BEIJING: China’s economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic is stalling as President Xi Jinping’s government cracks down on surging corporate debt.
For a decade, the ruling Communist Party has talked about shifting to economy based on spending by 1.4 billion consumers instead of on building factories and apartments. But with each slowdown, Beijing fell back on pepping up growth with more construction and borrowing.
Finally, Xi’s government is confronting the problem by clamping down on borrowing by a real estate industry that supports millions of jobs.
That is sending shockwaves through the economy. Businesses and households are jittery as housing sales and construction slump. That is chilling auto and retail sales. It has possible global repercussions as China buys less steel and other building materials.
“Many customers would like to wait and see,” said Liang Qiming, a salesman for online real estate broker 5i5j.com in Nanchang, a southern provincial capital that was turned into a boomtown by a flurry of construction over the past two decades.
China became the world’s factory, but the bigger power driving its economic boom was a construction frenzy that took off in the late 1990s. Developers and local governments poured borrowed money into blanketing the country with new apartments, office towers, shopping malls, bridges and railways.
Xi’s government appears to be willing to accept a politically painful slowdown to get that debt under control and achieve the longer-term goal of self-sustaining, safer growth.
Beijing “doesn’t want growth at all costs, followed by the likely or inevitable financial market crash, which is very much the sort of European-U.S. model,” said Robert Carnell, head of Asia research for ING.
Financial markets are on edge about whether one of the biggest developers, Evergrande Group, might be allowed to collapse under 2 trillion yuan ($310 billion) in debt as a warning to others.
Beijing wants to make sure families receive apartments sold to them by Evergrande before they were built, as is common in China, economists say. But they say it is trying to avoid sending the wrong message by bailing out the company.
Evergrande is a “pre-emptive cleanup,” Carnell said.
China revived from the coronavirus pandemic earlier than the United States, Europe or Japan, but but that rebound quickly flattened out.
Depressed by the building slump, the economy expanded just 4.9% over a year earlier in the three months ending in September much weaker than the previous quarter’s 7.9% growth. Compared with the previous quarter — the way other major economies are measured — growth in the three months ending in September fell to 0.2%, among the weakest of the past decade.
Housing sales fell 32% in September from a year earlier. Buyers were put off by curbs on mortgage lending and anxiety about whether developers might fail to deliver apartments paid for in advance. That means less spending on furniture and appliances.
With no sign Beijing will ease up, forecasters expect the economy to weaken further, since consumers who are reluctant to spend won't fill the gap left by lower investment.
This quarter's growth might fall as low as 3% over a year ago, according to Nomura. Bank of America cut its full-year forecast from 8% to 7.7%, which still would be among the world’s strongest. It slashed next year’s outlook from 5.3% to just 4%.
The total owed by companies, households and the government rose to almost the equivalent of three times annual economic output last year from 270% in 2018 — high for a middle-income country.
Xi affirmed his priorities at an August planning meeting, calling for “high-quality development” and “forestalling major financial risks,” according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
“China is in the middle of a transformation from growth driven by blind investments to high-quality growth,” said Zuo Xiaolei, an economist in Beijing.
Regulators tightened control over use of debt by real estate developers last year. Hundreds already had gone bankrupt following other restrictions imposed since 2017.
Tightening control, Beijing on Oct. 15 declared 19 of China's biggest banks that account for three-quarters of their industry's assets to be “domestic systemically important banks" that will face closer government scrutiny and lending controls.
A midsize developer, Modern Land (China) Co., announced it failed to pay off on a $250 million bond due Oct. 25. Earlier, another developer, Fantasia Holdings Group, missed a $205.7 million payment to bondholders due Oct 5.
Evergrande has caused more anxiety due to its vast debt, which includes $18 billion owed to foreign bondholders.
It failed to make a bond payment due Sept. 23. An official newspaper said the company avoided being declared in default by wiring $83.5 million for the payment on Oct. 22, one day before the end of a 30-day grace period.
“The risk of a sharper slowdown in real estate activity can’t be ruled out,” Tommy Wu of Oxford Economics said in a report.
Meanwhile, the economy also faces headwinds from power rationing imposed in major manufacturing areas to meet official efficiency goals. Automakers and other factories have been disrupted by shortages of processor chips.
Auto sales plunged 16.5% in September from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
Buyers are uneasy about the pandemic and economic outlook, said Chu Xianwu, who sells Jeeps at Shandong Xinju Auto trading Co. in the eastern city of Jinan. He said sales there were down 20% from six months ago.
