Saudi Arabia: Kafalah Joins Simah to Build Comprehensive Credit Report

Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani and Hamam Hashem, director general of the Kafalah Program, sign the deal. (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani and Hamam Hashem, director general of the Kafalah Program, sign the deal. (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
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Saudi Arabia: Kafalah Joins Simah to Build Comprehensive Credit Report

Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani and Hamam Hashem, director general of the Kafalah Program, sign the deal. (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani and Hamam Hashem, director general of the Kafalah Program, sign the deal. (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

Saudi Arabia’s Kafalah Program (SME Financing Guarantee Program) for small and medium-sized enterprises will join Simah Saudi Credit Bureau.

The announcement was made through an information exchange agreement, which was signed by Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani and Hamam Hashem, director general of the Kafalah Program.

This strategic partnership goes in tandem with Saudi Vision 2030 through its inspirational role in creating job opportunities, supporting innovation and reinforcing exports given that SMEs are among the main contributors in economic development around the world.

Simah Saudi Credit Bureau CEO Swaied Alzahrani expressed delight that Kafalah joined Simah.

Simah’s plans, he said, will cover all relevant sectors whether economic, investment, industrial, judiciary and logistics in the private and public sectors. It also seeks to provide all services and products that contribute in building an environment that attracts investments.

Director General of the Kafalah Program, Hamam Hashem stressed that the membership agreement signed with Simah allows Kafalah to benefit from the credit information in the business sector.

It will also become informed on credit attitudes of all beneficiaries from Kafalah, which will help assess financial adequacy and build an accurate credit report.

He added that Kafalah is one of the pioneering national specialized programs and it has made several achievements since its establishment at the of 2006.



Escalating Hormuz Tensions Drive Up Middle East War Risk Insurance Costs

A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER
A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER
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Escalating Hormuz Tensions Drive Up Middle East War Risk Insurance Costs

A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER
A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23 June 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER

War risk insurance premiums for shipments to the Middle East Gulf have jumped to 0.5% from around 0.2-0.3% a week ago after US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and growing risks to the critical Strait of Hormuz, insurance sources said on Monday.

The cost of a seven-day voyage is based on the value of the ship and the increase will add tens of thousands of dollars each day in additional costs.

While underwriters typically price risk and rates individually, the current 0.5% level reflected rates on Monday, the sources told Reuters and The Insurer, which is part of the Thomson Reuters group.