Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 

Improved visibility on the medium-term trajectory of interest rates has boosted foreign currency-denominated sukuk issuance, according to the report.
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Updated 16 July 2024
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Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 

RIYADH: Global sukuk issuances reached $91.9 billion in the first half of 2024, marking a marginal year-on-year increase of 0.87 percent, driven by issuers from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

According to the latest report from S&P Global, foreign currency issuances reached $32.7 billion in the first six months of 2024, marking a 23.8 percent surge compared to the same period the previous year.  

The credit rating agency highlighted that improved visibility on the medium-term trajectory of interest rates has boosted foreign currency-denominated sukuk issuance. 

A sukuk is an Islamic financial certificate that represents ownership of an asset and complies with Shariah law, distinguishing it from conventional bonds. 

Saudi Arabia has strategically expanded its sukuk issuance to diversify financing sources and promote Islamic finance within its economy, supporting infrastructure and economic development while attracting global investors seeking Shariah-compliant opportunities. 

“High financing needs in core Islamic finance countries, stable rates, and improved clarity on the future path of rate cuts explain the continued increase in foreign currency-denominated issuances,” stated S&P Global. 

Its findings follow a recent report by Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, indicating significant growth in the Kingdom’s sukuk and debt capital market since 2019, exceeding SR30 billion, and achieving an annual growth rate of 7.9 percent. 

Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center reported completing the issuance of a riyal-denominated Islamic bond for June totaling SR4.4 billion. The Kingdom had issued sukuk amounting to SR3.23 billion in May, SR7.39 billion in April, and SR4.4 billion in March. 

Global forecast  

Meanwhile, S&P Global has maintained its global sukuk issuance forecast at around $160 billion to $170 billion, buoyed by strong market performance in the first half of 2024. 

The US-based firm emphasized that the Islamic bond market’s steady growth will be propelled by economic diversification initiatives in countries such as Saudi Arabia, as well as the robust expansion of the non-oil sectors in the UAE. 

The report also underscored contributions to the sukuk market’s growth from countries like Oman, Malaysia, and Kuwait. 

It added that geopolitical risks are not expected to adversely impact the issuances of these Shariah-compliant debt products globally. 

“Geopolitical risk has not yet dragged on issuance but could pose some downside risk, though, under our base-case scenario, we do not expect significant disruption,” said the agency.  

S&P noted that the adoption of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions’ Sharia Standard 62 might lower issuance volumes in the medium term if it significantly changes the nature and risk profile of sukuk instruments. 

In late 2023, the AAOIFI released its exposure draft of Sharia Standard 62 on sukuk, delaying the industry feedback deadline twice, with the final extension set to July 31, 2024, from March 31, 2024. 

According to the credit rating agency, the proposed draft could potentially alter the nature of the sukuk market and lead to increased fragmentation.  

The guidelines cover Shariah requirements for issuances, asset backing, and ownership transfer. They also address investment structures, financing mechanisms, and trading and settlement procedures. 

“A key requirement of the standard is that the ownership and risks related to the underlying assets are to be transferred to sukuk holders. As such, the market will shift from structures where the contractual obligations of sukuk sponsors underpin the repayment to structures where the underlying assets have a more prominent role,” said S&P Global.  

The report further noted that the adoption of these proposed standards could make these Islamic bonds more expensive than conventional issuances.  

It added: “However, it is difficult to anticipate the appetite for such instruments from both investors and issuers, as well as the legality of moving assets off their balance sheets, given the current market structure. This could either lead to further market fragmentation or worse, issuance could be put on hold until sukuk structures figure out a middle ground.”  

The report, however, added that the adoption of the AAOIFI’s Standard 62 guidelines is unlikely to disrupt existing sukuk, since any changes in contractual obligations are subject to investors’ consent.  

Local issuances  

Despite the growth of foreign issuances, local currency-denominated issuances witnessed a decline of 8.8 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023. 

S&P Global noted that this downturn was driven by the drop in local currency issuances in countries like Turkiye, the UAE, and Pakistan.  

“The largest drop of local currency issuances was in Turkiye, where monetary tightening combined with better fiscal policy coordination continues to help rebalance the economy,” said the report.  

It added: “In the UAE, the decline can be explained by lower local-currency denominated issuance by the Federal Government and other authorities. For Pakistan, the issue might be related to a lack of data on issuances in the first half of 2024.”  

On a positive note, the report underscored the growth of Saudi Arabia’s local currency issuance.  

“We have observed that local currency issuance in Saudi Arabia has resumed its growing trend. The government has tapped the market with jumbo issuances and has also started to issue retail sukuk,” added S&P Global.  

