Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Official information revealed that a higher approval was issued for the Saudi Export-Import Bank (EXIM) to be linked organizationally with the National Development Fund, after the fund’s board of directors adopted the decision earlier this year.

Information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Council of Economic and Development Affairs reported that the Committee of Experts in the Saudi Council of Ministers studied the matter in coordination with representatives from both sides, and approved the bank’s organizational linking with the fund.

Last year, the Council of Ministers approved the association of the Saudi Export-Import Bank with the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, provided that the bank, within six months of assuming its duties, study the suitability of its connection with the National Development Fund, present the results of the study and complete the required measures accordingly.

EXIM Bank provides financial and other assistance to importers and exporters of the Kingdom and coordinates with other institutions that work in the import-export sector.

The bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment and export supporting services, increase the knowledge of export practice and develop the relevant human capital, increase the visibility of Saudi offerings in target markets and to potential buyers and facilitate business matching between exporters and potential buyers and partners.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef said that the Saudi Export-Import Bank was an important tributary that supports exporters and importers by providing credit solutions that contribute to accelerating and facilitating export operations in the private sector and overcoming the obstacles facing this important activity, with the aim of increasing the impact the economy of non-oil exports in the gross domestic product.



Saudi Finance Ministry, NDMC Appoint HSBC Primary Dealer for Local Debt Instruments

The agreement is part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) strategy
The agreement is part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) strategy
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Saudi Finance Ministry, NDMC Appoint HSBC Primary Dealer for Local Debt Instruments

The agreement is part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) strategy
The agreement is part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) strategy

The Saudi Ministry of Finance and the National Debt Management Center (NDMC) have signed an agreement with HSBC to appoint it as a primary dealer in the government's local debt instruments.

The institution will join the six other international institutions, namely, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Societe Generale, and Standard Chartered Bank, as well as the 10 local institutions, namely, the Saudi National Bank (SNB), the Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), Bank AlJazira, Alinma Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Albilad Capital, Aljazira Capital, Al Rajhi Capital, Derayah Financial Company, and Saudi Fransi Capital.

The agreement is part of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) strategy as a step toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening financial sector institutions and advancing the financial market.

It also confirms the role of the NDMC in enhancing access to local debt markets through diversifying the investor base to ensure sustainable access to the secondary market and to support its development; these efforts have resulted in recent dual inclusion in both the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) and the Bloomberg Emerging Markets Local Currency Government Index, which will contribute to increasing the presence of Saudi debt instruments within global investment portfolios, enhancing liquidity in the secondary market, and raising the international competitiveness of the local debt market.

The applications for subscription in the primary market for the government's local debt instruments are submitted to the NDMC through the appointed primary dealers on a scheduled monthly basis, and these dealers receive the applications submitted by investors.


Riyadh Airports Company Wins Four Global Awards at 2026 Stevie Awards

Riyadh Airports Company Wins Four Global Awards at 2026 Stevie Awards
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Riyadh Airports Company Wins Four Global Awards at 2026 Stevie Awards

Riyadh Airports Company Wins Four Global Awards at 2026 Stevie Awards

Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, achieved a new global accomplishment by winning four awards at the 2026 Stevie Awards, considered among the most prominent international awards honoring innovation and excellence across various business fields.

The awards annually attract thousands of entries from leading institutions and companies worldwide and are subject to precise evaluation standards by specialized international judging committees, reinforcing their position as one of the leading global awards in institutional excellence, SPA reported.

The company received awards across multiple categories, winning the gold award for Innovation in the Use of Social Media, in addition to two silver awards for Most Innovative Social Media Campaign and Most Innovative Use of Influencer Collaboration, alongside a bronze award for Innovation in Social Media Marketing.

This recognition reflects the level of progress achieved by Riyadh Airports Company in adopting the latest and best practices and developing distinguished initiatives based on innovation and integration in implementing communication and marketing campaigns, enhancing its institutional presence and reinforcing its position at both regional and international levels.


Oil Prices Drop awaiting Mideast Peace Progress

In an aerial view, a Valero refinery is seen on May 05, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi is facing a looming water crisis driven by rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and increasing demand from local oil refineries.   Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
In an aerial view, a Valero refinery is seen on May 05, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi is facing a looming water crisis driven by rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and increasing demand from local oil refineries. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
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Oil Prices Drop awaiting Mideast Peace Progress

In an aerial view, a Valero refinery is seen on May 05, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi is facing a looming water crisis driven by rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and increasing demand from local oil refineries.   Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
In an aerial view, a Valero refinery is seen on May 05, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi is facing a looming water crisis driven by rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and increasing demand from local oil refineries. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP

Oil prices fell and global stock markets traded mixed Thursday awaiting an update on a US plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Having plunged more than 10 percent at one point Wednesday on peace hopes, crude futures fell far less sharply Thursday, with losses of around two percent.

European stock markets declined after big gains the previous session, while leading Asian markets climbed.

Tokyo soared 5.6 percent, which largely reflected resumption of trading in Japan after the country's public holidays this week.

"The wild streak of enthusiasm which hit markets amid hopes for a major de-escalation in the Iran conflict is tempering," noted Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club.

"There's a realisation that there are more hurdles to climb for a longer-term resolution to be agreed, even though Iran is reported to be studying a US peace proposal aimed at formally ending the conflict."

US President Donald Trump said an agreement could be near after positive talks, with Iran adding that it would pass on its latest position to mediator Pakistan.

The war, launched by the United States and Israel in late February, has seen Iran respond with attacks across the Middle East and impose a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Gulf oil and gas industries and a strategic trade route.

In foreign exchange Thursday, the dollar lost some of its safe haven support.

Investors in Tokyo were closely watching the yen after speculation of intervention by the Japanese government to prop up the beleaguered currency.

Norway's central bank on Thursday hiked its guiding rate by a quarter point to 4.25 percent, citing a risk that the war in the Middle East could worsen already elevated inflation.

"Inflation is too high and has run above target for several years," Norges Bank governor Ida Wolden Bache said in a statement.

Away from the war, there has been a fresh wave of cash pumped into the technology sector as traders snap up all things artificial intelligence, helped by standout earnings from Apple, Google parent Alphabet, Microsoft and Samsung during the ongoing first-quarter reporting season.

Emirates Group on Thursday announced a three-percent rise in annual profits to $5.7 billion despite severe disruption to flights owing to the war.