RIYADH: The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) launched in the UK on Tuesday a digital platform called Engage, which will promote technological and scientific solutions to accelerate progress toward the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Dr. Bandar Hajjjar, president of the IDB — one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks — announced the launch at an event hosted by Bloomberg’s European headquarters in London.
He made the announcement alongside Dr. Shamsad Akhtar — UN undersecretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) — Dr. Hayat Sindi, chief scientific adviser to the IDB, and business, innovation and development experts.
The IDB “understands the need to innovate and collaborate across all sectors to help build capacity within countries to address their own development requirements,” Hajjar said.
“Engage will provide the right tools and a supportive environment so innovators and businesses can harness the great potential of science, technology and innovation as strategic drivers for economic growth among their local communities,” he added.
“We are grateful to our partners at UNESCAP and the Shell Foundation for their support, and look forward to collaborating with many more companies, entrepreneurs, investors, governments, academics and NGOs as we focus on the importance of investing in science, technology and information.”
Sindi said: “Engage offers three main services: Matchmaking, technology transfer and calls for innovation.”
She added: “Through Engage, innovators, SMEs (small and medium enterprises), private sector companies, governments and NGOs will benefit from tailored mentoring services and expert knowledge sharing that will help activate their ideas and proposals to an internationally recognized standard.”
The platform will focus on six SDGs: Greater food security, healthier lives, inclusive and equitable education, sustainable management of water, access to affordable and clean energy, and sustainable industrialization across the developing world.
“Engage will power the policy shifts needed for science, technology and innovation to have a positive impact, not just on our economy but also on our society and the environment,” said Akhtar.
“The initiatives will also spur a new era of open and collaborative innovation to ensure no country is left behind in the technological revolution,” she added.
“The partnership agreement between the IDB and UNESCAP will bring together skills and sources of capital needed to support innovation solutions for sustainable development.”
To ensure members have access to financing for innovation, the IDB has established the new Transform Fund, which will finance innovative ideas linked to development solutions.
It will provide seed money for innovators, start-ups and SMEs, as well as fund partnerships between researchers and entrepreneurs that will tackle development challenges in line with the SDGs.
The launch event also saw the signing of two landmark memorandums of understanding by the IDB, said its spokesman Abdulhakim Elwaer.
The first, with UNESCAP, commits to building a global network of scientists, technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors, and to nurturing and scaling high-potential innovations to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
The second, with the Shell Foundation — an independent, UK-registered charity — commits to sharing market insights and investment opportunities to support enterprises that provide energy access and affordable transport for people in low-income areas.
IDB launches digital platform for sustainable development
IDB launches digital platform for sustainable development
China to issue $2bn bonds in Saudi Arabia amid deepening bilateral ties
RIYADH: China has announced plans to issue dollar-denominated bonds in Saudi Arabia starting the week of Nov. 11, marking its first debt issuance in US currency since 2021.
The Asian country’s Ministry of Finance disclosed on Nov. 5 that it will sell up to $2 billion in bonds in Riyadh.
This issuance comes as China and the Kingdom are strengthening a multifaceted alliance that extends across multiple spheres.
In recent years, both nations have sought to broaden their economic cooperation, aligning strategic initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.
“With the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Finance will issue US dollar sovereign bonds of no more than $2 billion in Saudi Arabia in the week of November 11, 2024. The specific issuance arrangements will be announced separately before the release,” the ministry’s statement read.
Strengthening Saudi-Chinese relations
In September, the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang co-chaired a pivotal meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Committee, where they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and addressed regional and international developments.
The session in Riyadh emphasized opportunities in energy, trade, and investment, as well as well as technology and security, while laying the groundwork for enhanced coordination across these sectors.
Expanding tourism and education links
Tourism has emerged as a significant focus in Saudi-Chinese relations. In October, Saudi officials, including the Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, engaged with Chinese counterparts to expand travel and investment ties.
The Kingdom received the designation of “Approved Destination Status” from Beijing earlier this year, following participation in key events in China.
To attract 5 million visitors from the Asian country by 2030, Saudi Arabia has introduced Chinese payment processing options, launched tailored tourism campaigns, and increased direct flights between the two countries.
Growing trade and investment
China has been Saudi Arabia’s largest trade partner since 2014, with bilateral trade reaching $97 billion in 2023. This figure includes $54 billion in Saudi exports and $43 billion in imports from China.
Investments between the two nations have also surged, with Chinese investments in the Kingdom rising from $1.5 billion in 2022 to $16.8 billion in 2023. Saudi investments in China are also substantial, totaling $75 billion.
Saudi Arabia and China are exploring new avenues for collaboration, including joint investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology, with a focus on sustainable development.
The crown prince’s 2019 visit to Beijing set a foundation for this strategic partnership, resulting in 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding that continue to shape bilateral cooperation.
Saudi Arabia awards 11 mining exploration permits under accelerated program
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has granted 11 mining exploration permits to local and international companies for six sites under its Accelerated Exploration Program, which aims to unlock the Kingdom’s underutilized mineral resources.
