KARACHI: Woman investors in Pakistan are “cautiously” looking at the country’s ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and will buy more shares in companies listed on the bourse, if the negotiations succeed.
Woman investors in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi hope that Islamabad’s negotiations with the global lender for a review of its $7 billion program would end on a positive note, thus allowing the market sentiments to boost.
The Washington-based lender has sent a team of experts, led by Nathan Porter, to see if the South Asian nation is complying with the conditions it has set under its reforms-oriented extended fund facility (EFF).
A successful review would not only lead to the release of about $1 billion to cash-strapped Pakistan, but also open new avenues for investors who have been buying and selling company shares at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
“I will be putting more money into the stock market for sure and I would be advising my clients to do the same,” said Saniya Bilal Doni, a 33-year-old CFA charter holder who has been actively investing in Pakistan’s stocks, real estate and gold markets for the last four years.
The mother of two holds a finance degree from the University of Toronto and prefers to make long-term, dividend-based investments in what she called “well performing” banking, real estate, fertilizers and technology stocks that make her portfolio keep growing. Doni though did not quote any numbers to show how big her investment portfolio is.
Having worked for various asset management funds in Canada and Abu Dhabi after completing her graduation in 2013, Doni now is managing her family’s portfolio as well as advising high net-worth individuals on how they should manage their investment portfolios.
She expects more money to come into Pakistan’s economy as a result of a successful IMF review that would help the stocks market increase more.
“All the stocks should technically go up. Yes, that has an impact because as an economy we are unfortunately dependent on IMF’s funding,” she said.
“I am paying attention to all of that, especially as I, you know, make changes to the portfolio, if any, and also if I advise clients.”
Inflation-hit Pakistan has about 350,000 registered individuals who invest in stocks, according to Najeeb Ahmed Khan Warsi, head of online trading at Foundation Securities Ltd.
This number looks dismal given the fact that Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous nation, with more than 240 million people. The number of woman investors at 5 percent is even negligible.
Like others, these woman investors are also concerned about the outcome of Pakistan’s talks with the IMF, which usually take a couple of weeks to conclude.
“As an investor I am very cautious at the moment. I am holding on to my stocks. I am holding on to my investments. I am very careful with that,” said Isra Ghous Rasool, a 22-year-old business management student who bought some Shariah-compliant stocks a year and half ago to prove that women too can invest in stocks.
Pakistan’s central bank has almost halved the interest rates to 12 percent since June last year and made the booming stocks market an attractive place for investors like Doni and Rasool. The stock gauge KSE-100 Index almost doubled last year and gained 87 percent in US dollars terms to make Pakistan one of the world’s best performing markets.
Women like Doni and Rasool think that being investors makes them financially independent and empowered enough to have more control over their finances and choices without depending on their male relatives.
“I have a better relationship with money. I am able to dictate what I want in life and be able to actually pay for it,” said Doni, who sees another rate cut coming on March 10 when Pakistan’s central bank is scheduled to revise the borrowing rate.
“I am definitely looking for more opportunities in the stock market.”
Doni thinks investments help people hedge inflation which though now has eased to a single digit, but was seen peaking to 38 percent in May 2023.
Despite such good examples, Pakistan remains a male-dominated society where women tend to stay away from financial markets and use traditional saving methods like running committees.
Maham Alavi, a 40-year-old Pakistani brand manager, is running an all-women group of investors on Facebook from the Saudi capital Riyadh for the past decade.
Her Facebook group, Women Investment Forum, has now expanded to 15,000 members, about half of them being confident investors or analysts working in different fields in and outside Pakistan.
Alavi herself vets all the Facebook profiles to avoid an online scam.
“I started this group in Sep 2016 with the intent to learn myself and gather as many women as I could because the PSX had always been a male-dominated field in Pakistan,” she told Arab News from Riyadh.
Women Investment Forum is an educational group and does not tell its members where to invest or what to buy.
“That is their decision to make. We try to empower them so they can make decisions themselves,” said Alavi, a mother of two.
Pakistan’s stock exchange also organizes workshops and awareness sessions to promote financial literacy among women that makes them financially independent. One such event is being organized by the PSX on March 10 in Karachi to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
Both Doni and Rasool are equally critical of the prevailing political uncertainty in the country that by and large keeps investor sentiments dampened in Pakistan.
