Saudi Arabia issues 5,963 licenses in metals, gemstone sectors

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce issued 5,963 licenses in precious metals and gemstones sectors since early 2020, a report by Al-Eqtisadia. (Shutterstock)
Short Url
Updated 21 February 2021
Follow

Saudi Arabia issues 5,963 licenses in metals, gemstone sectors

  • The Law of Precious Metals and Gemstones stipulates not to engage in the trade

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce issued 5,963 licenses in precious metals and gemstones sectors since early 2020, a report in Al-Eqtisadiah quoted a ministry spokesman as saying.

Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein said during the current year the ministry issued 60 licenses until mid-February.

The Law of Precious Metals and Gemstones stipulates not to engage in the trade or manufacturing of precious metals and gemstones without a license.

Anyone who trades or manufactures precious metals or gemstones without a license will be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of SR90,000 ($23,997) maximum, or either of these two penalties. Sales outside a store will also be subject to a fine not exceeding SR200,000.


Closing Bell: Saudi stocks slip as Tadawul falls 1% amid broad market weakness

Updated 30 December 2025
Follow

Closing Bell: Saudi stocks slip as Tadawul falls 1% amid broad market weakness

RIYADH: Saudi stocks fell sharply on Tuesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index closing down 108.14 points, or 1.03 percent, at 10,381.51.

The broader decline was reflected across major indices. The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.78 percent to 1,378.00, while Nomu, the parallel market index, fell 1 percent to 23,040.79.

Market breadth was strongly negative on the main board, with 237 stocks falling compared to just 24 gainers. Trading activity remained robust, with 164.7 million shares changing hands and a total traded value of SR3.19 billion ($850.6 million).

Among the gainers, SEDCO Capital REIT Fund led, rising 2.73 percent to SR6.77, followed by Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co., which gained 2.69 percent to SR20.20.

National Medical Care Co. added 1.72 percent to close at SR141.60, while Alyamamah Steel Industries Co. and Thimar Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing Co. advanced 1.57 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively.

Losses were led by Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co., which tumbled 8.36 percent to SR24.65. Raoom Trading Co.fell 6.75 percent to SR64.20, while Alkhaleej Training and Education Co. dropped 6.60 percent to SR18.12 and Naqi Water Co. declined 5.51 percent to SR54.00. Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co. closed 5.44 percent lower at SR3.65.

On the announcement front, Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. signed a multiyear insurance agreement with Saudi Electricity Co. to provide various coverages, expected to positively impact its financial results over the 2025–2026 period. The deal will run for three years and two months and is within the company’s normal course of business.

Meanwhile, Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. announced a one-year health insurance contract with Saudi National Bank, valued at SR330.2 million, covering the bank’s employees and their families from January 2026. Despite the sizable contract, Bupa Arabia shares fell 0.8 percent to close at SR137, weighed down by the broader market weakness.

In contrast, United Cooperative Assurance Co. revealed an extension of its engineering insurance agreement with Saudi Binladin Group for the Grand Mosque expansion in Makkah. The contract value exceeds 20 percent of the company’s gross written premiums based on its latest audited financials and is expected to support results through 2026. However, the stock came under selling pressure, ending the session down 4.51 percent at SR3.39.