Remittances from Saudi Arabia surge as expats help families in lockdown

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Updated 04 December 2020
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Remittances from Saudi Arabia surge as expats help families in lockdown

  • Foreign workers defy World Bank forecasts by sending home $32.9bn in first 10 months of year, an 18.58% rise on 2019

RIYADH: Expats in Saudi Arabia sent SR123.4 billion ($32.9 billion) in remittances to their home countries in the first 10 months of this year, a rise of 18.58 percent compared with 2019.

The surge in payments came as foreign workers in the Kingdom looked to support their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

The growth is despite forecasts from the World Bank in April estimating that remittances to low- and middle-income countries would decline by 19.6 percent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region this year as workers struggled to cope with the impact of the global health crisis.

Expat workers make up three-quarters of the 13.6 million workers in the Kingdom, with most coming from countries such as Syria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Figures from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) showed that while remittances by expats in the Kingdom rose by 18.58 percent year-on-year between January and October, the biggest spike was in June when the monthly amount surged 60 percent compared with June 2019.

July also witnessed a rise of 32 percent, while August, September, and October saw monthly levels increase 24.7 percent, 28.5 percent, and 19.2 percent, respectively, compared with the equivalent months last year.

Mazen Al-Sudairi, head of research at Riyadh-based financial services company Al Rajhi Capital, told Arab News: “Debt to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio in emerging economies has increased up to 70 percent recently, and the unemployment rate led by COVID-19 has also increased in countries such as India and the Philippines, which are the countries forming the majority of the expat population in the Kingdom.

“Therefore, we believe that increased remittances are due to rising unemployment and difficult economic conditions back in the home countries of expats.”

He said another reason why expats may have been sending more funds home was because their surplus income had increased as a result of being unable to travel or spend as much as normal due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“Once the unemployment risks recede for expats in KSA, as well as in home countries, this level should normalize in our view,” Al-Sudairi added.

While the expats’ remittances increased in the 10-month period, the relative amount sent abroad by Saudi nationals declined by 17.5 percent to $12.58 billion during the same period, compared with $10.38 billion between January and October 2019.

Coronavirus travel restrictions were introduced in the Kingdom in March, leading to a 41.7 percent drop in funds transferred overseas by Saudi nationals in April compared with the same month last year. While domestic travel resumed in late May, funds sent overseas by Saudi nationals still fell 52 percent that month compared with May 2019.

FASTFACT

13.6 million

Expat workers make up three-quarters of the 13.6 million workers in the Kingdom.

Remittances briefly spiked by 17 percent in June, before reducing to declines again for the remainder of the year.

Al-Sudairi said that the drop in Saudis forwarding money out of the country was also due to the pandemic and travel restrictions.

“This affected tourism and medical treatment-related remittances. Even the business-related remittances were impacted in the earlier months of lockdown due to negative confidence.”

He added that he was “expecting the trend to be better next year” once international travel resumed.

The World Bank, despite its pessimistic outline in April, also predicted that remittances would recover in 2021 and rise by 5.6 percent globally and 1.6 percent in the MENA region.

In a statement issued in April, Michal Rutkowski, global director of the World Bank’s social protection and jobs global practice, said: “Effective social protection systems are crucial to safeguarding the poor and vulnerable during this crisis in both developing countries as well as advanced countries.

“In host countries, social protection interventions should also support migrant populations,” he added.


Saudi Arabia closes April sukuk issuance at $1.97bn

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Saudi Arabia closes April sukuk issuance at $1.97bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has completed its riyal-denominated sukuk issuance for April at SR7.39 billion ($1.97 billion), representing a rise of 66.44 percent compared to the previous month. 

The National Debt Management Center revealed that the Shariah-compliant debt product was divided into three tranches. 

The first tranche, valued at SR2.35 billion, is set to mature in 2029, while the second one amounting to SR1.64 billion is due in 2031. 

The third tranche totaled SR3.51 billion and will mature in 2036. 

“The Kingdom also plans to expand funding activities during the year 2024, reaching up to a total of SR138 billion from what has been stated previously in the Annual Borrowing Plan, with a portion of this amount already covered up to date,” said NDMC in a press statement. 

It added: “This step comes with the aim of capitalizing on market opportunities to achieve proactive financing for the coming year and utilizing it to bolster the state’s general reserves or seize additional opportunities to enhance transformative spending during this year, thereby accelerating strategic projects and programs of Saudi Vision 2030.” 

