Azerbaijan Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Baku Plans to Waive Visa Requirements for Saudis

Baku is preparing to host the second edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijan Economic Forum in September (Reuters)
Baku is preparing to host the second edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijan Economic Forum in September (Reuters)
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Azerbaijan Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Baku Plans to Waive Visa Requirements for Saudis

Baku is preparing to host the second edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijan Economic Forum in September (Reuters)
Baku is preparing to host the second edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijan Economic Forum in September (Reuters)

The Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Chambers is scheduled to organize the second edition of the Gulf-Azerbaijan Economic Forum on September 25, under the theme “Sustainability, Investments, Partnerships,” in Baku.

The two-day forum aims to boost economic relations between the two sides in several promising economic sectors.

The event, supported by Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, is organized in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the GCC General Secretariat. The goal is to boost economic cooperation in several key sectors.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Shahin Abdullayev, mentioned efforts to improve land and rail transport links with Russia and Iran, noting that this could become a significant area of cooperation with the Gulf region. He believes the forum will help strengthen ties between Azerbaijan and the GCC.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abdullayev also highlighted the strong relationship between Azerbaijan and the Gulf countries, especially with Saudi Arabia.

He noted ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in areas like renewable energy, agriculture, food, and tourism.

The diplomat also revealed that the Azerbaijani government is also working on waiving visa requirements for Saudi citizens, as it has already done for Qatar and the UAE.

The ambassador pointed to the success of Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power as an example of fruitful investment in Azerbaijan and expressed optimism about future partnerships.

He expects increased air travel and tourism as visa processes become easier, which would benefit both economies.

President of the Federation of GCC Chambers Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas noted that the forum reflects the importance of enhancing and developing trade relations between the GCC countries and Azerbaijan and increasing the volume of trade exchange between the two sides.

He pointed out that the forum will showcase key investment opportunities and joint projects in several economic sectors, including food security and agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, and transportation, as well as sectors that support the growth of trade and investment between the two sides.

Al-Rawas added that the trade exchange volume between the GCC countries and Azerbaijan reached $1.8 billion in 2023, and Gulf investments in Azerbaijan amounted to approximately $7 billion.

He noted that Azerbaijan’s economic capabilities have led the federation to focus on holding such joint events.

Azerbaijan’s GDP is around $72.4 billion, with foreign trade exceeding $51 billion.



Saudi Arabia Raises $12 Billion in International Bonds Amid Strong Demand

Skyscrapers are seen in King Abdullah Financial District in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters).
Skyscrapers are seen in King Abdullah Financial District in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters).
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Saudi Arabia Raises $12 Billion in International Bonds Amid Strong Demand

Skyscrapers are seen in King Abdullah Financial District in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters).
Skyscrapers are seen in King Abdullah Financial District in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters).

Saudi Arabia has raised $12 billion from global debt markets in its first international bond issuance of the year, attracting bids worth nearly $37 billion. This demonstrates strong investor appetite for Saudi debt instruments.

The issuance comes just two days after the approval of the 2025 annual borrowing plan by Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan. The plan estimates financing needs for the fiscal year at SAR 139 billion ($37 billion). The funds will be used to cover the projected SAR 101 billion ($26.8 billion) budget deficit for 2025, as well as repay SAR 38 billion ($10 billion) in principal debt obligations due this year.

The National Debt Management Center (NDMC) announced on Tuesday that the issuance includes three tranches: $5 billion in three-year bonds, $3 billion in six-year bonds, and $4 billion in ten-year bonds. Total demand for the bonds reached $37 billion, exceeding the issuance size by three times and reflecting robust investor interest.

The NDMC emphasized that this issuance aligns with its strategy to broaden the investor base and efficiently meet Saudi Arabia’s financing needs in global debt markets.

According to IFR, a fixed-income news service, the initial price guidance for the three-year bonds was set at 120 basis points above US Treasury yields. The six-year and ten-year bonds were priced at 130 and 140 basis points above the same benchmark, respectively.

Strong demand allowed Saudi Arabia to lower yields on the shorter-term bonds, further demonstrating investor confidence. Economists noted that the pricing above US Treasuries is attractive in the current market, showcasing trust in Saudi Arabia’s economic stability and financial strategies.

International confidence

Economic experts view this successful bond issuance as a testament to international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s robust economy and financial reforms. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, an economics professor at King Faisal University, said the move underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to diversifying financing tools both domestically and internationally. He added that the funds would support Vision 2030 projects, reduce pressure on domestic resources, and attract strong international investor interest.

The issuance strengthens Saudi Arabia’s ability to meet financial needs, expand its investor base, and establish a global financing network, he said, noting that it also facilitates entry into new markets, enabling the Kingdom to accelerate infrastructure projects and capital expenditures.

Dr. Ihsan Buhulaiga, founder of Joatha Business Development Consultants, described the 2025 budget as expansionary, aimed at meeting the financing needs of economic diversification programs. He stressed that the budget deficit is an “optional” one, reflecting a deliberate choice to prioritize Vision 2030 initiatives over immediate fiscal balance.

Buhulaiga explained that the Kingdom’s approach balances two options: limiting spending to available revenues, which would avoid deficits but delay Vision 2030 initiatives, or borrowing strategically to fund Vision 2030 goals. He said that the annual budget is just a component of the larger vision, which requires sustained funding until 2030.

He continued that Saudi Arabia’s fiscal space and creditworthiness allow it to borrow internationally at competitive rates, explaining that this flexibility ensures financial sustainability without compromising stability, even during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saudi Arabia’s debt portfolio remains balanced, with two-thirds of its debt domestic and one-third external. As of Q3 2024, public debt stood at approximately SAR 1.2 trillion, below the 30% GDP ceiling. According to the Ministry of Finance, the budget deficit is expected to persist through 2027 but remain below 3% of GDP.

Buhulaiga highlighted the importance of capital expenditure, which reached SAR 186 billion in 2023 and is projected to rise to SAR 198 billion in 2024, a 6.5% increase.

He emphasized the government’s pivotal role in economic diversification, supported by investments from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the National Development Fund, and its subsidiaries, including the Infrastructure Fund.

The PIF recently announced a $7 billion Murabaha credit facility, facilitated by Citigroup, Goldman Sachs International, and JPMorgan. Meanwhile, the NDMC arranged a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility earlier in January, compliant with Islamic principles, to address budgetary needs.

In November, Moody’s upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to Aa3, aligning with Fitch’s A+ rating, both with a stable outlook. S&P Global assigns the Kingdom an AA-1 rating with a positive outlook, reflecting a high ability to meet financial obligations with low credit risk.

The IMF estimates Saudi Arabia’s public debt-to-GDP ratio at 26.2% in 2024, describing it as low and sustainable. This is projected to rise to 35% by 2029 as foreign borrowing continues to play a key role in financing deficits.