RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 38.43 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 11,746.20.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.87 billion ($1.83 billion), as 86 stocks advanced, while only 157 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 5 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 1,493.77. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, dipped, losing 89.34 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 28,331.37. This comes as 35 stocks advanced, while 43 retreated.

The best-performing stock on the main index was Arabian Contracting Services Co., with its share price surging by 9.88 percent to SR131.20.

Other top performers included Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.94 percent to SR4.25, and Sumou Real Estate Co., which saw a 3.93 percent increase to SR 46.25. 

The worst performer of the day was Alistithmar AREIC Diversified REIT Fund, whose share price fell by 3.39 percent to SR9.41. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co. and Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2.94 percent and 2.83 percent to SR185 and SR5.83, respectively. 

On the announcements front, Alinma Bank announced its interim financial results for the first three months of the year, with net profit amounting to SR1.5 million, a 1.3 percent dip compared to the previous quarter.

The bank’s total comprehensive income saw a 56 percent increase in the first quarter of 2025 to reach SR1.6 million. 

Saudi Ceramic Co. also announced its financial results for the same period, with its net profit dipping by 88.4 percent to SR20.8 million compared to the previous quarter. Similarly, the company’s total comprehensive income saw a decrease of 88.7 percent to SR20.8 million. 

Saudi Ceramic Co.’s share price traded 3.15 percent higher on the main market to reach SR27.85. 

In the first quarter of 2025, Astra Industrial Group’s net profits saw a 30.7 percent quarter-on-quarter increase to reach SR171.8 million. The group attributed the increase to an uptick in gross profit in the pharmaceuticals sector and a decrease in finance costs in the specialty chemical sector. 

The group’s share price traded 0.52 percent lower to reach SR153.

JEDDAH: Qatar recorded 50 million riyals ($13.8 million) in new industrial investments and a 32 percent rise in commercial registrations in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring momentum in its economic diversification and reform agenda.

At its quarterly meeting held on April 28 and chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani, the ministry reviewed key performance indicators and introduced several policy updates aimed at bolstering the business environment.

Among the major reforms highlighted were streamlined company registration procedures for foreign investors and simplified environmental permitting processes.

“The meeting also discussed cooperating with the Ministry of Transport to include logistical activities under a single commercial registration; and announcing the automatic issuance of a tax card upon issuing a commercial registration,” the ministry said in a press release.

In January, Qatar unveiled two major policy frameworks: the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Strategy and the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024–2030. Under the theme “Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth,” the initiatives are aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and aim to enhance private sector participation, expand manufacturing capabilities, and attract foreign direct investment.

The strategies target a 3.4 percent compound annual growth rate in non-oil sectors by 2030 and aim to secure $100 billion in foreign investment, while promoting an innovation-driven economy.

As part of its efforts to support local industry, the ministry launched a new “National Product” webpage to promote fair competition and improve product quality. The verification period also began for factories seeking benefits under the In-Country Value Plus policy.

“The meeting further discussed the key performance indicators for various sectors and administrative units. Results showed that the contribution of the manufacturing sector to real gross domestic product reached 52.4 billion riyals in 2024,” the ministry said.

Qatar also made notable gains in global competitiveness, climbing from 18th in 2022 to 11th in 2024 in the International Institute for Management Development’s business efficiency rankings.

During the first quarter, the ministry conducted 39,558 inspection campaigns and reported significant progress under the Third National Development Strategy.

“The meeting also reviewed the progress of projects under the Third National Development Strategy – concluding that 17 percent of the ministry’s projects were completed and work is ongoing on 23 percent of projects,” the report said.

Efforts to reduce service fees and simplify business registration for overseas investors have contributed to an 87 percent increase in new commercial licenses compared to the same period in 2024. The time required to issue commercial registrations has also decreased significantly.

“Furthermore, the increase of permissible activities for home-based businesses from 10 to 63 activities led to a 54 percent surge in the number of home business licenses,” the ministry noted.

The Single Window platform introduced three new e-services in the first quarter, with 38 additional services scheduled for rollout later this year, supported by strong user satisfaction.

“Local patent applications, trademark registration applications, and copyright registration applications grew by more than 18 percent compared to the first quarter of 2024,” the statement added.

On the industrial front, eight new factories were launched in Q1, and non-hydrocarbon industrial exports reached approximately 29.8 billion riyals. The ministry also began reviewing six potential public-private partnership opportunities.

In consumer affairs, authorities ramped up inspection and awareness campaigns to deter trade violations and reviewed the nation’s strategic stockpile and food and fodder security.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Undersecretary Mohamed bin Hassan Al-Maliki, assistant undersecretaries, and department directors.

It concluded with a review of project milestones and discussions on overcoming implementation challenges while improving operational performance.