In March, NDMC concluded its second government sukuk savings round for March, with a total volume of requests reaching SR959 million, allocated to 37,000 applicants. 

The center added that the financial product, also known as Sah, offers a return of 5.64 percent, with a maturity date in March 2025. 

Earlier this month, Fitch Ratings, in a report, said that global sukuk issuance is expected to continue growing in the coming months of this year, driven by funding and refinancing demands. 

The credit rating agency noted that various other factors like economic diversification efforts by countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and development of the debt capital market will also propel the growth of the market in the future. 

In January, another report released by S&P Global revealed that sukuk issuance worldwide is expected to total between $160 billion and $170 billion in 2024, driven by higher financing needs in Islamic nations.

The report noted that higher financing needs in some core Islamic finance countries and easing liquidity conditions across the world are two crucial factors which will drive the growth of the market this year. 


Closing Bell: TASI edges down to close at 12,355 points 

Updated 3 min 9 sec ago
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Closing Bell: TASI edges down to close at 12,355 points 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 128.72 points, or 1.03 percent, to close at 12,355.69.    

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR8.45 billion ($2.25 billion) as 41 of the listed stocks advanced, while 187 retreated.   

Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 14.78 points, or 0.95 percent, to close at 1,548.62. 

Also, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dipped, losing 365.84 points, or 1.37 percent, to close at 26,326.12. This comes as 17 of the listed stocks advanced, while 45 retreated. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance as its share price surged by 9.87 percent to SR138.

Other top performers include Al Sagr Cooperative Insurance Co. and First Milling Co., whose share prices soared by 6.38 percent and 5.63 percent, to stand at SR35.85 and SR78.80, respectively. 

In addition to this, other top performers included Batic Investments and Logistics Co. and Saudi Research and Media Group. 

The worst performer was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price dropped by 7.14 percent to SR0.13. 

Other weak performers were National Co. for Learning and Education as well as Arriyadh Development Co., whose share prices dropped by 5.95 percent and 5.91 percent to stand at SR148.60 and SR22.60, respectively. 

Moreover, other subdued performers also include Red Sea International Co. and AYYAN Investment Co. 

On the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu, the best-performing stock of the day was Osool and Bakheet Investment Co., as its share price surged by 12.05 percent to SR40.90. 

Other top performers on Nomu include Arabian Plastic Industrial Co. and Lana Medical Co., with their share prices soaring by 7.42 percent and 3.59 percent, respectively, reaching SR37.65 and SR41.85. 

The worst performer was Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology, whose share price dropped by 5.88 percent to SR32.

Other weak performers were Alhasoob Co. as well as Aqaseem Factory for Chemicals and Plastics Co., whose share prices dropped by 3.61 percent and 3.38 percent to stand at SR64.10 and SR62.80, respectively. 

On the announcements front, HSBC Saudi Arabia, serving as sole financial advisor, joint bookrunner, underwriter, and lead manager, has announced the intention of Dr. Soliman Abdel Kader Fakeeh Hospital Co., known as Fakeeh Care Group, to proceed with its initial public offering on the main market of Saudi Exchange. 

According to a statement, the offering will include 49.8 million ordinary shares, with 19.8 million existing shares and 30 million new shares upon completion.  

This offering is set to represent 21.47 percent of the company's share capital post-capital increase.  

Saudi Exchange and the Capital Market Authority approved the listing and IPO, respectively, with the pricing of shares to be determined after the book-building period. 


Ministry tenders contract for expansion of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium

Updated 8 min 58 sec ago
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Ministry tenders contract for expansion of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ministry has tendered a contract to boost the capacity of Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to 45,000 seats up from its current 22,188.

The expansion project comes as the Kingdom prepares to host the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in 2027, reported MEED. 

This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s plan to build sports stadiums under its SR10.1 billion ($2.7 billion) capital projects program. 

The ministry requested proposals on April 8 and expects to receive bids on June 14.

In April, the ministry also tendered an early works contract for the expansion and development of the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

At the time, the scope of the contract included the stadium’s decommissioning, demolition, and bulk excavation, as well as the relocation and setting up of related facilities.  

