Morocco’s Budget Deficit Reaches $3bn in August

 Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
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Morocco’s Budget Deficit Reaches $3bn in August

 Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)
Morocco recorded a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams by late August 2022. (Reuters)

Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday that the situation of the Moroccan Treasury's expenses and resources indicated a budget deficit of 30.4 billion dirhams ($3 billion) by August 31, against 43.3 billion dirhams ($4.3 billion) a year earlier.

Also, tax revenues showed a good overall performance, with an increase of 19.8%, recording a realization rate of 75.1% despite the increase in refunds, rebates and tax refunds, which have amounted to 9.4 billion dirhams.

The non-tax revenues amounted to nearly 23.4 billion dirhams.

Revenues from public institutions and companies reached 7.1 billion dirhams, including four billion dirhams paid by OCP Group, 2.2 billion dirhams by the National Agency of Land Conservation, Cadaster and Cartography (ANCFCC) and 505 million dirhams by Bank Al-Maghrib.

The other revenues amounted to 16.3 million dirhams, including 10.2 million dirhams from innovative financing.

Expenditure on goods and services also increased by 1.9 billion dirhams for “other goods and services” and 3.3 billion dirhams for personnel costs.

Interest on debt rose by 940 million dirhams to 23.4 million dirhams, reflecting an increase in interest on domestic debt (+1 million dirhams) and a slight decline in interest on foreign debt (-61 million dirhams).



Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

State Street Global Advisors, a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, announced that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested SAR 750 million ($200 million) in the newly launched SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Aggregate Bond ETF.

According to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, this fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It is listed in both the London Stock Exchange and Germany’s Xetra, offering investors the opportunity to track government and quasi-government bonds denominated in either the Saudi Riyal or the US Dollar, including sukuk (Islamic bonds).

This investment aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, representing a significant step toward enhancing the international presence of Saudi Arabia’s financial markets and attracting foreign investments. The fund is available to investors across several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy.

Commenting on the investment, Yazid Al-Humaid, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, said: “The fund continues to create opportunities and enable access to diverse capital markets in the Kingdom. Investing in the first internationally listed Saudi fixed-income ETF underscores PIF’s commitment to deepening Saudi capital markets, attracting investors, and fostering partnerships across global financial centers.”

CEO of State Street Global Advisors Yi-Hsin Hung emphasized that the launch of the fund is a significant milestone in providing innovative opportunities for investors while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.