On the other hand, financing needs in core Islamic finance countries, stable rates, and improved clarity on the future path of rate cuts drove the continued increase in foreign currency-denominated issuances.  

“We have seen a high issuance volume in Saudi where the government and banks continue to tap into the market to finance various projects related to the economic transformation plan. We now expect the Saudi banking system to shift to a moderate net external debt position in the next few months,” said the report.  

S&P Global added that countries like the UAE, Malaysia, Kuwait and Qatar also witnessed a rise in foreign currency-denominated issuances during the first half of this year.  

Sustainable sukuk  

According to the analysis, the total volume of sustainable sukuk issuance reached $5.2 billion during the first half of 2024, down from $5.7 billion during the same period last year.  

The credit rating agency projected that the volume of these green bonds is expected to hover around $10 billion to $12 billion, barring any significant acceleration in the implementation of net-zero policies by key Islamic finance countries or regulatory actions. 

Sustainable sukuk is a Shariah-compliant financial tool wherein issuers utilize the proceeds solely to finance investments in renewable energy or other environmental assets. 

The report also highlighted that 80 percent of sustainability issuance in the first six months of 2024 came from banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council region as they started pursuing their climate transition journey.  

In May, another analysis by Fitch Ratings projected that the global sukuk market linked to environmental, social, and governance principles is expected to exceed $50 billion in the next two years.  

The credit rating agency noted that the projected growth of the market is driven by new ESG mandates, regulatory frameworks, and government-led sustainability initiatives. 

Fitch also revealed that the GCC debt capital market has reached $940 billion in outstanding sukuk and is steadily approaching the $1 trillion mark. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,956

Updated 27 July 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,956

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Sunday, gaining 10.42 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 10,956.22.

Total trading turnover of the benchmark index reached SR3.46 billion ($924 million), with 145 stocks advancing and 97 declining.

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu climbed 92.76 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 26,991.01, as 47 stocks advanced while 39 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index also posted gains, adding 1.89 points, or 0.13 percent, to finish at 1,409.96.

The top performer of the day was Tourism Enterprise Co., with its share price surging 9.91 percent to close at SR1.22.

Other notable gainers included BAAN Holding Group Co., which rose 9.63 percent to SR2.39, and Raydan Food Co., which advanced 6.67 percent to SR14.24.

On the downside, Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co. recorded the biggest loss, falling 4.11 percent to SR18.20. 

Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. dropped 3.03 percent to SR29.46, while Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Co. declined 2.84 percent to SR266.40.

In corporate disclosures, the National Agricultural Development Co. reported its consolidated financial results for the six-month period ending June 30. According to a Tadawul statement, the company posted a net profit of SR218.6 million, up 2.5 percent year on year. 

The increase was attributed to higher revenue and treasury income, along with changes in cost of sales, selling and marketing expenses, impairment losses, financing costs, and other income and expenses.

NADEC shares ended the session at SR21.02, down 0.81 percent.

Meanwhile, Yanbu National Petrochemical Co. announced a net profit of SR58.2 million for the first half of the year, marking an 82 percent year-on-year decline.

The drop was primarily due to lower average selling prices across all products and higher input costs, despite increased sales volumes and stable operational performance.

Yanbu shares rose 2.88 percent, closing at SR29.42.

Sabic Agri-Nutrients Co. also released its interim financial results, reporting a net profit of SR2.04 billion for the first half of the year, reflecting a 32.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. 

The growth was driven by a 22 percent rise in sales, along with an increase in share of results from associates and joint ventures.

However, the rise was partially offset by higher costs of goods sold, mainly due to increased feedstock prices.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. shares closed at SR117, up 2.15 percent.


GCC economy grows 1.5% to $588bn in Q4 2024 on non-oil expansion

Updated 27 July 2025
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GCC economy grows 1.5% to $588bn in Q4 2024 on non-oil expansion

  • Qatar recorded the highest real GDP growth at 4.5%
  • UAE followed at 3.6% and Saudi Arabia at 2.8%

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council’s economy grew 1.5 percent year on year in the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching $587.8 billion, driven by a surge in non-oil activity, official data showed. 

According to the GCC Statistical Center, the increase from $579 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 highlights the region’s ongoing shift toward diversification, with non-oil sectors contributing 77.9 percent of total output, while oil accounted for 22.1 percent. 

Among non-oil sectors, manufacturing contributed 12.5 percent, wholesale and retail trade 9.9 percent, construction 8.3 percent, and public administration and defense 7.5 percent. Finance and insurance made up 7 percent, real estate 5.7 percent, and other activities a combined 27 percent. 

The region’s economic shift is driven by national reform plans, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s Economic Vision 2030, Oman’s Vision 2040, and Qatar’s National Vision 2030, aimed at reducing reliance on oil by expanding sectors like tourism, logistics, finance, and technology, and boosting private sector and foreign investment. 

The statistical center said: “This report on the quarterly GDP estimates in the GCC countries is issued based on the data made available by the member states, with a reference of May 2025.” 

At the real GDP level, the GCC economy grew 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, with non-oil GDP expanding by 3.7 percent, while oil GDP contracted by 0.9 percent, reflecting voluntary OPEC+ production cuts. 

Among member states, Qatar recorded the highest real GDP growth at 4.5 percent, followed by the UAE at 3.6 percent and Saudi Arabia at 2.8 percent, the report showed. 

The region also maintained stable price levels, with overall inflation averaging 2.1 percent across the bloc during the quarter. Qatar and Oman registered the lowest inflation rates at 1.1 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, while Bahrain recorded the highest at 3.3 percent. 

In its latest update, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, raised its 2025 GCC growth forecast to 4.4 percent, up from a prior estimate of 4 percent, citing stronger oil output and resilient non-oil sector activity. 

The International Monetary Fund projects the GCC economy to expand by 3 percent in 2025, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and supported by sustained infrastructure investment and policy reforms. 


Jeddah port receives LNG-powered MV BYD HEFEI 

Updated 27 July 2025
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Jeddah port receives LNG-powered MV BYD HEFEI 

RIYADH: Jeddah Islamic Port has received the motor vessel BYD HEFEI, a dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off carrier with a 7,000-unit capacity for vehicles and heavy equipment. 

The vessel’s arrival at the Red Sea Gateway Terminal reflects the port’s readiness to handle next-generation maritime traffic and supports the Kingdom’s broader push to enhance supply chain efficiency under Vision 2030. 

Operated at the RSGT — Saudi Arabia’s first Build-Operate-Transfer terminal, partly owned by the Public Investment Fund and global logistics firm DP World — the MV BYD HEFEI highlights the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to modernize terminals and advance sustainability initiatives.

The ship is powered by eco-friendly dual-fuel technology and is designed to meet the latest environmental and operational efficiency standards. 

“This reflects the port’s readiness to accommodate various types of vessels and highlights its advanced operational capabilities,” according to the Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani. 

Strategically positioned near global shipping lanes, Jeddah Islamic Port handles over 65 percent of Saudi Arabia’s seaborne imports, playing a central role in the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. 

The integration of liquefied natural gas-powered vessels aligns with the NTLS goals and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aim to reduce emissions and promote clean energy in the transportation sector. 

As ports across the UAE, Oman, and major global hubs like Singapore and Rotterdam invest in similar capabilities, Jeddah’s adoption of dual-fuel infrastructure bolsters its regional competitiveness and positions it firmly in the worldwide shift toward sustainable maritime logistics. 

As part of its strategic efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity and diversify trade routes, Mawani has significantly expanded shipping services at Jeddah Islamic Port in 2025. 

Among the newly added services is FRS1, operated by CSTAR LINE, which connects Jeddah to Chinese ports — Ningbo, Shanghai, and Nansha — as well as Aqaba in Jordan and Ain Sokhna in Egypt, with a capacity of up to 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units. 

In addition, the LRX service by CMA CGM began operations in July, linking Jeddah with key ports in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean, including Latakia, Iskenderun, Mersin, and Beirut, with a TEU capacity of 2,826. 

Earlier in the year, the IM2 service, jointly operated by Emirates Line and Wan Hai, was introduced, connecting Jeddah to Mundra, Alexandria, and Mersin, with capacity for 2,800 TEUs. 

Sea Lead launched its RESIN service in June 2025, facilitating trade between Jeddah and Nhava Sheva, Ain Sokhna, Djibouti, and Jebel Ali, with a handling capacity of 1,000 TEUs. 

Meanwhile, CMA CGM’s MEDEX service now connects Jeddah to 12 ports across the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe, including Abu Dhabi, Karachi, Colombo, and Piraeus, as well as Malta, Genoa, Fos, Barcelona, and Valencia. 

These service expansions underscore Jeddah Islamic Port’s role as a growing transshipment and trade hub. 

In 2024, the terminal, considered the busiest on the Red Sea and a critical gateway for Saudi Arabia’s trade, handled 5.58 million containers, marking a 12.6 percent year-over-year increase and positioning it 32nd globally by container volume. 


Saudi Arabia sees record 144% rise in new mining exploration licenses in H1

Updated 27 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia sees record 144% rise in new mining exploration licenses in H1

  • Total volume of investments in licenses exceeds SR134 million
  • Total number of mining and small-mine exploitation licenses currently active stands at 239

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia issued a record number of new mining exploration licenses in the first half of 2025, marking a 144 percent year-on-year rise, official data showed. 

