grown rapidly in recent years, reaching SAR 412 billion ($109.9 billion) by the end of the second quarter of 2025, an increase of 471 percent compared with the end of 2015, according to CMA data.

 

 

 

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Business

Saudi CEDA Reviews Vision 2030 Progress

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
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Saudi CEDA Reviews Vision 2030 Progress

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) held a virtual meeting to consider a package of strategic reports outlining the Kingdom’s economic and development trajectory.

The council issued the 2025 annual report on Saudi Vision 2030, showing clear progress across its three pillars — a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation — while underscoring the resilience of the national economy, supported by prudent fiscal policies and solid logistics infrastructure.

The report highlighted qualitative advances during the Vision’s second phase, reflecting its flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions in line with its third phase. It emphasized efforts to build on gains achieved in the first two phases and accelerate implementation by sharpening priorities and advancing national programs and strategies.

Resilience amid global developments

CEDA also discussed the monthly report from the Ministry of Economy and Planning, which covered global economic developments and growth prospects in light of current regional events and their repercussions for both major and emerging economies.

The report examined the impact of geopolitical tensions on Gulf economies and supply chains, as well as their potential implications for Saudi Arabia’s economic and financial outlook. It pointed to the Kingdom’s “exceptional resilience,” supported by strong economic and fiscal policies and robust logistics infrastructure.

Public sector performance

The council reviewed a presentation by the National Center for Performance Measurement of Public Agencies (Adaa) on its 2025 annual performance report. The findings showed continued positive performance by government entities in meeting targets, reflecting stable delivery and efficient execution.

The report also outlined the center’s work in strengthening the measurement of national strategies and reviewing strategic documents to ensure that indicators and initiatives fully cover all objectives. It included results from the latest evaluation cycle of performance management practices across public entities.

CEDA also discussed a presentation by the National Center for Privatization (NCP), highlighting key results for the second half of 2025, including the performance of supervisory committees and progress on major projects. The presentation showed improved overall performance and an increase in the number of privatization projects during the period.

Grand Mosque services and infrastructure

The council discussed a presentation by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites on projects in the central area of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The briefing addressed the use of advanced technologies to monitor and manage waste, measures to facilitate the movement of vehicles and goods into the central area, and steps to enhance safety procedures and intensify oversight of expansion projects to ensure the safety of worshippers.

It also outlined a three-year plan covering systems related to health, safety, security and the environment.

Governance and policy updates

Moreover, CEDA saw a report on the updated national framework for governance, risk, compliance and internal audit functions, including its pilot application across selected government entities, proposals for broader implementation and mechanisms to measure compliance.

The council also considered a number of procedural matters, including a draft national intellectual property policy.

It was briefed on the semiannual report of the ministerial committee on social support and subsidies, as well as updates from the committee on improving the balance of payments and advancing economic diversification.

Further briefings included a monthly report on progress in implementing the executive plan to host regional headquarters of international organizations, a quarterly report from the standing committee for price monitoring, and summaries of the latest consumer price index and wholesale price index reports, along with the underlying data.

Business

1st SKorean Tanker Transits Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu in Alternative Red Sea Route

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
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1st SKorean Tanker Transits Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu in Alternative Red Sea Route

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP

A South Korean oil tanker has transited the Red Sea for the first time since the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's oceans ministry said on Friday.

Import-dependent South Korea has taken steps to mitigate the risks to its energy supplies since US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to shut off access to the strait, now under a US blockade.

Seoul has sought new sources of oil and said this month that it would send five Korean-flagged ships to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port of Yanbu to establish alternative routes.

The ministry announced on Friday the "first case of crude oil being transported into the country via the Red Sea, a detour, since the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz".

President Lee Jae Myung called it "a valuable achievement made by the relevant ministries moving as one team".

"I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who worked hard day and night despite difficult conditions, especially the sailors," he said on X.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, said on Wednesday that South Korea had secured supplies of more than 270 million barrels of crude oil via routes unaffected by Hormuz crisis through the end of the year.

The figure is equivalent to more than three months of South Korea's oil needs based on last year's figures, Kang said.

The official recently returned from a trip to Kazakhstan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in a bid to secure alternative fuel sources.

Business

Gold Holds Steady, Eyes Fourth Weekly Gain on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes

Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
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Gold Holds Steady, Eyes Fourth Weekly Gain on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes

Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)

Gold held largely steady on Friday and was on track for a fourth straight weekly gain, as hopes for a US-Iran peace deal eased fears of higher inflation and elevated interest rates.

Spot gold eased 0.1% to $4,784.72 per ounce by 0646 GMT, but was up about 1% so far this week. US gold futures for June fell 0.1% to $4,805.20.

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and ‌Israel went ‌into effect on Thursday and US President Donald ‌Trump ⁠said the next meeting between ⁠the United States and Iran may take place over the weekend.

"Investors are now watching closely for concrete progress in US-Iran negotiations. Any progress or extension of the current fragile ceasefire could further calm oil markets and inflation fears, potentially unlocking more upside for gold," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

The US dollar was headed ⁠for a second weekly drop, making greenback-denominated commodities ‌more affordable for holders of other currencies, Reuters said.

Oil ‌prices fell, easing fears of higher inflation on optimism that the Iran ‌war could be nearing an end.

Concerns that higher energy prices ‌could stoke inflation and keep global interest rates higher for longer have driven down gold prices by more than 8% since the Iran war began in late February.

While gold is considered an inflation hedge, higher interest rates crimp ‌demand for the non-yielding asset.

Traders now see a 27% chance of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve interest ⁠rate cut in ⁠December. Before the war, there were expectations of two reductions for this year.

Meanwhile, Indian banks have halted gold and silver import orders from overseas suppliers, with tons of the metals stuck at customs as a formal government order has not been issued authorizing bullion imports.

Gold demand in India was modest this week, as high domestic prices weighed on retail purchases ahead of the key Akshaya Tritiya festival weekend, while premiums in China held steady.

Spot silver rose 0.3% to $78.61 per ounce, and was headed for a fourth straight weekly gain.

Platinum fell 0.3% to $2,079.24 and palladium was down 0.5% at $1,542.50. Both the metals were on track for a third straight weekly gain.