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Saudi Digital Government Authority Launches Regulatory Sandbox

Launching ceremony of the Saudi Digital Government Authority regulatory sandbox (SPA)
Launching ceremony of the Saudi Digital Government Authority regulatory sandbox (SPA)
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Saudi Digital Government Authority Launches Regulatory Sandbox

Launching ceremony of the Saudi Digital Government Authority regulatory sandbox (SPA)
Launching ceremony of the Saudi Digital Government Authority regulatory sandbox (SPA)

The Saudi Digital Government Authority (DGA) has launched the regulatory sandbox for government technology companies to enhance digital government services in the Kingdom.

The initiative aims to prepare the necessary regulations to improve the business environment, address the challenges facing companies and institutions in digital government services, and improve the beneficiary’s experience.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Riyadh on Monday, in the presence of DGA Governor Ahmed al-Suwayan and leaders of the digital government transformation in Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony included signing cooperation agreements and partnerships between DGA and several government technical companies to develop the regulatory strategy at several stages.

The first stage concluded a partnership with government companies, and the second phase launched the pilot regulatory sandbox, including studying receiving proposals, and evaluating and testing services.

The final phase will begin within 6 to 12 months with approving regulations and issuing licenses.

Suwayan explained that the initiative aims to find regulatory solutions for digital platforms and services to overcome several challenges such as regulating intellectual property rights, data sharing mechanisms, and lack of harmonization.

He pointed out that DGA’s endeavor to govern the regulatory sandbox in an integrated and systematic manner contributes to raising the efficiency and quality of digital platforms, harmonizing government procedures, and strengthening the partnership between the government and private sector.

Suwayan indicated that DGA aims to reach an attractive environment for investment in digital government services and create opportunities for innovation and creativity.

The authority also wants to empower the private sector as a partner in the development process of the digital government transformation and build distinguished national capabilities capable of achieving digital leadership in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

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Arab Financial Markets Improve Amid Trump Inauguration

A Saudi dealer monitors the stock market in Riyadh. (Reuters)
A Saudi dealer monitors the stock market in Riyadh. (Reuters)
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Arab Financial Markets Improve Amid Trump Inauguration

A Saudi dealer monitors the stock market in Riyadh. (Reuters)
A Saudi dealer monitors the stock market in Riyadh. (Reuters)

Arab financial markets reacted positively to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump for a new term on Monday, despite concerns from some nations about the tariffs he plans to impose. The tariffs are expected to affect global trade flows and pricing.

Trump’s swearing-in also coincided with the start of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Sunday, which is set to have a favorable impact on market sentiment.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has played a role in boosting economic stability across Arab markets. They anticipate significant improvements in market performance throughout the region, particularly in the Gulf, in the near future—raising optimism for robust economic growth.

Mohammed Al-Farraj, Senior Head of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, noted that global economic forecasts point to noticeable improvement following Trump’s inauguration.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Farraj attributed this optimism to several key factors, including heightened political stability, strengthened supply chains, and supportive monetary and fiscal policies introduced by the new US administration.

The gradual reduction of tariffs on US imports is expected to have a major impact on the labor market and inflation, fostering a more stable and growth-friendly economic environment for Arab markets, particularly those in the Gulf, he went on to say. The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) is poised to lead this growth.

Dr. Salem Baajajah, an economic expert and academic at King Abdulaziz University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump’s inauguration is likely to generate substantial gains for US markets due to his pro-growth policies. This, in turn, will positively influence global financial markets, especially in the Gulf.

Reduced geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—along with the Gaza truce and prisoner exchange agreements—have further strengthened economic stability across Arab markets, he added.

Meanwhile, most Arab and Gulf stock markets closed higher on Monday, achieving varying levels of gains.

The Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index (TASI) ended Monday’s session up by 0.40%, closing at 12,379 points—its highest level since May 8. The increase was driven by a 4.4% rise in Aqua Power shares, while Aramco, the heaviest-weighted stock on the index, remained flat at SAR 28.15.

The Qatari index climbed 0.40% to close at 10,508 points, supported by a 2.2% rise in Industries Qatar shares. Kuwait’s index rose by 0.53%, while the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange saw a modest increase of 0.08%.

Dubai’s main index, however, declined by 0.30%, impacted by a 2.9% drop in Salik shares. Similarly, Bahrain’s index fell slightly by 0.08%.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index slipped 0.37%, weighed down by a 0.9% decline in shares of Commercial International Bank. Morocco’s Casablanca Stock Exchange index dropped by 0.33%. Conversely, Oman’s Muscat Stock Exchange posted a slight gain of 0.03%.