On Nov. 5, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the permits, covering a total area of 850 sq. kim across Riyadh, Makkah, and Asir, were awarded as part of a competitive licensing round designed to boost the country’s mineral sector. This initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Industry Development and Logistics Program.
The recent competition concluded with one national company and five alliances consisting of 10 local and international firms being awarded the exploration rights. The competition was designed to maximize the value of the country’s mineral resources and expand the mining industry as a key pillar of the economy.
Transforming the mining sector
Saudi Arabia is aiming to transform mining into the third pillar of its industrial base, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The Kingdom is home to more than 5,300 mineral sites, estimated to be worth around SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion), and the ministry is actively seeking to harness these resources to fuel economic growth.
Among the winners, the alliance of ANS Exploration and Odyssey Metal Ltd. was granted an exploration license for the Umm Qasr site in Riyadh, known for its deposits of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Gold and Minerals Co. secured a license for the Wadi Doush site in Asir, an area rich in gold, silver, and copper ore deposits, covering 157 square kilometers.
The alliance of AuKing Mining Ltd. and Barg Al-Saman Mining Co. received a license for the Shuaib Marqan site in Riyadh, spanning 92 square kilometers and noted for its copper, silver, and gold resources. Meanwhile, Metal Bank Ltd. and the Mining Holding Co. were awarded the Wadi Al-Jouna site in Asir, which covers 425 square kilometers and contains copper, zinc, silver, and gold.
Other awarded licenses include the Hazm Shubat site in Asir, granted to the Rawkad and Masharef alliance, which is known for its gold deposits. The Midad Al-Muna for Mining and Tinka Resources alliance was given the license for the Huwaimdhan exploration site in Makkah, which also holds significant gold resources.
Commitment to local development
A total of 44 bids were received from 22 companies — many of them new to the Saudi market—during the competition. Bids were evaluated based on technical expertise, proposed work programs, and social and environmental considerations. As part of their commitment, the winning companies have pledged to invest SR75 million ($20 million) in exploration activities and SR5 million toward community development, aiming to create jobs and opportunities for citizens in underserved areas.
This licensing round marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, with four companies receiving exploration licenses for the first time, further cementing the Kingdom’s appeal as a leading investment destination for mining.
Aligning with Vision 2030
The ministry highlighted that this initiative reflects investors' confidence in Saudi Arabia’s mining investment framework, which adheres to the highest standards of transparency and environmental responsibility. It also underscores the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy in line with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the mining sector as a key economic driver.
In a related development, the ministry recently announced another competition for seven mining exploration licenses, covering regions in Makkah and Riyadh and targeting a range of precious and base metals, including gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver. The deadline for submitting technical proposals for this new licensing round is at the end of November.
Private sector drives 6.1% rise in Saudi capital investment for Q2
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR296 billion ($79 billion) in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to recent data.
The Ministry of Investment attributed this growth primarily to the non-government sector, which holds an 86.45 percent share of total GFCF.
This sector saw an 8.2 percent increase, reaching SR255.9 billion, reflecting robust private-sector activity aligned with Vision 2030’s targets to boost private investment. Conversely, GFCF in the government sector declined by 5.2 percent to SR40.1 billion.
GFCF, which measures net investments in assets like infrastructure, machinery, and construction, is a key indicator of long-term economic potential, as it reflects capacity-building investments that drive productivity and growth.
Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a top investment destination continues to grow, with the Ministry of Investment issuing 3,810 licenses in the third quarter — a 73.7 percent annual rise, excluding permits from the Tasattur anti-concealment initiative.
This strong performance highlights the Kingdom’s successful positioning as a competitive market, driven by an increasingly stable and business-friendly environment, according to the report.
The ministry’s October report, which aligns its data with the latest IMF guidelines, showed that Saudi Arabia’s foreign direct investment stock reached SR897 billion in 2023, a 13.4 percent increase from 2022.
Excluding the one-time SR55 billion Aramco pipeline deal, the data showed that net inflows — representing the total new foreign capital coming into the country after accounting for outflows — also surged by 91 percent during this period, reaching SR86 billion.
As Saudi Arabia pushes toward its goal of making FDI 5.7 percent of its gross domestic product by 2030, this upswing in foreign capital not only strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global investment hub but also reinforces the ongoing expansion in GFCF, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
Saudi Arabia has been advancing a range of initiatives to attract and deepen foreign investment, positioning itself as a hub for international business in the Middle East.
One such measure, announced in 2021, requires foreign companies bidding for government contracts to establish regional headquarters within the Kingdom by 2024.
This mandate has already encouraged major firms to set up shops in Riyadh, underscoring the Saudi government’s commitment to drawing long-term investment.
The Public Investment Fund has also played a critical role in bolstering the investment landscape.
Recently, PIF signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to become an anchor investor in Brookfield Middle East Partners.
This private equity platform plans to raise $2 billion to invest in various high-growth sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and industrials. Additionally, at least half of BMEP’s capital will be allocated to Saudi-based companies, facilitating FDI inflows directly into the Kingdom.
