Saudi Stock Exchange to Stimulate Sustainability for Family Businesses

Family companies are invited to take advantage of the Saudi financial markets for their sustainability, Asharq Al-Awsat
Family companies are invited to take advantage of the Saudi financial markets for their sustainability, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Stock Exchange to Stimulate Sustainability for Family Businesses

Family companies are invited to take advantage of the Saudi financial markets for their sustainability, Asharq Al-Awsat
Family companies are invited to take advantage of the Saudi financial markets for their sustainability, Asharq Al-Awsat

The Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia (CMA) and Tadawul are mobilizing to increase the momentum of stimulating the Saudi private sector towards the transformation into joint-stock companies and to benefit from the financial markets in the country, especially the parallel market, Nomu.

This is coupled with indicators of economic recovery in the aftermath of the coronavirus lockdown and its lifting.

The past few days have witnessed active mobility from the CMA and Tadawul to raise awareness in the private sector.

They set out to encourage small and medium-sized companies and invited entrepreneurs to take advantage of financial market financing.

They invited family companies to seize the opportunity of the financial market to gain sustainability through the Tadawul market and Nomu, especially with the incentives and procedural facilities that are being provided.

CMA Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz, in a meeting held a few days ago, said that family companies are invited to gain sustainability through the Saudi financial market which has recorded tangible progress that contributes in practical terms to adding an effective financing channel to develop businesses for companies.

El- Kuwaiz pointed out that 30% of family businesses avoid public offering due to a fear of losing control of the company.

But studies prove that more firmness and steadfastness are acquired after the offering in front of challenges. El- Kuwaiz pointed out that the dominant percentage of shares remains for the original owners.

He also underlined the relationship between disclosure and corporate governance, risk reduction related to family business management and the low cost of financing after listing, explaining that CMA regulations place clear considerations for the relationship between shareholders and founders of family businesses.



Iraq Raises September Basrah Medium Crude OSP to Asia

Workers walk across pipelines at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters)
Workers walk across pipelines at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters)
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Iraq Raises September Basrah Medium Crude OSP to Asia

Workers walk across pipelines at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters)
Workers walk across pipelines at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq (Reuters)

Iraq has raised the September official selling price (OSP) for Basra Medium crude oil to Asia to minus $4 a barrel against the average of Oman/Dubai quotes from the August OSP of minus $6.50 a barrel, state-owned Iraqi oil marketer SOMO said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Basrah Heavy to Asia was priced at minus $7.30 a barrel to Oman/Dubai quotes, from minus $8.80 a barrel set for August.

Type of North and South European Far East Crude American Market Market Market ($/bbl) Oil ($/bbl) ($/bbl) Basrah ASCI +5.10 Brent Average (Oman Medium (dated)-4.35 & Dubai)-4.00 Basrah ASCI +1.40 Brent Average


Turkish Central Bank Bought $5 billion in Foreign Exchange Last Week, Bankers Say

Central Bank of Türkiye - File Photo/Reuters
Central Bank of Türkiye - File Photo/Reuters
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Turkish Central Bank Bought $5 billion in Foreign Exchange Last Week, Bankers Say

Central Bank of Türkiye - File Photo/Reuters
Central Bank of Türkiye - File Photo/Reuters

The Turkish central bank bought $5 billion in foreign exchange last week, with its net reserves increasing $9 billion to $63 billion, bankers said on Monday, Reuters reported.

According to the calculations of four bankers, the central bank's total reserves increased $14 billion last week to $178 billion, while net reserves excluding swaps increased $9.5 billion to $50 billion. The central bank did not comment on the figures.

 

 

 


July US Container Imports Hit Fourth-highest on Record, Descartes Says

FILE PHOTO: Workers move shipping containers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in, Newark, New Jersey, US, September 30, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Workers move shipping containers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in, Newark, New Jersey, US, September 30, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo
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July US Container Imports Hit Fourth-highest on Record, Descartes Says

FILE PHOTO: Workers move shipping containers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in, Newark, New Jersey, US, September 30, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Workers move shipping containers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in, Newark, New Jersey, US, September 30, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo

US imports of containerized goods in July hit the fourth-highest level for the month, as shippers rushed in goods ahead of unknown US tariff changes, supply chain technology provider Descartes Systems Group said on Monday.

US seaports handled 2.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, down 4.3% from the near-record result in July 2025. Through the first seven months of 2026, imports were down 0.9% year over year while remaining ⁠well above pre-COVID pandemic ⁠levels, Descartes said.

In late July, 10% global Section 122 tariffs expired and were replaced by new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries tied to allegations of forced labor.

Chinese-origin imports rose to 873,129 TEUs ⁠in July, the highest monthly volume in a year.

China sends more goods via container to the US than any other country, even after President Donald Trump has targeted such products with tariffs.

Retailers like Walmart, Amazon.com and Home Depot account for roughly half of all US container imports, Reuters reported.

The traditional peak shipping season tied to their imports of goods for autumn and winter holiday promotions ⁠has ⁠been arriving earlier and over a longer period of time as shippers have responded to a string of supply-chain upheavals ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing US and Israeli war on Iran to rapidly changing US tariff policies.

"The broader trade environment remains unsettled. Elevated Strait of Hormuz risk, changing US tariff measures, tighter Panama Canal draft restrictions, and continued Red Sea disruption are influencing freight costs, routing decisions, and sourcing strategies," Descartes said.