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Saudi Insurance Market Braces for Acquisition, Mergers

Healthcare companies in the Saudi market achieved record revenues (SPA)
Healthcare companies in the Saudi market achieved record revenues (SPA)
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Saudi Insurance Market Braces for Acquisition, Mergers

Healthcare companies in the Saudi market achieved record revenues (SPA)
Healthcare companies in the Saudi market achieved record revenues (SPA)

Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of the Insurance Authority (IA), reflecting a significant step forward in building a strong, vital, and stable insurance sector in the Kingdom.

Health projects in the Kingdom are improving, as the sector expects 100 new projects in health services in partnership between the government and the private sector over the next five years, with an estimated capital investment opportunity at $13 billion.

Saudi Shura Council member Fadel al-Buainain believes the Insurance Authority would contribute to pushing and stimulating mergers and acquisitions between insurance companies.

Buainain said that the Authority is expected to enhance mergers and acquisitions in the sector to create strong entities capable of growing, meeting needs, and effectively contributing to the economy.

He explained that some companies in the sector suffer from weak solvency and accumulated losses, among other issues.

The private health sector witnessed significant growth and development because of the insurance sector, said Buainain, adding that the Authority is expected to contribute to the development of health insurance and boost insurance companies.

He explained that this would help the companies meet the needs of the health sector in the future with the privatization of the health sector, increasing the demand for insurance.

Meanwhile, a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Economic Association (SEA), Saad al-Thaqfan, confirmed that mergers and acquisitions in the insurance sector during the coming period would increase their shares.

He noted that two companies control approximately 50 percent of the market, while all companies share the other 50 percent.

Thaqfan pointed out that the Authority will positively impact the insurance sector by focusing on structuring, developing, and supervising it.

He asserted that these sectors would continue to grow, particularly with individuals entering the labor market.

During the past decade, the insurance sector could not establish insurance companies with high creditworthiness, except for a few major companies.

During January 2021, several companies were under mergers and acquisitions, such as Walaa Cooperative Insurance, MetLife, Gulf Union Insurance, and al-Ahlia Insurance.

In 2022, the insurance sector grew 27 percent, while the insurance sector index recorded a growth of 55 percent since the beginning of the current year 2023.

The insurance sector is worth over $14 billion, with a 2.09 percent share of gross domestic product.

- The health sector

Healthcare companies in the Saudi market achieved record revenues exceeding $4.5 billion during the past year, with a growth rate of 14.2 percent. Net profits amounted to more than $800,000,000 million, with a growth rate of 22.8 percent over the previous year.

The net profit margin of companies increased during the past year to 17.5 percent, compared to about 16.3 percent for the previous year.

The health and social development sector expenditures from the general budget during the first half of this year amounted to $34 billion, constituting about 21.2 percent of the budget expenditures for 2023 and 28.5 percent more than the corresponding period last year.

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Business

Japan, France Agree Rare Earths Deal to Cut China Reliance

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a welcoming ceremony at the Akasaka palace in Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 2026. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a welcoming ceremony at the Akasaka palace in Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 2026. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS
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Japan, France Agree Rare Earths Deal to Cut China Reliance

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a welcoming ceremony at the Akasaka palace in Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 2026. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a welcoming ceremony at the Akasaka palace in Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 2026. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS

Japan and France agreed to strengthen support for rare earths supply chains on Wednesday, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported, in the latest moves by both countries to lessen dependence on the world's dominant supplier, China.

During French President Emmanuel Macron's three-day visit to Japan for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, officials signed a roadmap to cooperate on critical minerals supply chains, NHK said.

"We cannot rely solely on specific countries, especially China," French Finance Minister Roland Lescure was quoted as saying by NHK.

The two sides also agreed to secure raw material supplies for a rare earths refining project in southern France, called Caremag, the broadcaster said.

The state-owned Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and gas ⁠firm Iwatani, along ⁠with the French government, are investors in Caremag, which is due to start operations in late 2026.

Japan plans to get about 20% of its future demand for dysprosium and terbium from the refining plant, heavy rare earth oxides used in magnets for EV motors, offshore wind turbines and electronic components.

Takaichi and Macron are due to issue a joint statement calling for diversifying supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals during their summit on Wednesday, the Nikkei newspaper reported separately.

The deal ⁠comes at a critical moment, with Japan and Western governments and manufacturers scrambling to secure supplies of rare earths minerals to reduce their dependency on China, the world's dominant rare earths producer and supplier.

In February, China prohibited exports of so-called dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities, which it said supply Japan's military.

That was after Takaichi angered Beijing with comments about Taiwan in November.

The rules cover seven rare earths and associated materials currently on China's dual-use control list, including dysprosium and yttrium, along with a swathe of other controlled critical minerals.

"China is pursuing a strategy of using rare earths as a diplomatic card, and if US-China and Japan–China relations improve, exports could recover quickly," said Kotaro Shimizu, principal analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

Japan has reduced its reliance on ⁠China to 60% ⁠from 90% following a 2010 diplomatic incident which saw Beijing restricting rare earths supply to Tokyo.

Japan has been boosting investments in overseas projects like trading house Sojitz's tie-up with Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, and promoting rare earths recycling and manufacturing processes.

