CFC Consulting Middle East

🚀 Saudi Arabia Unveils Bold Strategy to Strengthen Financial Markets and Attract Global Investments 🌍 The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has launched a forward-thinking plan for 2024-2026, aiming to: ✅ Develop a robust debt market ✅ Boost the international competitiveness of its asset management industry ✅ Enhance investor protection and market transparency With 40+ initiatives in place, the strategy includes: Introducing special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) to diversify investment opportunities Issuing Saudi depositary receipts to attract international investors Simplifying regulations for offering and listing sukuk and debt instruments This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on building an advanced financial ecosystem and positioning the Kingdom as a leading regional and global financial hub. 🌟 Key Focus Areas: 💼 Market Transparency 💡 Innovation in Fintech 🌱 Green, Social, and Sustainable Debt Instruments 🔒 Investor Protection With a goal to increase the stock market's value to 80.8% of GDP by 2025 and expand the debt instruments market to 24.1%, Saudi Arabia is set to become a financial powerhouse in the region. CMA Chairman Mohammed ElKuwaiz : "Our strategy underscores the creation of a robust debt market, enhancement of asset management, and a stronger economy through increased investments." #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiInvestments #SaudiArabia #SaudiCapitalMarkets

Saudi Arabia’s event management industry is accelerating rapidly, with projected growth from $2.38B in 2024 to $3.45B by 2029. 🚀🌍 The Kingdom is transforming into a global events powerhouse, hosting massive gatherings like MDLBEAST, LEAP, Riyadh Season | موسم الرياض, and the Red Sea Film Festival. With Riyadh Expo 2030 and Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™️ 2034 bid on the horizon, Saudi cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam are becoming key MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hubs, challenging long-established leaders like Dubai and Doha. 🏙️✨ Key drivers behind this growth include Saudi Arabia’s open-door policies, extensive investments in hospitality and travel infrastructure, and the integration of cutting-edge technology into real-world events. This combination is helping the Kingdom attract global attention and establish itself as a must-attend destination for world-class events. 💼💡 Next up is the Saudi Event Show 2024 in Riyadh, bringing together over 4,500 event and MICE professionals. Hosted on September 11-12 at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, it will feature 100+ exhibitors from more than 30 countries, showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations in the events industry. 🌟🎤 Saudi Entertainment Ventures | SEVEN SAUDI ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo #SaudiEntertainment #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiEconomy

𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗘𝗩 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Bold Move Toward Sustainability or Just Hype? ⚡️ Explore the milestones, challenges, and game-changing developments driving the Kingdom's green transition. Ceer Lucid Motors Public Investment Fund (PIF) EV Auto Show Riyadh Lucid Motors News Peter Rawlinson Jim DeLuca Electric Vehicle Info EV Metals Group (EVM) EVIQ #EV #SaudiArabia #SaudiDevelopment #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiSusntainability #CeerMotors #LucidMotors

Knight Frank's annual report highlights the rapid progress of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects under Vision 2030, now valued at $1.3 trillion—a 4% increase from last year. 📈 Awarded contracts since 2016 total $164 billion, with $249 billion worth of projects currently underway. 🏙️ Riyadh: The city is central to the transformation, with $314 billion in real estate and infrastructure projects since 2016. By 2030, it will add 340,000 homes, 4.6 million square meters of office space, 2.6 million square meters of retail space, and 28,800 hotel rooms. Key projects include the New Murabba, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiyah. 🌅 Western Region: There are 17 giga-projects valued at $685.5 billion, including #NEOM, #RedSeaGlobal, and #JeddahEconomicCity. NEOM, the highlight, includes 12 destinations, such as The Line and OXAGON, with $28.7 billion in awarded contracts. 🌐 Other Regions: Additional projects worth $115 billion, including King Salman Energy Park and Soudah, aim to boost infrastructure, tourism, and economic diversification. These initiatives will contribute 535,000 residential units, 3,500 hotel rooms, and 415,000 square meters of retail space. NEOM Red Sea Global King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) #SaudiEconomy #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiVision #GigaProjects

