Sustainability among top priorities of Saudi CEOs, IBM study shows

The firm’s annual CEO study surveyed over 60 business chiefs in Saudi Arabia and found that nearly half of the respondents rank sustainability as a top priority for their respective organizations — an increase of 37 percent from 2021.
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Updated 31 May 2022
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Sustainability among top priorities of Saudi CEOs, IBM study shows

RIYADH: Sustainability is rising among Saudi CEOs’ priorities amid a growing recognition of its importance as a business imperative and growth driver, an IBM study showed. 

The firm’s annual CEO study surveyed over 60 business chiefs in Saudi Arabia and found that nearly half of the respondents rank sustainability as a top priority for their respective organizations — an increase of 37 percent from 2021.

Around 62 percent of the respondents said that increasing sustainability is one of their highest priorities for their organization in the next two to three years, which is 14 percent more than the global average surveyed.

“CEOs are leading during one of the most complex environments ever, including war, inflation, talent shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Fahad Alanazi, general manager of IBM Saudi Arabia. 

“Despite these challenges, they aren’t taking their foot off the gas when it comes to sustainability, and now rank it among their top priorities. Sustainability is at the heart of Saudi Vision 2030 as the Kingdom aims to reach net zero by 2060,” he added. 

The study, titled “Own your impact: Practical pathways to transformational sustainability,” is released by the IBM Institute for Business Value. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main market edges up to 10,745 points 

Updated 12 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main market edges up to 10,745 points 

RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Monday, with the Tadawul All Share Index finishing up 135.69 points, or 1.28 percent, at 10,745.45. 

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also advanced, rising 22.21 points, or 1.57 percent, to close at 1,436.31, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index slipped 31.80 points, or 0.13 percent, to 23,586.94. 

Market breadth was positive on the main market, with 216 gainers against 42 decliners, while Nomu saw 42 stocks advancing and 36 declining. 

Trading activity picked up, with 261.7 million shares changing hands, while total turnover reached SR5.10 billion ($1.3 billion). 

Among the top performers, Saudi Fisheries Co. led the gains, closing at SR63.90, up SR5.80, or 9.98 percent. Naseej International Trading Co. rose to SR34.94, gaining SR3.16, or 9.94 percent, while Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co. ended at SR16.74, up SR1.16, or 7.45 percent. 

Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. added 6.84 percent to close at SR2.50, and Alamar Foods Co. climbed 5.75 percent to SR42.70.  

On the losing side, Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co. fell 4.36 percent to SR23.90, while Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. declined 2.82 percent to SR62.05.  

United International Holding Co. slipped 2.36 percent to SR153.40, Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co. dropped 2.09 percent to SR98.60, and United Electronics Co. eased 1.90 percent to SR85.00.  

On the announcement front, Mouwasat Medical Services Co. announced that its board has approved the establishment of a new hospital in Riyadh’s Al-Narjis District, with a planned capacity of 280 beds and a total investment cost of SR900 million.  

The project will be financed through a mix of self-funding and long-term Shariah-compliant bank facilities, with further details on timelines and financial impact to be disclosed at a later stage.  

Shares of Mouwasat Medical Services Co. closed at SR67.95, gaining SR1.40, or 2.10 percent. 

Saudi Arabian Mining Co. reported a net addition of 7.8 million ounces of new gold resources following extensive exploration and drilling activities across multiple sites, alongside the identification of new mineralization opportunities in gold and base metals. 

The company noted that the financial impact of these discoveries has yet to be determined and will be assessed in due course.  

Shares of Saudi Arabian Mining Co. closed at SR67.50, up SR3.05, or 4.73 percent.