“I really hope the situation will improve in the near future,” Chu said.
China's economy slows as Beijing wrestles with debt
https://arab.news/w4she
China's economy slows as Beijing wrestles with debt
- Finally, Xi’s government is confronting the problem by clamping down on borrowing by a real estate industry that supports millions of jobs
Qatar’s Islamic finance sector grows to $187bn, report shows
- Islamic banking assets grew by 3.9% to 585.5 billion riyals
- Deposits rose by 8.2% to 339.1 billion riyals, with private sector deposits accounting for 57%
RIYADH: Qatar’s Islamic finance sector continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with total assets rising 4.1 percent year on year to 683 billion Qatari riyals ($187.5 billion), a new analysis showed.
According to a report from Qatar-based Bait Al Mashura Finance Consultations, Islamic banks held the largest share, with 87.4 percent of total Islamic finance assets.
This was followed by Shariah-compliant sukuk at 11.2 percent, takaful insurance at 0.7 percent, and the rest split between investment funds and other Islamic finance institutions.
Qatar’s performance comes as the global Islamic finance industry entered 2025 on a solid footing, with 10.6 percent growth in 2024, driven by strong banking assets and a 29 percent growth in foreign currency sukuk issuances, according to S&P Global Ratings.
While key markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Malaysia continue to dominate — with the Kingdom alone accounting for two-thirds of Gulf Cooperation Council Islamic banking growth — the outlook remains cautious amid potential headwinds, including oil price volatility and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Khalid Al-Sulaiti, vice chairman of Bait Al Mashura’s board of directors, said: “In the past year, the Islamic finance sector experienced significant transformations and qualitative advancements in performance, expansion, and supporting technologies.”
He underscored the need to analyze data and trends to provide a comprehensive and accurate outlook for the future — balancing Shariah compliance, developmental goals, and economic and social sustainability.
The report showed that Qatar’s Islamic banking assets grew by 3.9 percent to 585.5 billion riyals, while deposits surged by 8.2 percent to 339.1 billion riyals, with private sector deposits accounting for 57 percent.
Financing increased by 4.9 percent to 401.5 billion riyals, primarily directed toward real estate, government, and personal financing. Revenues rose by 12.6 percent to 29.5 billion riyals, with profits reaching 8.7 billion riyals, marking a 6 percent growth.
In the takaful sector, assets grew by 7.1 percent to 5.1 billion riyals, while policyholders’ funds increased by 6.3 percent to 2.6 billion riyals. Insurance subscriptions rose by 18.6 percent, exceeding 1.9 billion riyals, though results varied between surplus and deficit.
Islamic finance companies saw marginal growth of 0.8 percent in assets, reaching 2.53 billion riyals, while financing rose by 5.7 percent to 1.9 billion riyals. Revenues jumped 14.7 percent to 277.2 million riyals, with financing and investment activities contributing 84 percent.
Performance varied, with aggregate profits surpassing 178.5 million riyals against losses of 12 million riyals.
Islamic investment firms recorded a 5.2 percent increase in assets to 549.5 million riyals, with revenues surging 44.1 percent to 59.7 million riyals. Profits reached 17.5 million riyals, though some firms reported losses.
The sukuk market expanded significantly, with issuances rising by 161 percent. Islamic banks issued 9.5 billion riyals in sukuk, up 300 percent, while the Qatar Central Bank issued 16.9 billion riyals.
Shariah-compliant investment funds grew by 1 percent to 944.6 million riyals, though performance was mixed. On the Qatar Stock Exchange, the Al Rayan Islamic Index closing price increased by 2.23 percent. The share performance of listed Islamic finance companies was mixed, with increases reaching up to 2.3 percent and decreases as much as 19.6 percent.
Qatar’s Shariah-compliant finance industry now represents 27 percent of the country’s overall financial system, placing it among the top Islamic finance hubs globally alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to the Qatar Financial Center.
The country is home to two of the region’s largest Islamic banks — Qatar Islamic Bank and Masraf Al Rayan — ranked among the top 10 globally by asset size.
Earlier this year, Fitch Ratings affirmed strong credit profiles for Qatari Islamic banks due to high oil prices, solid profitability, and stable funding structures. The sector’s growth is further bolstered by active sukuk issuances and strong retail deposit bases.
While the industry faces challenges, including potential fragmentation from regulatory shifts and macroeconomic risks, its long-term outlook remains positive, supported by economic diversification efforts and increasing demand for Shariah-compliant financial products.
