RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s central bank is ready for any liquidity squeeze from Saudi Aramco’s initial public offering (IPO) and is closely monitoring local banks, its governor said, after heavy demand for loans to buy the stock.
Aramco’s long-awaited listing on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange is due on Wednesday, completing the largest IPO on record and raising $25.6 billion from retail and institutional buyers who took on debt to back their orders.
“We don’t rule out that there might be squeeze of liquidity later on, that’s why I am ready and stand ready to intervene,” Ahmed Al-Kholifey told Reuters.
Saudis had clamoured to own part of the “crown jewel” of the world’s top oil exporter in the lead up to its IPO, with Aramco’s institutional tranche 6.2 times oversubscribed, while more than 5 million individuals subscribed to a retail tranche.
The Aramco IPO is the centerpiece of the Saudi crown prince’s plans to diversify the economy away from a reliance on oil, as the money will be reinvested by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to promote growth in other sectors.
During the IPO process, the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) at some banks had exceeded a 90% “soft guideline” set by the regulator, but the ratio improved after the allocation process ended, Kholifey said in an interview.
“So far no bank has come to ask for liquidity from the central bank. We are ready to intervene in case there is a squeeze of liquidity but most of the indicators right now are not worrying,” Kholifey added.
MONITORING TEAM
The central bank has set up a team specifically to closely monitor all indicators in the banking system during the IPO process, and it held meetings on a daily basis.
“I don’t think in the near future they will settle, we have to keep monitoring the situation until we see things are normal, especially the LDR,” he said.
Saudi corporates snapped up the biggest percentage of allocations to the Aramco IPO at 37.5% and Saudi government institutions were allocated 13.2% of the institutional tranche, the latest figures issued by the deal’s lead bank showed.
Kholifey said that less than 2% of retail subscriptions were leveraged, and most of the bank financing went to high-net-worth individuals and institutional buyers.
He expects most of the IPO proceeds to be invested locally by the PIF, given that most of subscription were internal.
Riyadh scaled back its original IPO plans, scrapping an international roadshow to focus on marketing Aramco to Saudi investors and Gulf Arab allies. It has remained silent on when or where it might list Aramco stock abroad.
Saudi central bank ready for any Aramco-related liquidity squeeze
https://arab.news/rknwn
Saudi central bank ready for any Aramco-related liquidity squeeze
- Aramco’s long-awaited listing on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange is due on Wednesday
- The central bank has set up a team to closely monitor all indicators in the banking system during the IPO
IsDB announces $2.41bn in new financing for strategic development sectors
JEDDAH: The Islamic Development Bank has approved $2.41 billion in new financing for a series of transformative projects during its 364th Executive Board meeting, chaired by IsDB President Mohammed Al-Jasser.
The approvals underscore the bank’s ongoing commitment to regional cooperation, economic development, and climate- and environment-friendly investments that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals across its member countries.
The new financing includes an additional $40 million for the Central Asia–South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) in Tajikistan, aimed at boosting regional energy trade, improving electricity access and reliability, and mitigating climate change through the export of clean and renewable energy.
The bank also approved €116 million ($135 million) to upgrade Senegal’s Dakar Expressway Project.
The initiative is designed to improve health, education, and economic services for local populations, reduce traffic congestion and peak travel times, and enhance road safety measures to halve traffic-related deaths and injuries, with a particular focus on women and young pedestrians.
A $1.307 billion allocation was approved for Kazakhstan’s Economic and Industrial Zones Project to foster sustainable industrial development.
The initiative is expected to promote economic diversification, attract investment, create jobs, and boost global competitiveness through infrastructure upgrades and operational efficiency in special economic zones, industrial zones, and specialized industrial zones.
Bahrain will receive $330.07 million to expand its industrial capacity and strengthen economic competitiveness. The funding will support the development of modern industrial land with resilient infrastructure, advanced export-oriented manufacturing, effective internal connectivity, and reclaimed land facilities.
The project aims to stimulate private investment, generate employment, and reinforce Bahrain’s position as a regional industrial and logistics hub.
The IsDB approved $160 million to enhance utilities, water, and urban development sectors in Jordan.
The financing will secure future drinking water supply for Aqaba, Amman, and northern regions, support climate adaptation and mitigation, foster economic growth, and promote private sector participation in sustainable, long-term water solutions to alleviate severe water stress.
Azerbaijan was granted $436.67 million to improve agricultural productivity by reducing irrigation water losses and supporting sustainable rural development, in line with Azerbaijan’s 2030 vision.
The project will also promote green growth, strengthen climate resilience, and ensure long-term food security.
The approved projects reflect the IsDB’s strategic focus on fostering sustainable and inclusive growth across member countries by addressing critical infrastructure, energy, water, transport, and industrial development challenges.
These initiatives are expected to deliver lasting impact and contribute effectively to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