Pakistan is facing a political crisis since April 2022, when prime minister Imran Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary no-trust vote. Khan remains in jail and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party keeps agitating on roads across Pakistan demanding the release of its political prisoners, including Khan.
“Political noise does play a huge role and whenever I’m trying to, you know, encourage, overseas Pakistanis to invest into Pakistani stock market or, you know, real estate, this is their number one concern,” said Doni, while sitting in her home office in Karachi’s Clifton area.
Rasool said political uncertainty has a huge impact on stock fundamentals. Recalling how the stock market had reacted to the arrest of Khan, she said a lot of stocks were oversold and a lot of investors had opted for selling their holdings in panic.
In their Women’s Day message, Alavi, Doni and Rasool said women, who make up half of Pakistan’s total population, should at least start learning about making investments in stocks for long-term gains.
“The IMF guys are right now in the country, so things are on the upward trajectory. If you’re still on the fence, on the sidelines, at least equip yourself with the right knowledge,” Doni urged.
Women investors await Pakistan-IMF talk results to decide on stock investments
https://arab.news/c7mpv
Women investors await Pakistan-IMF talk results to decide on stock investments
- IMF has sent a team of experts to see if the South Asian nation is complying with the conditions it has set under the $7 billon program
- A successful review will not only lead to the release of about $1 billion to cash-strapped Pakistan, but also open new avenues for investors
audi Arabia, Azerbaijan sign SME deal to strengthen trade ties
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have signed a comprehensive agreement focused on strengthening economic collaboration through the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, in a move that underscores both nations’ commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment.
The memorandum of understanding was formalized during the 8th session of the Saudi-Azerbaijani Joint Committee, held in Riyadh. It was signed between Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, and Azerbaijan’s Small and Medium Business Development Agency, known as KOBIA.
The SME agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritizes economic diversification and entrepreneurship. For Azerbaijan, it marks another step in forging strategic partnerships in the Gulf region to bolster private-sector growth and create new market opportunities for innovative enterprises.
In a statement posted on X, Monsha’at said: “In the presence of H.E Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Samir Sharifov, Monsha’at, signed a MoU with ‘KOBİA’ Agency, as part of the 8th session of the Saudi-Azerbaijani Joint Committee activities, to strengthen cooperation in supporting the SMEs and entrepreneurship’s growth between the two countries.”
The agreement encompasses a broad range of initiatives, including knowledge exchange, joint training programs, and support for technical innovation. It also promotes investment opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and institutional collaboration through exhibitions and shared platforms.
In a separate announcement, the Saudi Ministry of Investment revealed the signing of two additional memorandums of understanding between private-sector companies from both countries.
“These agreements cover the development of maritime infrastructure and the establishment of industrial and medical facilities in the Kingdom, including the production of biotechnology and oncology medicines, the establishment of research and development centers, and infrastructure for re-export warehouses,” the Ministry noted in a post on X.
The joint committee also reviewed a series of potential joint ventures aimed at strengthening cooperation across mutually beneficial sectors. These initiatives are closely aligned with both countries’ long-term goals for economic diversification.
Officials from Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of fostering dynamic SME ecosystems as engines of job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness. By aligning policy frameworks and enabling institutional collaboration, the two nations aim to unlock greater private-sector engagement and regional trade expansion.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,746
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.
Diriyah Co. awards $1.13bn contract for King Saud University relocation
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. has awarded a SR4.22 billion ($1.13 billion) construction contract to relocate King Saud University’s utilities and administration offices, advancing infrastructure development in one of the Kingdom’s flagship urban projects.
The project was given to a joint venture between China Railway Construction Corp.’s Saudi branch and China Railway Construction Group Central Plain Construction Co., according to a press release.
Part of the Public Investment Fund’s giga-project portfolio, the Diriyah development is a 14 sq. km mixed-use district poised to house nearly 100,000 residents and provide office space for tens of thousands of professionals across the technology, media, arts, and education sectors.
Once complete, it is expected to generate 178,000 jobs, attract nearly 50 million annual visitors, and contribute SR70 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Co., said: “We are delighted to announce this major contract to support King Saud University, whose campus adjoins the Diriyah development area.”
