| KAFD at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s economic and investment future
The King Abdullah Financial District is fast emerging as a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, playing a critical role in the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify and establish itself as a global hub for commerce and investment. |
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| GCC central banks hold interest rates steady for 3rd time following Fed’s move
Gulf Cooperation Council central banks have kept interest rates steady for the third consecutive period, mirroring the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold its benchmark rate between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent. |
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| Saudi Arabia sees 73% surge in e-commerce sales using MADA cards
Saudi e-commerce sales via MADA cards surged 73.4 percent year on year in March to a record SR27.55 billion ($7.34 billion), reflecting rapid growth in the Kingdom’s digital payment ecosystem. |
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| Saudi Arabia sees 13% rise in patent filing to reach 8,029 in 2024
Saudi Arabia’s intellectual property landscape continued its robust growth in 2024, with patent filings rising by 13.33 percent year on year to reach a record 8,029, according to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. |
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| Saudi Arabia fast-tracks shift to cashless economy on back of fintech boom
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its journey toward becoming a cashless society, propelled by a booming fintech sector, rising consumer adoption of digital services, and a proactive regulatory framework. |
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| UAE gross banking assets climb to $1.26tn in February
The UAE’s banking sector witnessed continued momentum in February, as key indicators of liquidity and credit expanded steadily. |
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| Kuwait economy to grow at 3.3% in 2026 despite global challenges
The outlook for Kuwait economy in 2025-2026 remains broadly positive, with GDP projected to expand by 3.3 percent by 2026, following several years of below-trend growth that reflected both lower oil production due to OPEC+ cuts and the fading of the post-pandemic consumer spending bounce. |
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| ABK announces 8% growth in net profit to KD 15.69 million in Q1 2025
Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) Group announced its financial results for Q1 2025, reflecting continued outstanding performance and growth across financial indicators. |
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| Burgan Bank reports strong earnings for Q1 ’25, posts net income of KD 10.7 million
Burgan Bank (“Burgan” or “the Bank”) announced its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025 (Q1 2025). The Bank delivered robust financial results for Q1 2025, reporting revenues of KD 57.9 million—a remarkable 8 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi benchmark index edges down 0.31% to close at 11,398
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell on Wednesday, shedding 35.34 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 11,398.74. |
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| Saudi POS spending hits $4bn, fueled by increased spending across all sectors
Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale transactions climbed 36.2 percent to SR15.4 billion ($4.1 billion) in the week ending May 3, driven by increased spending across all sectors. |
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| Tadawul’s market cap up 463% since 2014: S&P Global
The market capitalization of Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index reached $2.7 trillion at the end of 2024, representing a 10-year rise of 463 percent, according to an analysis. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,434
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward momentum for a second straight day, gaining 11.13 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,434.08 on Tuesday. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s revised 2024 capital investment rises to $355bn, surpassing target by 38%
Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR1.33 trillion ($355 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 4.5 percent annual increase, according to updated data released by the Ministry of Investment. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads 106% rise in MENA IPO proceeds across Q1: EY
Proceeds from initial public offerings across the Middle East and North Africa saw a 106 percent annual rise in the first quarter of 2025, fueled by Saudi Arabia, according to an analysis. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m
Saudi Arabia led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals — accounting for more than two-thirds of the region’s total investment for the month. |
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| UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global
The non-oil private sectors of the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar continued their expansion in April, supported by strong demand, improving output, and stable employment conditions, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys released by S&P Global. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector growth continues in April as PMI hits 55.6
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector continued to expand in April, with the Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 55.6, indicating sustained growth in business activity, a new survey showed. |
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| Saudi bank lending hits $827bn in March, fastest growth in over 3.5 years
Saudi Arabia’s banking sector continued its robust lending expansion in March, with total credit reaching SR3.1 trillion ($827.2 billion), marking a 16.26 percent year-on-year increase. |
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| Saudi Arabia posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth
Saudi Arabia recorded a deficit of SR58.7 billion ($15.65 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, driven by declining oil revenues and increased spending to support Vision 2030 development initiatives, according to the Finance Ministry. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 11.45 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,422.95. |
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| Saudi Arabia leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m
Saudi Arabia led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals — accounting for more than two-thirds of the region’s total investment for the month. |
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| Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding
Saudi fintech firm Nqoodlet has announced the successful closure of a $3 million seed funding round aimed at accelerating its mission to streamline financial operations for small and medium-sized enterprises. |
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| Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March
Oman’s inflation rate inched up by 0.56 percent in March, reflecting overall price stability despite notable movements in select consumer categories, official data showed. |
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| Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return
