RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to establish specialized courts to address investment disputes, enhance market confidence, and support its Vision 2030 strategy of becoming a global business hub. 

The initiative, revealed through a survey conducted by the Ministry of Investment and shared with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, is aimed at evaluating the need for such judicial bodies across key sectors, Al Arabiya reported. 

These courts are expected to bolster trust in the Kingdom’s legal framework, aligning with its broader legislative and judicial reforms designed to accelerate progress under Vision 2030 and the National Investment Strategy. 

The specialized courts are part of the strategy’s fourth pillar, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, which seeks to mobilize SR12 trillion ($3.19 trillion) in economic activity through transformative projects, improved infrastructure, and job creation. 

In August, Saudi Arabia announced a major overhaul of its investment laws, reaffirming its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment for global enterprises. 

Revised laws integrate existing commercial rights into a unified framework, prioritizing transparency and simplifying regulatory processes. They offer enhanced protections, including property and intellectual property rights, streamlined registrations, and the establishment of dedicated service centers to expedite government interactions. 

These updates build on previous measures such as the Civil Transactions Law, Private Sector Participation Law, Companies Law, Bankruptcy Law, and the introduction of Special Economic Zones. 

At the time, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih stated that the law underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to fostering a secure and investor-friendly environment, bolstering economic growth, and solidifying the Kingdom’s status as a leading global investment hub.  

He noted that Vision 2030’s policy framework offered investors the confidence and stability needed to thrive, particularly as other markets faced significant volatility. 

The law also seeks to create a competitive market by encouraging fair competition and guaranteeing equal opportunities for both domestic and international investors. 

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia launched its regional headquarters program, offering businesses incentives such as a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax and withholding tax on headquarters activities, along with access to discounts and support services. 

In October, Al-Falih confirmed the success of the initiative, announcing that the Kingdom had attracted 540 international companies to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh, surpassing its 2030 target of 500. 

RIYADH: The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ports Group has successfully refinanced and more than doubled its revolving credit facility from $1 billion to $2.13 billion. The move extends the facility’s maturity from 2026 to 2028, with an option for further extension until 2030.

This expansion is aimed at optimizing financing costs by improving interest margins and securing long-term liquidity. The facility, which is denominated in both Emirati dirhams and US dollars, has garnered significant interest from a diverse group of local, regional, European, Asian, and international banks. As a result, the facility was oversubscribed by more than 2.5 times.

The bank syndicate backing AD Ports Group has expanded from nine to 18 financial institutions, reflecting growing confidence in the company’s financial health and strategic direction.

“The overwhelming interest in our new RCF and the resulting oversubscription underscore the confidence that the banking community has in AD Ports Group’s robust financial health and strategic direction,” said Martin Aarup, chief financial officer of AD Ports Group.

“This refinancing initiative will optimize our financing costs, strengthen liquidity, and provide enhanced flexibility to support the company’s growth plans in the short and medium term. Additionally, the extended maturity of the facility will enable better financial planning.”

AD Ports Group holds strong investment-grade ratings of “AA-” with a stable outlook from Fitch, and A1 with a stable outlook from Moody’s.

In mid-December, AD Ports Group appointed Egypt’s Hassan Allam Construction, a subsidiary of Hassan Allam Holding, to develop the infrastructure for the Noatum Ports-Safaga Terminal in Egypt.

This terminal, located on the Red Sea coast, will be the first internationally operated port facility in Upper Egypt. Spanning approximately 810,000 sq. meters, the terminal will handle an annual capacity of 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of container cargo, 5 million tonnes of dry bulk and general cargo, and 1 million tonnes of liquid bulk.

The Safaga Terminal is a key part of AD Ports Group’s broader strategy to invest in major infrastructure projects that drive economic growth and strengthen its international market position.

In the same month, AD Ports Group also inaugurated the CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, a new $843 million (3.1 billion dirham) container terminal. The launch ceremony was led by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The terminal is operated by a joint venture between CMA CGM Group’s subsidiary CMA Terminals, which holds a 70 percent stake, and AD Ports Group, with a 30 percent share.

During the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was also signed to enhance maritime training in the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The CMA CGM Group will support cadet placements and training through the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy.