Australia may be famous for many things — its movie stars such as Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and pop icon Kylie Minogue but its greatest export is a culinary one — the quality of its delicious halal meat.
With around 16 percent of Australia’s beef exports to the Middle East and North African region destined to the Kingdom and a surge in demand for high-quality grain-fed beef and wagyu, it seems Saudi Arabia does not get enough of this premium product.
The Kingdom is also the largest destination for Australian mutton in the region, accounting for 27 percent of shipments.
Tarek Ibrahim, celebrity chef and star of Fatafeat TV, says: “As one of the world’s greatest food-producing nations, Australia deserves and enjoys a reputation for excellence so it comes as no surprise that Australia produces some of the world’s greatest meat.”
Tarek Ibrahim adds: “When talking about meat, for me it has to be Australian. It’s the only country in the world where I truly trust the halal and food safety systems. It’s utterly delicious and a dream to cook with for anyone from a top executive chef to the home cook.”
Ibrahim said: “Australians are renowned for their ‘barbies’ and what better way to celebrate Australia Day than to relax with family and friends over a delicious barbecue. Surf between flavors and textures; for example, if you like steak that has a light and gentle flavor choose grain-fed beef and for a deeper flavor go for the grass-fed selection.”
He added: “The hand test can give you a good sense of how hot the grill or barbecue plate is. Hold your outstretched palm about 6cm from the heat. If you can only hold it above the heat for around a second it means it’s too hot. If you can hold your hand above the heat for three-four seconds it’s at a moderately high temperature, which is perfect for barbecuing. Any longer, say eight seconds, then the heat is too low. The barbecue should be hot enough to sizzle the meat as it makes contact with the plate or grill.”
Halal meat is Australia’s greatest export
Halal meat is Australia’s greatest export
Saudi stock market opens its doors to foreign investors
RIYADH: Foreigners will be able to invest directly in Saudi Arabia’s stock market from Feb. 1, the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority has announced.
The CMA’s board has approved a regulatory change which will mean the capital market, across all its segments, will be accessible to investors from around the world for direct participation.
According to a statement, the approved amendments aim to expand and diversify the base of those permitted to invest in the Main Market, thereby supporting investment inflows and enhancing market liquidity.
International investors' ownership in the capital market exceeded SR590 billion ($157.32 billion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025, while international investments in the main market reached approximately SR519 billion during the same period — an annual rise of 4 percent.
“The approved amendments eliminated the concept of the Qualified Foreign Investor in the Main Market, thereby allowing all categories of foreign investors to access the market without the need to meet qualification requirements,” said the CMA, adding: “It also eliminated the regulatory framework governing swap agreements, which were used as an option to enable non-resident foreign investors to obtain economic benefits only from listed securities, and the allowance of direct investment in shares listed on the Main Market.”
In July, the CMA approved measures to simplify the procedures for opening and operating investment accounts for certain categories of investors. These included natural foreign investors residing in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as those who had previously resided in the Kingdom or in any GCC country.
This step represented an interim phase leading up to the decision announced today, with the aim of increasing confidence among participants in the Main Market and supporting the local economy.
Saudi Arabia, which is more than halfway through an economic plan to reduce its dependence on oil, has been trying to attract foreign investors, including by establishing exchange-traded funds with Asian partners in Japan and Hong Kong.
