Saudi Holdings of US Treasury Bonds Rise to Highest Level since Beginning of 2022

The main Saudi stock index decreased by 257.36 points on Sunday, to close at 11,572.18 points, with trades amounting to 5 billion riyals. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The main Saudi stock index decreased by 257.36 points on Sunday, to close at 11,572.18 points, with trades amounting to 5 billion riyals. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Holdings of US Treasury Bonds Rise to Highest Level since Beginning of 2022

The main Saudi stock index decreased by 257.36 points on Sunday, to close at 11,572.18 points, with trades amounting to 5 billion riyals. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The main Saudi stock index decreased by 257.36 points on Sunday, to close at 11,572.18 points, with trades amounting to 5 billion riyals. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia increased its holdings of US Treasury bonds in July for the second month in a row, achieving the highest level since September 2021.

Monthly US Treasury data indicated that the Kingdom’s holdings of bonds increased by about $121.6 billion at the end of July, the highest level recorded in the last 10 months, when it reached $123.8 billion in September 2021.

Saudi Arabia ranked 16th globally in the list of the largest investors in US Treasury bonds by the end of July, while Japan topped the list with a total of $1.234 trillion, followed by China with investments worth $970 billion.

The Kingdom also topped the list of Arab countries with investments in US treasury bonds, followed by Kuwait with investments that reached $49.4 billion, ranking 26th globally, and then the UAE $41.3 billion, ranking 29th globally.

Meanwhile, the main Saudi stock index decreased by 257.36 points on Sunday, to close at 11,572.18 points, with trades amounting to 5 billion riyals ($1.3 billion), through the exchange of 137.86 million shares.

The Nomu-Parallel Market Capped Index (NomuC) closed the session lower by 338.22 points (1.62%) at 20,585.83 points.



Foreign Start-ups Double in Saudi Market

Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
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Foreign Start-ups Double in Saudi Market

Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference becomes top magnet for tech start-ups

The number of foreign start‑ups holding Saudi Arabia’s “Riyadi” entrepreneurship license has more than doubled to 550 by mid‑2025, up 118 % from the same period a year earlier, the Investment Ministry said.

The Riyadi permit lets overseas founders launch and scale technology and innovation‑focused companies in the kingdom. Officials say the surge reflects a government push to position Saudi Arabia as the Gulf’s start‑up hub by easing market entry and offering flexible regulation.

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) has meanwhile issued 364 licenses for business incubators and accelerators, helping international entrepreneurs develop prototypes, find mentors and connect with investors.

Flagship tech gatherings such as Biban and LEAP in Riyadh – along with Saudi delegations to global events including Web Summit, VivaTech and Slush – have burnished the kingdom’s credentials as a magnet for venture capital and talent, the ministry said.

The momentum comes as Riyadh chases the economic‑diversification goals of its Vision 2030 plan. The government is targeting $100 billion a year in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2030.

Overall investment licensing jumped 67.7 % last year. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia issued 4,615 licenses, up 59.9 % year on year.

Net FDI inflows moderated to 16.0 billion riyals ($4.27 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, 24 % lower than a year earlier but 37 % higher than the previous quarter’s 11.7 billion riyals ($3.12 billion), according to General Authority for Statistics data.

Saudi officials say the Riyadi license is integral to diversifying the economy, fostering innovation and embedding an entrepreneurial culture.