In the latest set of steps, Japan's Mitsubishi Materials this week agreed to acquire a stake in US ReElement, a company involved in rare earth element recycling, as both countries have set up an action plan for China alternatives.

Japan and the US are also considering joint development of rare-earth-rich mud deposits, near the remote Minamitori Island, and Japan is in talks with India to jointly explore rare earths in the desert state of Rajasthan.

Japan and France will also seek cooperation in space, with companies from the two countries expected to sign memorandums of understanding on 12 joint projects, including space debris removal and rocket launches, the Nikkei said.

Business

South Korea and Indonesia Discuss Energy Security, Sign Agreements on Minerals and Tech

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) pose for a photo during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP)
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) pose for a photo during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP)
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South Korea and Indonesia Discuss Energy Security, Sign Agreements on Minerals and Tech

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) pose for a photo during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP)
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) pose for a photo during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP)

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks on Wednesday with Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto, discussing energy security and agreeing to expand cooperation in areas such as critical minerals and technology, Lee's office said.

The summit talks followed a welcome ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul.

Lee said energy security had become a growing concern amid the global uncertainty triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

"We view Indonesia's stable role in supplying key energy resources such as LNG and coal as very ⁠reassuring," Lee said ⁠in a statement, calling for closer cooperation on energy supply and resource security.

Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of thermal coal, while South Korea has been among the five biggest importers of the fuel in recent years, according to Korean government data.

South Korea also imported about 2.1 million tons of liquefied natural gas from Indonesia in 2025, data showed.

The Indonesian president arrived in Seoul from Japan where Jakarta agreed to ⁠step up coordination with Tokyo on energy security, Reuters reported.

Prabowo described South Korea and Indonesia as natural partners with "complementary roles,” pointing to South Korea's industrial and technological strengths and Indonesia's abundant resources and large market.

South Korea's exports to Indonesia stood at $7 billion in 2025, while imports were $11.3 billion, trade data showed.

Lee and Prabowo also oversaw the signing of multiple preliminary agreements, including support for projects in renewable energy and data centers as the countries elevate their relationship into a strategic partnership.

JOINT FIGHTER PROJECT

Prabowo, a former general, also said that strong defense capabilities were essential, saying peace and stability required "robust security and defense."

No deals were announced on defense cooperation, however, including on the two ⁠countries' joint project ⁠to develop South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet.

Korea Aerospace Industries last month said it was in talks with Indonesia on a potential sale of KF-21 fighter jets, but said no decisions had been made. Media reports said that Jakarta was considering purchasing an initial batch of 16 aircraft.

South Korea expects Indonesia to complete a payment related to the joint development program by the end of this year, an official told Reuters. The countries were expected to advance defense ties, as well as strengthen cooperation in new growth areas such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, shipbuilding, nuclear power, energy conversion, and cultural industries, the Blue House said in an earlier statement.

Lee is also set to award Prabowo South Korea's highest civilian honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, during the state visit, the presidential office said.

Business

Saudi Stocks End March Higher amid Geopolitical Tensions

Two investors monitor Saudi Aramco stock movements on the Saudi market. (Reuters)
Two investors monitor Saudi Aramco stock movements on the Saudi market. (Reuters)
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Saudi Stocks End March Higher amid Geopolitical Tensions

Two investors monitor Saudi Aramco stock movements on the Saudi market. (Reuters)
Two investors monitor Saudi Aramco stock movements on the Saudi market. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s stock market closed March on a strong note, advancing while most Gulf markets declined, underscoring its resilience in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions.

The benchmark Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) ended the final session of the month at a two-month high, trading above 11,200 points, supported by gains in Saudi Aramco and Al Rajhi Bank.

The index rose about 4.5 percent in March, recovering part of its 5.9 percent loss in February. On a quarterly basis, it gained roughly 6.7 percent, putting it on track for its strongest performance since the fourth quarter of 2023.

Economic adviser Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that the market’s strong performance reflects the broader resilience of the Saudi economy and its ability to absorb regional shocks.

He said the gains were driven in part by Saudi Aramco maintaining crude flows to global markets despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Aramco shares rose 9.6 percent in March, climbing from 25 riyals to 27.44 riyals by Tuesday’s close.

The company has resumed exports through Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline is operating at full capacity of 7 million barrels per day via the Red Sea port of Yanbu, according to a source cited by Bloomberg.

Al-Attas added that petrochemical stocks have rallied since the start of the war, supported by their connection to Aramco and stronger global demand driven by supply disruptions linked to the conflict with Iran.

All 12 petrochemical firms listed on TASI have gained since the outbreak of the war, led by Yanbu National Petrochemical Company (Yansab), whose shares have surged 46 percent.

Gulf markets under pressure

The war involving Iran weighed on most Gulf markets in March, with heightened uncertainty driving sharp volatility and broad-based declines.

Dubai index recorded the steepest losses, falling 16.44 percent, followed by Abu Dhabi, down 8.93 percent. Bahraini and Qatari index each declined 7.84 percent, while Kuwait slipped 1.82 percent.

In contrast, Muscat bucked the regional trend, posting gains of about 10.5 percent. The Saudi market also outperformed its regional peers, rising 5.05 percent.