Foreigners Pump $1.3Bn to Invest in Saudi Stock Market

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)
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Foreigners Pump $1.3Bn to Invest in Saudi Stock Market

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 18, 2016. (Reuters)

Foreign investors pumped more than USD1.3 billion as they sought to directly buy shares of Saudi firms listed in the local market, indicating the vitality of the Kingdom’s capital market.

The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) announced that the net foreign purchases through direct foreign investment reached SAR5.15 billion (USD1.37 billion).

Meanwhile, the Saudi stock index commenced the week’s trading on Sunday at around 9,000 points amid limited profit gaining operations.

SABIC 's share backed the positive coherence of the Saudi shares market on Sunday, closing at a remarkable stabilization at SAR117.80 (USD31.4) per share.

This follows the company’s announcement of obtaining all required regular approvals, including environment licenses, to establish a joint project for petrochemical industries with ExxonMobil off the Gulf coast of the United States. SABIC expects this project to have a positive impact on the unified financial lists.

Several finance houses and local and international investment firms are eyeing the volume of opportunities in the Saudi capital market, while the inclusion of the index to a number of global indices is expected to increase the interest of international investors.

The market value stabilized at SAR2.1 trillion (USD560 billion), while the recurring revenues of the market trading totaled around 20.1. These positive figures indicate the solidity of the Saudi stock market and the ability of the listed firms to achieve positive operational profits that support the attractiveness of the market trading.

In a related context, the Saudi stock exchange index of SMEs jumped around 1 percent on Sunday, in which the market index rose an estimate of 34 points. These updates coincide with 85 listed companies outcomes showing progress in their financial performance.



Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.