Saudi Arabia will allow foreign investors to expand their trading activity across its capital markets and continue trading even if they leave the Gulf, as the kingdom seeks to expand its investor base.
Individual foreign investors residing in the six-nation Gulf region can now invest in shares of listed companies on the main Saudi stock market, or Tasi, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) said in a statement on Monday.
This compares to the previous limitation of their securities activity on the debt instruments market, investment funds, the derivatives market and the parallel market known as Nomu. Saudi Arabia opened its stock exchange to Gulf residents in July, a move expected to help attract more foreign direct investment into the Arab world's largest bourse.
"Furthermore, trading in the main market was previously restricted to being a final beneficiary under a swap agreement with a capital market institution or as a client of a capital market institution that made investment decisions on their behalf," the CMA said.
Also, foreign investors who had previously resided in Saudi Arabia or any of the Gulf nations will now be allowed to continue operating their investment accounts and investing in listed shares on Tasi even after their residency has ended and they have returned to their home country, the CMA said.
These investment activities will be permitted provided investors were able to open an investment account in the kingdom, it added.
“These enhancements are part of the authority’s continued efforts to create a transparent and accessible investment environment for both local and international participants," said Abdulaziz Almojel, deputy for strategy, research and international relations at the CMA.
"By facilitating account procedures and broadening investor eligibility, we are strengthening the foundations of the Saudi capital market and reinforcing our role as a forward-looking regulator supporting national economic development."
Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its economic agenda by rolling out several initiatives that underpin its diversification programme. The kingdom's real gross domestic product growth is expected to accelerate to 3.9 per cent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund, supported by the Opec+ production cut phase out schedule.
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector gained further momentum in September, growing at its fastest pace in six months, according to the latest Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers Index by S&P Global.
Additionally, the kingdom has awarded contracts worth $196 billion to develop its commissioned giga projects, up 20 per cent on 2024, with the increase driven by real estate and infrastructure work amid a shift from planning to execution.
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Rally schedule:
Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage – Yas Marina Circuit – start 3.30pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (276.01km)
Monday: Nissan Stage 2 (287.92km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (281.38km)
Wednesday: ADNOC Stage 4 (244.49km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (218.57km) Finish: Yas Marina Circuit – 4.30pm.
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