Another major win came with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which recently secured approval to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh.
This move is set to expand BlackRock’s Middle East operations significantly, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’ appeal as an investment destination for global financial firms.
Energy sector drives GCC IPO gains in Q3, positive year-end outlook: PwC
RIYADH: Initial public offerings across the Gulf Cooperation Council region registered a year-on-year increase in proceeds in the third quarter of 2024 despite a decline in the number of listings, according to a new report.
The energy sector spearheaded this quarter’s growth, led by NMDC Energy’s listing, which raised $877 million — the largest IPO in the UAE this year, stated PwC Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s parallel market, Nomu, also contributed to the quarter’s performance with three listings.
PwC forecasts strong aftermarket performance for companies completing IPOs in 2024, predicting that most of the top 10 IPOs by deal size will trade above their initial offering prices.
This outlook suggests a favorable market reception for large IPOs in the coming year, with strong investor demand potentially driving post-IPO stock prices higher.
“As has been the case in recent years, Q3 has seen relatively few companies come to market. Since the end of the quarter, we have seen a number of IPOs either completed or announced across the GCC, including OQ Exploration and Production, Oman’s largest ever IPO, supporting the positive outlook for the remainder of 2024,” said Muhammad Hassan, capital markets leader at PwC Middle East.
In the third quarter, bond issuances in the GCC raised $4.4 billion, marking an almost 30 percent increase over the previous year.
Additionally, $5.2 billion was raised through sukuk issuances, with 88 percent of these bonds listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Dubai.
Governments in the region accounted for nearly 65 percent of total bond and sukuk issuances.
“Looking forward, the outlook for the GCC IPO market remains positive with a healthy IPO pipeline of companies from a diverse range of sectors busy preparing for their upcoming IPOs across the region,” the report stated.
According to another report by the Kuwait Financial Center, also known as Markaz, Saudi Arabia and the UAE led IPO activity in the GCC with $1.7 billion raised in the third quarter, a 6 percent increase from the year before.
The analysis highlighted that the UAE dominated the quarter’s activity, leading the region with $1.1 billion in IPO proceeds from a single listing, accounting for 69 percent of the total raised across the GCC.
Saudi Arabia followed with $512 million from its IPOs in the third quarter, contributing 31 percent to the regional total.
In the Kingdom, the food and beverage sector saw wheat milling company Arabian Mills for Food Products raise $271 million, accounting for 16 percent of the quarter’s proceeds.
Meanwhile, perfume maker Al Majed for Oud, a key player in the consumer cyclical sector, raised $188 million, contributing 11 percent.
The materials sector had a smaller presence, with ASG Plastic Factory Co. raising $8.8 million on Tadawul’s parallel Nomu market.
The commercial and professional services sector witnessed three IPOs, including First Avenue Real Estate Development Co., Altharwah Albashariyyah Co., and Al Ashghal Al Moysra Co., which collectively raised $44.4 million.
Saudi-Portuguese Business Council launches investment regulation initiative
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Portugal are aiming to increase awareness of investment regulations in both countries to boost trade thanks to a first-of-its-kind initiative.
Announced by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Ibrahim Al Howishel Law Firm to facilitate the entry of Portuguese companies into the Kingdom.
The MoU will also encourage regional companies to invest in Portugal by acting as a legal advisor. It will be the first of its kind among Saudi foreign business councils within the federation.
Its objective is to increase the number of international investors in the Kingdom by informing them about the positive developments, regulatory environment, and investment landscape.
Walid Al-Balhan, chairman of the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, emphasized that the recently signed MoU aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen international business ties.
He also said the advisor would address investor queries and provide guidance on regulations, building confidence among Portuguese companies looking to enter the Kingdom.
He extended his gratitude to the Federation of Saudi Chambers and relevant government bodies for their support of the council’s initiatives.
Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate with the Kingdom’s authorities to host workshops for Portuguese firms interested in the Saudi market.
These sessions are expected to cover key topics, including the Premium Residency system, foreign investment regulations, and company setup processes, as well as strategic investment opportunities and incentives for firms considering relocating their headquarters to Saudi Arabia.
The agreement also includes cooperative efforts to refine investment procedures for Saudi companies in Portugal, propose incentives for entities from the European country to attract investors within the Kingdom, and provide advisory support for companies in both nations.
The newly established Saudi-Portuguese Business Council aims to strengthen economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Portugal from 2024 to 2028.
Formed in August under the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and endorsed by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Foreign Trade, the council is led by President Al-Baltan, with Vice Presidents Tarfah bint Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and Turki bin Nasser Al-Khilaiwi.
The council aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to deepen ties with European countries, focusing on collaborative sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, technology, and renewable energy — all central to Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying the economy beyond oil.
Saudi exports to Portugal grew by 50 percent between 2021 and 2022, with trade volume reaching $1 billion in 2023. The council seeks to enhance investment opportunities and create a supportive environment for businesses from both nations to access each other’s markets.
This collaboration was formalized with a 2021 memorandum of understanding between the Saudi and Portuguese federations, marking a strategic step to capitalize on growth potential in each country.