AWPT’s vision for sustainable water leadership: growth, green goals, and global expansion
TASHKENT: As the Middle East embraces transformation under the banner of sustainability and economic diversification, water security stands as one of the most critical obstacles and opportunities of our time.
At the helm of addressing this challenge in Saudi Arabia is Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies, also known as AWPT. This company has not only solidified its market leadership but is now actively expanding its international footprint.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Rami Moussilli — CEO of AWPT since 2014 — shared key insights into the company’s strong performance in 2024, its alignment with Vision 2030, and its ambitions beyond Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the Tashkent International Investment Forum, Moussilli told Arab News that AWPT is supporting Uzbekistan’s Sustainable Development Vision.
Uzbekistan is a key international focus for AWPT as the country undergoes significant transformation through infrastructure modernization and sustainable development.
Moussilli noted that AWPT has held high-level discussions with multiple ministries, which culminated in a meeting with the president of Uzbekistan.
“There is strong alignment between our core strengths and Uzbekistan’s national development priorities,” said Moussilli.
As Uzbekistan ramps up investment in urban expansion and essential services, AWPT is offering support across the entire water infrastructure lifecycle— from system rehabilitation and advanced wastewater treatment to non-revenue water reduction and energy-efficient technologies.
AWPT’s approach in Uzbekistan is built on three foundational pillars: strengthening public-private partnership frameworks, delivering engineering excellence, and promoting environmental and economic sustainability
With a focus on knowledge transfer and local capacity building, AWPT is not just exporting services; it is building lasting partnerships.
A model for the future of water
AWPT sets itself apart from others in the sector with its integrated delivery model.
By operating across all stages of the water asset lifecycle — from design and construction to operation and rehabilitation — AWPT achieves efficiencies that traditional players often miss.
This holistic approach allows the company to offer clients and investors a unique value proposition: resilient profitability and proven risk management.
AWPT closed 2024 with what Moussilli described as “a year of exceptional performance and strategic progress.”
The financial numbers support this assertion. Net income surged by an impressive 64 percent over the previous year, while revenues rose by 16 percent, underscoring both strong demand and operational excellence.
Profit margins also improved significantly, growing from 8.2 percent to 12 percent, and earnings per share followed suit with over 64 percent growth.
The company’s shareholder equity expanded by 44 percent, further bolstered by a return on equity of 38 percent and a return on assets of 35 percent, clear indicators of efficient capital and resource management. Notably, AWPT ended the year with a 300 percent increase in free cash flow, a critical marker of financial health in a capital-intensive sector.
Powering Vision 2030 through water privatization
At the heart of AWPT’s strategy lies a firm alignment with the Saudi National Water Strategy 2030, which outlines the privatization of key infrastructure sectors, including water treatment, wastewater management, and the reuse of treated effluents.
Moussilli emphasizes the instrumental role water infrastructure plays in national development, saying: “Water is no longer just a utility — it is a strategic pillar for economic resilience and public health.”
AWPT’s integrated services span the entire water and wastewater value chain — from engineering, procurement, and construction to operation and maintenance, public-private partnerships, and city management contracts.
This depth of capability positions the company to benefit from the estimated $200 billion in upcoming water infrastructure investments under Vision 2030.
Sustainability at the core
With increasing global attention to environmental conservation, AWPT has integrated sustainability into its operational DNA. Serving over 26 million people across the Kingdom, the company advocates resource optimization, water quality, and long-term resilience.
“Our sustainable water practices are rooted in prevention, remediation, and efficiency,” said Moussilli. This includes proactive leak detection and repair of water lines, maintenance of sewage lines to prevent environmental contamination, and advanced treatment of sludge to enable its reuse in agriculture or other sectors.
“Every drop we save is a step toward decarbonizing our sector,” he added, noting that AWPT’s treatment of wastewater not only protects the environment but also allows for the reuse of treated effluent for irrigation, reducing reliance on freshwater sources.
Strategic objectives: local strength, global reach
With its commanding position in the Saudi market, AWPT is setting its sights on international expansion.
Moussilli outlined a three-pillar strategy for the future, including a focus on sustaining market leadership in Saudi Arabia by capturing new value pools across water and wastewater infrastructure.
Expanding into global markets and leveraging AWPT’s superior operating capabilities and integrated model as competitive advantages is another part of the vision, with diversifying into new environmental services and creating synergies around its water-centric core competencies the final pillar.
This strategy is underpinned by AWPT’s unique ability to grow both top-line and bottom-line performance simultaneously while preserving a strong balance sheet, enabling resilience even amid inflation and rising interest rates.
