From London, Tadawul Makes First Step towards the World

CEO of Saudi Tadawul Mohammed Al-Rumaih speaking during the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of Saudi Tadawul Mohammed Al-Rumaih speaking during the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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From London, Tadawul Makes First Step towards the World

CEO of Saudi Tadawul Mohammed Al-Rumaih speaking during the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of Saudi Tadawul Mohammed Al-Rumaih speaking during the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) took its first step toward the world, starting from London, with the launching of the EFG Hermes Saudi Forum on Monday, under the theme, “Looking for Sustainable Growth.”

Participants, including investors, businessmen and stakeholders, gathered on Monday at the Rosewood Hotel in central London, to discuss the investment climate, the available opportunities, and the promising investment components that are unique to the Saudi economy.

The conference, which concludes on Tuesday, is organized by EFG Hermes, in cooperation with the Saudi Tadawul, in the presence of 375 guests, including representatives from more than 50 Saudi companies from various vital sectors, the Saudi Capital Market Authority, and the Public Investment Fund, in addition to 200 investors from more than 120 international financial institutions, and a group of the most prominent fund managers around the world.

Among the guests are the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Capital Market Authority, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Kuwaiz, the CEO of Saudi Tadawul, Mohammed Al-Rumaih, the CEO of EFG Holding Group, Karim Awad, the co-CEO of EFG Hermes, Mohammed Ebeid, and the CEO For EFG Hermes in Saudi Arabia, Saud Altassan.

Al-Kuwaiz and Al-Rumaih spoke in two successive sessions about the importance of the Saudi financial market and the developments it has achieved at all levels.

The speakers stressed that Saudi Arabia had one of the largest emerging markets in terms of market capitalization, as its market value exceeded $3 trillion in September 2023.

They added that the Saudi financial market has attracted increasing foreign inflows since its inclusion in the main global indices, such as the MSCI Emerging Markets Index during 2019, and the FTSE Russell Emerging Markets Index during 2018.

For his part, Ebeid explained that the conference serves as a platform to showcase investment opportunities in the Saudi market, which is supported by the diversity of economic sectors, as well as the transformation initiatives launched by the government within the framework of Vision 2030.

The conference offers a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and provide a direct link between companies listed on the Saudi market and investors in emerging markets, which reflects the major role that EFG Hermes plays in supporting economic growth in the Kingdom and developing the capital market, he added.



Saudi Arabia Records Significant Increase in Potato Production

Saudi Arabia Records Significant Increase in Potato Production
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Saudi Arabia Records Significant Increase in Potato Production

Saudi Arabia Records Significant Increase in Potato Production

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced a remarkable 47% increase in potato production in 2023, achieving a self-sufficiency rate of 86% with over 621,750 tons of potatoes produced compared to 423,770 tons in 2021.

This milestone was achieved after more than 17,000 hectares of land were cultivated with potatoes in 2023, up from 15,890 hectares in 2021. The potato production surge has positively impacted the manufacturing sector, stimulating investment and the use of advanced technologies.

According to the Ministry, overall vegetable production in 2023 reached 3.21 million tons, marking a 19% rise from 2020.

The significant improvement in agricultural productivity and its SAR109 billion contribution to the GDP are attributed to the Ministry's strategic initiatives focused on boosting self-sufficiency, attracting investments, and providing financial support, including increased financing rates for modern technology-based projects.

By prioritizing local production and reducing reliance on imports, the ministry aims to achieve the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 and diversifying the national economy.