In July 2023, the ministry invited firms to submit pre-qualification documents for the main construction contracts for the schemes in the capital projects program. 

The undertakings, which are set for completion before the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, entail increasing the capacity of King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh to 92,000 seats and boosting the seating capacity of Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium to 30,000 seats. 

It also includes increasing the seating capacity of the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Kahir to 45,000 and building a sustainable New Riyadh Stadium north of the city with 45,000 seats.

Another main element of the ministry’s projects program is the construction of as many as 30 new training grounds and facilities in proximity to the stadiums that will be used for the 2027 competition. 

Construction on the projects is expected to start in July 2024 and scheduled to be completed by December 2025.

A total of 18 facilities will be ready in time for the 2026 AFC Women’s Cup. 


PIF-owned ROSHN expands in Eastern Province with new residential project

Updated 29 min 4 sec ago
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PIF-owned ROSHN expands in Eastern Province with new residential project

RIYADH: Saudi developer ROSHN Group has launched its first integrated community, ALDANAH, in the economic hub of Greater Dammam, featuring over 2,500 homes spread across 1.7 million sq. m. 

The development, the second in the Eastern Province by the Public Investment Fund-owned giga-project, will cater to nearly 10,000 inhabitants who will benefit from exemplary energy conservation, including modern insulation, according to a press release. 

ROSHN highlighted that the project is strategically located in the heart of Greater Dammam, at the meeting point of Dammam, Dhahran, and Al Khobar. It’s conveniently situated next to King Abdulaziz Road and is just a 20-minute drive from King Fahd International Airport. 

The project will feature several amenities for residents, including a city experience center, a district mall, and three neighborhood retail centers. It will also include a primary healthcare center, mosques, and six schools, all reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage, the release added. 

The company also mentioned that the range of residences will offer a diverse selection of homes suitable for every family, including duplexes and villas tailored specifically for ROSHN’s latest community. 


Industrial private sector investments in Saudi Arabia more than double to reach $1.8bn

Updated 52 min 11 sec ago
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Industrial private sector investments in Saudi Arabia more than double to reach $1.8bn

RIYADH: Private sector investments in Saudi Arabia’s industrial field more than doubled in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing SR7 billion ($1.8 billion), according to official data. 

This marks a significant increase from the SR3.34 billion recorded during the first quarter of 2023, according to a report released by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as MODON.  

The report revealed a substantial rise in the number of constructed factories, reaching 6,683 in the first three months of 2024 compared to 5,894 in the same period last year. 

Moreover, the total number of logistics contracts surged to 367, up from 223 in the first quarter of 2023.  

The report also highlighted a significant growth in industrial contracts, with 276 agreements issued by end of March, nearly doubling the figures from the first three months of 2023.  

Jeddah Third Industrial City led in contract issuance with 76 agreements, followed by Al Kharj Industrial City with 47. Sudair Industrial and Business City recorded 20 contracts, while Dammam Third Industrial City and Dammam Second Industrial City had 18 and 16 agreements, respectively. 

Furthermore, the total regulatory visits conducted in industrial cities during the first quarter amounted to 1,867, underscoring MODON's rigorous oversight.  

In terms of sectoral distribution, food industries secured the highest number of contracts in the first quarter of 2024, constituting 24 percent of the total. They were followed by mining at 12 percent, rubber products industries at 12 percent, chemicals at 8 percent, and electrical equipment at 7 percent. 

Additionally, the number of food factories operating in the Kingdom reached 1,300, indicating the country’s expanded capacity in the sector. This underscores its commitment to the “Food Industry Localization” initiative, aimed at enhancing productivity, local production, and quality. 

These figures come as MODON prepares to engage as a strategic partner in the inaugural Saudi Food Manufacturing Show.   

Scheduled from April 30 to May 2, at Riyadh Front, the event will be under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef.  

MODON plans to showcase its products, services, and comprehensive solutions for the food industry at the show, targeting investors, small and medium enterprises, and entrepreneurs.   

This effort is aligned with MODON’s role in the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, aimed at fostering sustainable growth and enhancing value chains.  

The show is expected to host 500 participants from around the globe, including ministers, officials, and industry leaders, as well as CEOs, investors, and experts.

It will feature discussion panels, workshops, and exhibitions, providing a vital platform for displaying the latest in services, products, and solutions for the food industry and its supportive sectors.