Saudi insurance market mergers to accelerate amid regulatory push: Fitch
- Agency expects mergers and acquisitions to accelerate
- Several smaller insurers are already in talks with larger rivals
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s insurance sector is headed for a wave of consolidation as tougher capital rules and fierce price competition squeeze smaller players, Fitch Ratings said in a new report.
The agency expects mergers and acquisitions to accelerate as many insurers struggle to meet new capital requirements or remain profitable amid intense competition and rising costs.
The shakeout comes as the newly established Saudi Insurance Authority, which took over from the Saudi Central Bank and the Council of Health Insurance in November 2023, steps up efforts to stabilize and modernize the market in line with Vision 2030.
Several smaller insurers are already in talks with larger rivals as they look for ways to shore up their capital positions and ensure long-term survival.
“These measures will be credit positive for the sector in the long term,” Fitch said. “However, they will increase insurers’ regulatory compliance costs, particularly during implementation, adding to pressure on profitability in the short term.”
Growth, but thin margins
The findings come amid a period of rapid change in the Kingdom’s insurance sector. Even with tighter regulations and competitive pressures, the industry remains a vital pillar of the Saudi economy, covering everything from health and motor to property and mega-project risks.
Despite these challenges, the insurance sector is still growing. According to KPMG’s “Saudi Arabia Insurance Overview 2025,” total revenue rose 16.9 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2024, driven by a boom in compulsory medical cover, increased motor vehicle activity, and the Kingdom’s property development surge.
Health insurance, which accounts for roughly 60 percent of the market, saw revenue climb 13.6 percent in the third quarter alone, thanks to mandatory employee cover.
Motor insurance premiums also rose over 20 percent amid a robust auto market, while property and casualty insurance posted 20 percent growth driven by large-scale construction projects.
Profitability remains a sticking point, however. Health insurance margins have been hurt by medical inflation — the rising costs of medical goods and services — which has pushed up claims payouts even as price competition remains fierce.
Arab News has previously reported on how medical inflation, fueled by technological advances, labor costs, and changing health needs, makes it difficult for insurers to improve their combined ratios.
Fitch noted that of the 10 largest insurers, six made an underwriting profit in the first quarter of 2025, but several did so only marginally. Four of the top 10 reported underwriting losses, showing just how challenging the environment remains for even the biggest players
While property, casualty and life insurance offerings remain generally profitable, medical coverage has weaker margins except at the largest insurers, according to Fitch. Motor insurance, the second-largest segment, continues to face aggressive pricing challenges, particularly for compulsory third-party coverage.
A significant regulatory shift is also underway. Starting from January, insurers must now cede 30 percent of their reinsurance to local firms. This move is designed to bolster domestic reinsurance capacity, but it may temporarily raise counterparty risks for insurers since local reinsurers typically have thinner capital bases.
Over time, however, the quota might help local reinsurers build scale and improve risk management, supporting a more resilient market that keeps premium income and jobs within the Kingdom.
Fitch sees consolidation as inevitable — and ultimately healthy — for the sector. As competition intensifies and regulators raise the bar, many smaller players will likely seek mergers or alliances to survive.
This, the agency says, should create a more stable and competitive insurance industry capable of supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.
GCC vows solid climate action efforts to guard coastal communities
- Secretary-general said coastal zones of GCC nations are environmentally vulnerable, and protecting them is crucial
- He was speaking at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in France
RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council has reaffirmed its commitment to implement strong climate action efforts to tackle environmental issues faced by coastal communities.
Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, said that the council is undertaking various efforts to safeguard the marine environment, particularly the Arabian Gulf, through policies and initiatives that are already yielding visible results.
Al-Budaiwi was speaking at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, which is being held in Nice, France, from June 9-13 and hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Despite being oil-dependent nations, countries in the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, are taking significant steps to combat climate change, with the Kingdom setting its net-zero target for 2060.
In his speech, Al-Budaiwi reviewed the GCC’s collective efforts in working in marine protected areas, combating marine pollution, sustainable fisheries management, marine research and innovations.
“The GCC countries are investing in modern technologies to reduce the risk of spills and protect the marine environment in the Gulf. These efforts embody a strong commitment from the GCC to achieve the goals of (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 14, amidst numerous environmental challenges,” he said according to a statement issued by the organization, adding that the GCC seeks to unify policies, exchange data, and collaborate on early warning systems to address marine and climate risks.
Al-Budaiwi went on to say that the coastal zones of GCC nations are environmentally vulnerable, and protecting them is crucial for sustainable development and prosperity in the region.
