Latest news with #SaudiCapitalMarketAuthority
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
The Saudi CMA Approves A Set Of Amendments Aimed At Facilitating The Process Of Opening Investment Accounts For Foreign Investors
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has approved a set of amendments that includes a set of facilitations related to the procedures for opening and operating investment accounts for certain categories of investors. The amendments aim to keep pace with regulatory and technological developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to facilitate investment in the Saudi capital market by enhancing the procedures for opening and operating investment accounts, including the addition of new investor categories and regulating transactions related to those accounts. These changes are expected to strengthen the attractiveness of the Saudi capital market to both local and international investors, enhance investor protection, and reinforce the confidence of market participants.
Saudi Gazette
27-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
CMA refers a number of violators to Public Prosecution
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has referred a number of suspects to the Public Prosecution for their violation of the Capital Market Law and the Market Conduct Regulations. The CMA board decided to take the punitive action against the suspects for violating Article 49 of the Capital Market Law and Article 2 of the Market Conduct Regulations through their involvement in influencing the outcome of the share offering of National Building and Marketing Co. on the Parallel Market. They involved in the crime with the aim of creating a false and misleading impression regarding the security and the company's fulfillment of the liquidity requirements necessary for listing on the Parallel Market. Additionally, it was found their involvement in executing transition and transactions in order to fraudulently meet the eligibility criteria for the transition to the main market. The CMA emphasized to all market participants that unlawful practices involving fraud, deception, misrepresentation and manipulation constitute violations that subject perpetrators to legal accountability and the imposition of penalties under the Capital market Law and its implementing regulations. The CMA underscored its commitment to pursuing those who manipulate the capital market by monitoring their transactions, utilizing its authority under the Capital Market Law, and fulfilling its responsibility to protect citizens and investors from unfair or improper practices. The CMA is dedicated to ensuring justice, efficiency, and transparency in securities transactions.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
SAR 423 Billion In Foreign Investments: Saudi Arabia Launches Offshore Securities Business License
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 26 (Bernama) -- Over the past decade, the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has methodically advanced the Kingdom's capital market reforms, gradually opening its financial markets to international investors. This transformation has attracted substantial global institutional interest, with foreign holdings reaching approximately SAR 423 billion by the end of 2024. The recent introduction of the Offshore Securities Business License underscores Saudi Arabia's ambition to establish itself as a leading regional and global financial center. The QFI program in 2015 was the first program to provide direct access into Saudi markets for foreign investors. Prior to the QFI program, foreign investors could only access Saudi equities through swap arrangements, once foreign institutions qualified as QFIs, the program created a direct way for foreign institutions to transact in the Saudi market, further expanding the overall market access.
Business Upturn
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
SAR 423 Billion in Foreign Investments: Saudi Arabia Launches Offshore Securities Business License
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Over the past decade, the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has methodically advanced the Kingdom's capital market reforms, gradually opening its financial markets to international investors. This transformation has attracted substantial global institutional interest, with foreign holdings reaching approximately SAR 423 billion by the end of 2024. The recent introduction of the Offshore Securities Business License underscores Saudi Arabia's ambition to establish itself as a leading regional and global financial center. The QFI program in 2015 was the first program to provide direct access into Saudi markets for foreign investors. Prior to the QFI program, foreign investors could only access Saudi equities through swap arrangements, once foreign institutions qualified as QFIs, the program created a direct way for foreign institutions to transact in the Saudi market, further expanding the overall market access. Advertisement Since then, the CMA has gradually dismantled many of the restrictions that once limited foreign participation. In 2018, asset thresholds for QFI eligibility were lowered, per-investor ownership caps were raised from 5 to 10 percent, and the pool of eligible investors was expanded. Also, improvements to corporate governance, financial disclosure, and market infrastructure made Saudi Arabia's capital market more transparent and credible. These reforms helped the Kingdom secure inclusion in the MSCI and FTSE Russell emerging market indices in 2019, a development that catalyzed massive capital inflows. The impact was instant, QFI owned SAR 13.7 billion in Saudi market in 2018. That figure increased to SAR 134.48 billion in 2019, coinciding with index inclusion. By the end of 2024, foreign investors held about SAR 423 billion in equities—up from around SAR 86 billion just six years earlier. Beyond these broad reforms, the CMA has continued to refine foreign access. In January 2025, it published a landmark rule change permitting foreign ownership in Saudi-listed companies that own real estate assets in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Previously, such ownership was prohibited due to restrictions on property in the two cities. Under the new regulation, non-Saudi investors—whether individuals or institutions—can now own up to 49% jointly of shares or convertible debt in these companies. The CMA also recently published a framework for a new offshore license, intended to allow financial institutions to conduct securities business through a regional headquarters. While still pending implementation, this initiative aims to position the Kingdom as a regional and global financial hub for securities. This Offshore Securities Business License will enable licensed institutions to carry out securities activities, as well as manage investment funds that invest in securities within the Kingdom. These services may be provided to foreign clients outside the Kingdom, in addition to a specified category of local clients. Additionally, the license will allow its holder to invest in the Saudi capital market without the need to meet the qualification requirements typically imposed on qualified foreign investors. In addition, this license will enable its holder the access to a broader client base, including transactions with sovereign investment funds such as the Public Investment Fund, which manages over SAR 3.5 trillion in assets in 2024, as well as pension funds within the Kingdom. The offshore licensees and structure also present other benefits to developing and establishing private investment funds in Saudi Arabia. Offshore licensees will have flexible contractual terms as they will focus on addressing a complex and sophisticated investment needs. Taken together, these reforms represent one of the most comprehensive efforts among emerging markets to integrate with global capital flows. The CMA's approach—measured, regulatory-driven, and clearly aligned with Vision 2030—has generated confidence among international investors. While challenges remain, particularly in implementation and investor onboarding processes, the trajectory is clear. Saudi Arabia is building a market that not only attracts foreign capital, but retains it through stability, structure, and institutional trust. As the offshore licensing regime moves toward activation, it stands as the latest signal that the Kingdom's financial sector is not just open—it is competing. Contact: Capital Market Authority Communication & Investor Protection Division +966114906009 +966557666932 [email protected] Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Bloomberg
15-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Saudi Coffee Chain Seeks Bankers to Pursue Possible IPO
Saudi Arabian coffee chain Barn's has started work on an initial public offering in Riyadh as it seeks to expand its footprint in the Middle East. Barn's is working with the Saudi Capital Market Authority on steps for IPO approval and looking to hire banks to advise on a planned offering, according to Mohammed Alzain, chief executive officer of the Jeddah-based firm.