Saudi Arabia launched the May issuance of its Sah savings sukuk, offering retail investors a fixed return of 4.66 percent as the government continues to push savings participation. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,411
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 132.17 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 11,411.50. |
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| Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook
Saudi-based Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. has retained its A3 financial strength rating from Moody’s, reflecting the firm’s strong market position and disciplined underwriting. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s flynas Middle East’s fastest-growing airline from 2019-2024: report
Saudi low-cost carrier flynas’s capacity increased by 63 percent from 2019 to 2024, making it the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East region, according to an analysis. |
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| Strong non-oil growth to support GCC economies amid OPEC+ cuts: IMF
Short-term gains in non-oil sectors are expected to help Gulf Cooperation Council countries offset the negative impact of prolonged OPEC+ crude production cuts, according to an International Monetary Fund analysis. |
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| Riyadh Air signs 11 deals to boost global reach and promote Saudi culture and hospitality
New Saudi airline Riyadh Air signed 11 strategic agreements this week it said will expand its global footprint, elevate the travel experience, and help promote the Kingdom’s culture and hospitality. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s real GDP grows 2.7% in Q1: GASTAT
Saudi Arabia’s economy saw annual growth of 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong momentum in non-oil activities as the Kingdom continues efforts to diversify away from hydrocarbons. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s net FDI up 26%: GASTAT
Net foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia reached SR22.1 billion ($5.89 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing a rise of 26 percent compared to the previous three months, newly released official data showed. |
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| Peru keen to boost agricultural, food exports to Saudi Arabia, foreign minister says
Peru is seeking to boost exports of agricultural and food industry products to Saudi Arabia while leveraging the tax incentives and benefits available to foreign investors, a top official said. |
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| PIF announces pricing of $1.25bn international sukuk offering
The Public Investment Fund on Thursday announced the pricing of a $1.25 billion sukuk offering, with the proceeds of the dollar-denominated offering to be used for PIF’s general corporate purposes. |
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| Saudi banks weathering external debt surge amid Vision 2030 push: S&P report
Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is set to absorb a rise in external debt, driven by increasing financing demands under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, according to a new report. |
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| Saudi POS spending hits $3bn, fueled by jewelry sales
Jewelry spending in Saudi Arabia hit SR320.7 million ($85.4 million) between April 20 and 26, marking a weekly rise of 18.2 percent, according to the latest official figures. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,671
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 74.62 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 11,671.58. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s PIF starts selling 7-year sukuk, document shows
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, has begun accepting bids for the sale of benchmark-sized, dollar-denominated 7-year Islamic bonds, or sukuk, according to an arranging bank document seen by Reuters on Wednesday. |
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| Saudi Arabia raises undeveloped land tax to 10%, expands scope to vacant properties
Saudi Arabia has raised the annual fee on undeveloped land from 2.5 percent to up to 10 percent of property value, as part of Cabinet-approved reforms to address market imbalances. |
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| Kuwaiti investors encouraged to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia by industry minister
Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources has urged Kuwaiti investors to seize untapped opportunities in the Kingdom’s mining sector. |
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| GCC share of emerging-market dollar debt jumps to 35% in Q1
Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for over 35 percent of all emerging-market US dollar debt issued in the first quarter of the year— excluding China— marking a sharp increase from around 25 percent in 2024, a new report revealed. |
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| Warehouse occupancy in Saudi Arabia nearing saturation: Knight Frank
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. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,746
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 38.43 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 11,746.20. |
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| Diriyah Co. awards $1.13bn contract for King Saud University relocation
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. |
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| Saudia Cargo, Henan Aviation Group ink deal to bolster routes between Riyadh, Zhengzhou
Saudi Arabia and China are strengthening their air cargo cooperation through a new agreement to create a joint freight hub as part of the Air Silk Road initiative. |
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| PIF’s AviLease secures investment-grade ratings from Moody’s, Fitch
Saudi Arabia’s AviLease has secured investment-grade corporate credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, as the global aircraft lessor continues to expand its portfolio and strategic role within the Kingdom’s aviation sector. |
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| Saudi travel bookings surge in early 2025 with growth in regional demand: report
Saudi travel bookings surged in the first quarter, 2025, with regional demand up 14 percent driven by mobile-first convenience, flexible payments, and value-focused accommodations, a new report showed. |
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| Qatar attracts $13.8m industrial investments in Q1
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. |
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| Saudi Ports Authority to develop $79m logistics zone at Dammam port
Saudi Arabia’s General Ports Authority, known as Mawani, has signed a new agreement to develop a SR300 million ($79 million) logistics zone at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, further strengthening the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global logistics hub. |
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| Eastern Province tops Saudi Arabia for FDI, with $97.6bn, says top official
Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province is leading the Kingdom in attracting foreign direct investment, with the value of its FDI stock standing at SR366 billion ($97.6 billion) — 42 percent of the country’s cumulative total, according to a senior official. |