RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s holdings in US treasuries reached $135.6 billion by the end of November, representing a marginal decline of 2.58 percent compared to October, official data showed. 

The Kingdom’s holdings in US treasuries stood at $139.2 billion in October, while it was $143.9 billion and $142.8 billion in September and August, respectively. 

Data released by the US Treasury Department revealed that Saudi Arabia maintained its 17th place among the largest holders of such financial instruments in November. 

The Kingdom and other nations are investing in these bonds for their safety, diversification benefits, and alignment with their economic relationships with the US.

The latest data also said that Saudi Arabia is the only country in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to secure a place among the top 20 holders of US Treasury securities. 

The Kingdom’s holdings in US treasuries increased by 5.85 percent in November compared to the same month in 2023, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasuries were distributed among long-term bonds worth $112.3 billion, representing 83 percent of the total.

Short-term bonds amounted to $23.2 billion, accounting for 17 percent. 

The report said Japan was the largest investor in US treasury bonds in November, with holdings totaling $1.09 trillion, representing a decline of 0.91 percent compared to October. 

Japan was followed by China and the UK, with portfolios valued at $768.6 billion and $765.6 billion, respectively. Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands were ranked fourth and fifth on the list, with treasury holdings amounting to $424.5 billion and $397 billion. 

Canada secured the sixth spot with holdings worth $374.4 billion, closely followed by Belgium with portfolios of $361.3 billion. 

Ireland came in eighth with treasury reserves worth $338.1 billion, followed by France and Switzerland, with assets amounting to $332.5 billion and $300.6 billion, respectively.

Taiwan was ranked 11th on the list, with treasury holdings worth $286.9 billion. 

Singapore came in the 12th spot with assets amounting to $257.7 billion, followed by Hong Kong and India, with holdings worth $255.7 billion and $234 billion. 

The UAE held US treasury holdings worth $73.13 billion by the end of November. Kuwait also maintained a steady presence in the US Treasury market, with its holdings standing at $51.2 billion.

RIYADH: Ports in the Gulf Cooperation Council have earned global recognition, with 10 container terminals ranking among the 70 most efficient worldwide in 2024, according to newly released data.

The rankings highlight the growing importance of the Gulf region in international shipping and logistics.

The ports were selected from a pool of 405 terminals globally, underscoring the region’s increasing role in global trade, the Emirates News Agency reported, citing data from the GCC Statistics Center.

In addition to port efficiency, countries in the region—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar—have been ranked among the top 35 nations for the size of their maritime fleets by tonnage and capacity, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s 2024 report.

The GCC Statistics Center noted that the Gulf’s commercial fleets now account for 54.2 percent of the total Arab shipping fleet, reinforcing the region’s status as a major player in global maritime trade. With more than 25 major seaports across its member states, the GCC’s maritime infrastructure is positioned for further growth.

On container productivity, two Gulf ports have secured rankings among the world’s top performers, handling more than 4 million containers annually. Another eight ports were classified as medium performers, with annual container throughput ranging between 500,000 and 4 million. These results reflect the region’s substantial investments in port infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

The GCC countries—Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar—are continuing to enhance port efficiency and productivity through strategic investments aimed at establishing the region as a critical global trade hub. These efforts include significant infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements, and policy initiatives designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the Gulf's maritime sectors.

In Saudi Arabia, the government’s Vision 2030 framework, under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, seeks to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. Key projects led by the Saudi Ports Authority include a SR640 million ($170.5 million) expansion of Jeddah Islamic Port’s berths to accommodate mega container ships with capacities of up to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units. Additionally, the government has allocated over SR7 billion to upgrade container terminals at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, enhancing both infrastructure and operational capacity to boost trade competitiveness.

Oman is capitalizing on its strategic location to strengthen its role in global maritime trade. The country is making substantial investments in port infrastructure, integrating advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and streamline logistics operations.

The UAE continues to lead the maritime sector, with Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port ranked as the world’s ninth-largest container port. The UAE is home to DP World, one of the largest port operators globally, managing 181 terminals across 64 countries.

In Qatar, port infrastructure development is central to the country’s broader economic diversification strategy. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced incentives, including reduced service fees, to attract foreign investment and enhance the business environment, with the goal of integrating Qatari ports more fully into global trade networks.

GCC-Stat emphasized the region’s commitment to sustainable port development, noting that the focus on sustainability has positioned Gulf ports as key players in global supply chains. The organization also highlighted the strategic importance of Gulf maritime operations in maintaining regional security and stability.

The GCC’s ongoing investments in port infrastructure and sustainable practices are expected to further solidify the region’s role as a critical node in global trade.