A total of 22 licenses were issued during the period, up from just nine in the same period last year, reflecting growing investor interest and the government’s push to build a more competitive and attractive mining sector, according to a statement from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. 

The rise aligns with the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s mining industry, a central pillar in its Vision 2030 diversification strategy. Saudi Arabia aims to increase the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product from $17 billion to $75 billion by 2035. The effort is backed by plans to accelerate exploration and development of the Kingdom’s estimated mineral wealth, valued at over SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion). 

“The official spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah, explained that the number of companies investing in the new mining exploitation licenses issued during the first half of this year reached 23 mining companies, including 16 companies obtaining mining licenses for the first time,” the ministry said.

It added: “The total volume of investments in these licenses exceeds SR134 million, and they cover an area of 47 sq. km.” 

The ministry’s spokesperson said the projects covered by these licenses are expected to produce approximately 7.86 million tonnes annually of various mineral ores, including salt, clay, silica sand, low-grade iron ore, feldspar, and gypsum. 

Al-Jarrah also said the total number of mining and small-mine exploitation licenses currently active in the Kingdom stands at 239. These include 32 Category A licenses for strategic minerals such as gold, copper, phosphate, and bauxite, and 207 Category B licenses for industrial minerals, including silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay. 

Earlier in July, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Mudaifer told Asharq Business that the Kingdom’s mining reforms have helped attract $32 billion in investments across projects involving iron, phosphate, aluminum, and copper. He added that this accounts for nearly one-third of Saudi Arabia’s target to attract $100 billion in mining investments by 2030. 

The vice minister said mineral exploration spending in the Kingdom has quadrupled since 2018, reaching $100 per sq. km, with an annual growth rate of 32 percent, significantly above the global average of 6 to 8 percent. 

Al-Mudaifer also said mineral exploration spending in the Kingdom has quadrupled since 2018, now reaching $100 per sq. km — an annual growth rate of 32 percent, significantly outpacing the global average of 6 to 8 percent. 


Saudi Arabia taps French bank to expand local debt market

Updated 27 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia taps French bank to expand local debt market

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Finance and the National Debt Management Center have signed an agreement appointing France’s Societe Generale as a primary dealer for the Kingdom’s local debt instruments, according to an official statement.

Societe Generale will join five other international institutions already operating as primary dealers, namely BNP Paribas, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs, as well as J.P. Morgan, and Standard Chartered Bank.

As part of ongoing efforts to deepen and diversify its domestic debt market under Vision 2030, the Ministry of Finance and the NDMC have taken new steps to strengthen the role of international and local institutions in supporting sukuk and bond issuance.

“This agreement fits within the Financial Sector Development Program strategy as a step toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening financial sector institutions and advancing the financial market,” NDMC stated.

The NDMC stated that the deal reaffirms its role in enhancing access to local debt markets by diversifying the investor base. This approach aims to ensure sustainable access to the secondary market and support its growth.

“It is noteworthy that applications for subscription in the primary market for the government's local debt instruments are submitted to the NDMC through the appointed primary dealers on a scheduled monthly basis where these dealers receive the applications submitted by investors,” the statement said.

The French bank will also be added to the list of 10 local institutions participating in the program, including Saudi National Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank, and AlJazira Bank, as well as Alinma Bank, AlRajhi Bank, Albilad Capital, AlJazira Capital, AlRajhi Capital, Derayah Financial Co., and Saudi Fransi Capital.

The Kingdom’s sukuk market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, underpinned by its strategic role in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plans. In the first quarter of 2025, corporate bond and sukuk issuance more than doubled to $37 billion, up from $15.5 billion in the same period of 2020.

Saudi Arabia accounted for more than 60 percent of all sukuk and bond issuance across the Gulf Cooperation Council during that period, according to the Kuwait Financial Center, also known as Markaz.

The NDMC surpassed the $1 billion threshold with its May sukuk issuance, raising SR4.08 billion ($1.08 billion)—a 9.09 percent increase from April and a 54.5 percent rise compared to March’s SR2.64 billion.

In June, the NDMC raised SR2.355 billion, marking a decline from May but demonstrating typical monthly funding fluctuations.

The July issuance rebounded sharply to SR5.02 billion, an increase of 113.6 percent month on month. That issuance was split into tranches maturing in 2029, 2032, 2036, and 2039.

According to S&P Global, the Kingdom’s domestic debt markets are expected to expand further amid Vision 2030 reforms, with sovereign and corporate issuance at 20.7 percent of gross domestic product and corporate debt alone rising from 1.9 percent in 2020 to 3.4  percent in early 2025.