Saudi banks’ real estate loans hit $217.82 billionin Q2 2024, a 12% annual jump 📈, now making up nearly 30% of all loans . Key Takeaways: Growth Drivers: Real estate loans surged from 17% to 30% in five years, fueled by 🏙️ urban development, e-commerce, and #Vision2030's push for diversification. Focus on Affordability: Big opportunities in 🏡 affordable housing and 🌱 sustainable projects, with market leaders like Al Saedan Real Estate and Kingdom Holding leading the way. Boost in Home Financing: Enhanced mortgage options and policies are driving 🏠 homeownership toward the 70% target by 2030, even with fluctuating interest rates 📉. Market Resilience: Despite rate hikes, the sector remains strong 💪, backed by Public Investment Fund projects and solid asset quality, per Fitch Ratings. As Saud Alsulaimani, Country Head, KSA at JLL, said: “The dynamic and fast-paced evolution of the real estate landscape in Saudi Arabia is marked by expansion and opportunities for growth as the Kingdom moves closer to achieving its Vision 2030 goals". #SaudiRealEstate #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiEconomy Saudi Real Estate Infrastructure Company (BINYAH) Real Estate Saudi Al Saudi Real Estate Development Co. Al Widyan Saudi Real Estate Co. Saudi Bonyan Real Estate Investment Co.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia's ports experienced a 14.6% 📈 increase in container traffic, handling 3.4 million TEUs 📥 inbound and 2.2 million TEUs 📤 outbound. Outbound cargo totaled 203.5 million tonnes, with King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu managing the largest share (89.8 million tonnes) 🚢. Inbound cargo reached 105.1 million tonnes, with Jeddah Islamic Port leading at 38.9 million tonnes ⚓. Ship traffic surged by 33.8% 🚀, with a total of 19,082 ships. King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu had the highest traffic (6,538 ships) ⛴️. Overall, 334 million tonnes of cargo were handled 📦, and passenger traffic grew by 11.5% to over 1 million travelers 👥. The Kingdom's ports covered 104 sq. km 🗺️, with Ras Al Khair Port being the largest at 23 sq. km. Saudi Ports Authority Shipping Arabia HUSSIEN ALY ELSHERIF MAHER ALHMDI #SaudiArabia #SaudiLogistics #SaudiPorts #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiMaritime

🎉 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊 𝑨𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒔 94𝒕𝒉 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒚! 🎉 Today, we celebrate the spirit, unity, and incredible journey of a nation that continues to shine brighter every year. 🇸🇦 From its rich heritage to its bold vision for the future, Saudi Arabia stands as a beacon of progress, resilience, and innovation. As we look forward to the milestones yet to come, let’s honor the achievements that have made this country a leader in the region and beyond. Wishing prosperity, peace, and continued growth to the Kingdom and all its people! 💚🤍 #SaudiNationalDay #KSA94 #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia

Is Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Boom Just Hype? 🚨 Unveiling the Truth Behind the 4.9% Growth in Q2 2024 📊 According to General Authority For Statistics, the financial and insurance sectors 💼 played a key role in this expansion. The International Monetary Fund projects a 4.4% growth 📊 in the non-oil sector in the medium term, with overall growth expected to reach 4.7% by 2025 as oil production cuts phase out. Despite a 0.3% decline 📉 in real GDP compared to Q2 2023, the seasonally adjusted GDP grew 1.4% 📊 from Q1 2024. Government activities increased by 3.6% 📈 year-on-year, while sectors like electricity, gas, and water 💡🌊 saw the highest growth at 8.9%. The IMF praised Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030 🏙️, noting robust non-oil activity, stable inflation, low unemployment, and strong fiscal buffers 💰. #SaudiArabia #SaudiBusiness #SaudiEconomy #Vision2030

🚨 Can an oil-rich nation truly lead the electric vehicle revolution? 🚨 Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), plans to invest $39 billion 💰 in the e-mobility sector by 2030, according to Heiko Seitz, PwC’s global e-mobility leader. Speaking at the EV Auto Show Riyadh 🚗⚡, Seitz detailed the PIF's plans: half the investment will go to building an electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem 🏭, a quarter to battery production 🔋, and the rest to parts and chips 🛠️. Seitz noted that while Saudi Arabia is building the industry from scratch 🚀, challenges remain, such as limited vehicle models 🚙 and charging infrastructure 🔌. However, companies like Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co. (EVIQ) are expanding charging networks. EV costs are decreasing 📉, and Seitz expects prices to drop further as more brands enter the market. A PwC survey showed 40% of Saudis are interested in buying electric vehicles within the next three to four years 📆. Seitz praised Saudi Arabia's green energy efforts 🌞, predicting that by 2035, the Kingdom’s mobility will be fully powered by solar energy 🌍⚡, significantly reducing carbon emissions 🌱. #SaudiArabia  #Vision2030  #SaudiInvestments  #SaudiEconomy #SaudiOpportunities  #SaudiBusiness

Riyadh recently hosted the first global International AI Olympiad #IAIO 🦾, featuring participants from 25 countries 🌎. The event, which concluded on Thursday, was organized by the SDAIA | سدايا at GAIN 2024 in partnership with UNESCO and international AI research centers 🤖. This competition highlights Saudi Arabia's growing influence 🌟 in the global AI and data science arena, bringing together top talent 🏅 to tackle AI challenges on an international stage 🚀. Over three days ⏳, participants engaged in both theoretical tests 🧠 and practical problem-solving using AI techniques 🤖. The competition awarded 8 gold 🥇, 16 silver 🥈, and 20 bronze medals 🥉. Teams, consisting of up to four students, competed in scientific assessments, AI demonstrations, and real-world problem-solving experiments. The Olympiad aligns with SDAIA’s mission to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader 🌟 in data and AI and supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 🎯 by raising awareness of AI’s importance and equipping students with essential skills. #AISummit #SADAIA #ArtificialIntelligence #IAIO #GainSummit #SaudiArabia