“Over 40,000 ships are navigating in the Arabian Gulf annually, including many oil tankers that support the global economy and enhance the region’s status as a business and energy hub. It is not just an environmental asset for our nations but a fundamental pillar for our food security, economic growth, and cultural heritage,” he said.
Al-Budaiwi also used his speech to underscore the importance of adopting ambitious, actionable strategies rooted in local and international expertise to address growing environmental challenges.
He also called for urgent and collective action to transform climate pledges into measurable outcomes, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions.
“Everyone must work together globally through innovation and shared responsibility to confront environmental degradation affecting ocean health,” he added.
During the 43rd meeting on “Future Climate Change Management and Economic Development in the Gulf States” in Muscat in February, Gulf nations announced plans to invest $100 billion in renewable energy by 2030 to cut emissions by up to 20 percent as part of their transition to sustainable energy.
The Kingdom, in particular, is also making significant efforts to ensure a green future and protect marine resources.
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has emerged as a world-class partner in marine science, collaborating with multiple entities to inform data-driven conservation efforts.
KAUST is also partnering with Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city, NEOM, to ensure coral reef restoration and coastal habitat mapping using advanced robotics and artificial intelligence.
As part of its broader sustainability efforts, the Kingdom has also launched the Saudi Green Initiative to advance its environmental goals.
Under SGI, the nation aims to plant 10 billion trees, rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 278 million tons per year.
In April, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife signed an agreement with the UK’s National Oceanography Center to collaborate on marine biodiversity projects.
Under the deal, studies will be conducted to assess the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, and the use of advanced technologies will be explored to mitigate their potential harm.
Maersk, Panattoni, JD Property sign major deals with Saudi entities at Munich logistics expo
- Kingdom’s pavilion brought together 22 key government and private sector stakeholders
- First day witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s logistics capabilities
RIYADH: Global supply chain players, including Maersk, Panattoni, and JD Property, signed agreements with Saudi entities at Transport Logistic 2025, underscoring the Kingdom’s emergence as a key player in the sector.
The deals — involving partnerships with firms such as GFS Express, Hefei Logistics Group, Scan Global, and Koppern — were unveiled as part of Saudi Arabia’s expansive presence at the trade fair, held in Munich, Germany.
Led by the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program and Invest Saudi, the Kingdom’s pavilion brought together 22 key government and private sector stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a central hub in the global logistics sector, with its market valued at $136.3 billion in 2024. It is also projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.5 percent, reaching $198.9 billion by 2030, according to Eurogroup Consulting.
“From hosting tech giants like Apple and iHerb in smart hubs to launching our national car Ceer, Saudi Arabia is becoming an industrial and automotive powerhouse,” said Suliman Al-Mazroua, CEO of NIDLP, according to a post on the organization’s official X account.
He added: “This isn’t just our story, it’s an invitation to dreamers and innovators. The future is happening now.”
Speaking at the three-day event that started on June 3, Al-Mazroua highlighted Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification success.
“For the first time in our history, non-oil activities contribute 55 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product. This isn’t a future target, it’s today’s reality,” he said.
Key deals signed
The first day of the exhibition witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s logistics capabilities and fostering international cooperation.
Among the key deals, GFS Express and Hefei Logistics Group inked a memorandum of understanding to enhance logistics collaboration and develop innovative supply chain solutions.
SAL partnered with GCL to create specialized logistics solutions for the entertainment, sports, and arts sectors.
MODON and JD Property agreed to work on advanced logistics infrastructure and the localization of tech solutions, while JTM, Silk Mile, and Assaat formed an investment partnership to establish a logistics joint venture in the Kingdom.
MODON signed an MoU with US-based Panattoni to develop a logistics project in Jeddah, boosting supply chain efficiency.
Further agreements included SPL, Scan Global, and Maersk collaborating to enhance air freight, delivery solutions, and digital logistics infrastructure, as well as NIDLP partnering with Germany’s Koppern to explore the localization of roller press systems and compaction machines.
The Saudi pavilion attracted strong interest from global investors, industry leaders, and technology partners as it highlighted the Kingdom’s achievements in transport, logistics, and industrial development.
These developments align with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to position the country as a leading global logistics hub connecting three continents.
The event featured six specialized workshops covering infrastructure, digital transformation, and human capital development. A key session, “It’s Happening: Saudi Logistics Now,” emphasized the Kingdom’s logistics transformation through public-private partnerships.
Saudi Arabia continued to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a top-tier logistics and industrial destination, attracting global investors and innovators to join its growth journey.