He emphasized that the agreement represents a significant step in furthering efforts to enhance both educational and infrastructural excellence in the Kingdom.
“We are proud to support one of the Kingdom’s leading academic institutions in delivering enhanced infrastructure services that will benefit both its students and the broader university community,” Inzerillo said.
The contract includes the design and construction of several critical infrastructure components. These include a district cooling plant, water storage facilities, and a sewage treatment plant, as well as an LPG/SNG plant and a diesel pumping station.
The scope also covers a utility tunnel, irrigation tanks, office buildings, warehouses, and maintenance workshops.
Li Chongyang, chairman of China Railway Construction International Group, said the project reflects the firm’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to the highest standards.
“We look forward to contributing to the success of this iconic project and supporting the continued growth of King Saud University,” he said.
This latest award brings the total value of contracts issued by Diriyah Co. in 2025 to over $2.9 billion, as the area undergoes rapid transformation into a global destination aligned with Vision 2030.
Qatar attracts $13.8m industrial investments in Q1
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.
Warehouse occupancy in Saudi Arabia nearing saturation: Knight Frank
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s industrial and logistics market is experiencing growth, with warehouse occupancy rates nearing saturation and rental prices in Riyadh increasing by 16 percent year-on-year, according to Knight Frank.
The firm’s latest “Saudi Arabia Industrial and Logistics Market Review” highlighted a booming sector driven by e-commerce expansion, strategic government initiatives, and surging foreign investment.
The Kingdom’s logistics hubs — Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Dammam Metropolitan Area— are operating at near-full capacity.
Riyadh leads with a 98 percent occupancy rate, while Jeddah and Dammam follow closely at 97 percent each.
This momentum was also reflected in occupancy rates in Abu Dhabi with its industrial and logistics market maintaining near-full capacity, mirroring Dubai’s tight supply.
Key hubs like Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone saw sustained demand, driven by strategic infrastructure projects and growing manufacturing activity, according to a separate report by Knight Frank.
Riyadh’s prime warehouse spaces now command rents exceeding SR250 ($66.6) per sq. meter, while city-wide averages hit SR208.
“Despite a slowdown in demand during the second half of the year, city-wide rental rates increased by 16 percent year-on-year,” the report said.
Jeddah’s lease rates for Grade B facilities rose to SR238 per sq. meter, with the high-end Asfan district maintaining 100 percent occupancy at SR387 per sq. meter. Dammam Metropolitan Area saw rents jump 14.8 percent to SR202 per sq. meter, fueled by a chronic shortage of quality logistics space.
E-commerce and mega-projects fuel growth
Rapid urbanization, a tech-savvy consumer base, and giga-projects like the Special Integrated Logistics Zone and Sino-Saudi Logistics Zone are reshaping demand.
“Demographic shifts including rapid urbanization, increased female workforce participation, and a tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial consumer base are accelerating the growth of the e-commerce sector,” the report stated.
The 3-million-sq. meter Special Integrated Logistics Zone has attracted global players like SHEIN and Apple, while the 4-million-sq. meter Sino-Saudi zone aims to strengthen trade ties with China.
Government initiatives and private investment
The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s industrial strategy, aiming to increase the transport and logistics sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product to 10 percent by 2030, from 6 percent in 2021.
Public-private partnerships are flourishing, with projects like the Tamer Logistics Park and Agility Logistics Park set to expand supply in key regions.
“Substantial investments to improve and expand connectivity and trade infrastructure, along with regulatory reforms are helping transform Saudi Arabia into a logistics powerhouse,” the report emphasized.
Sustainability and digital transformation
The sector is also pivoting toward sustainability and automation. Companies like Maersk and Agility are adopting solar-powered warehouses, while digital tools streamline operations.
“Sustainability has become a major market driver, with companies integrating renewable energy fields and LEED-certified buildings,” said Adam Wynne, partner at Knight Frank.
With 36,000 factories projected by 2035 and FDI reforms attracting multinationals, Knight Frank predicts sustained growth.
“Saudi Arabia is on track to become a regional logistics powerhouse,” Wynne said, citing the Kingdom’s integration of “global expertise, modern infrastructure, and green initiatives.”
