Saudi Arabia launches 6th round of ‘Sah’ savings

This initiative, which began on Aug. 4 and will continue until Aug. 6, aims to bolster financial stability and encourage saving among Saudi citizens. File
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Updated 04 August 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches 6th round of ‘Sah’ savings

  • Initiative aims to bolster financial stability and encourage saving among Saudi citizens
  • Sah product offers attractive returns aligned with prevailing market rates

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched the sixth round of its subscription-based savings product, Sah, for August, offering an appealing return of 5.48 percent.

This initiative, which began on Aug. 4 and will continue until Aug. 6, aims to bolster financial stability and encourage saving among Saudi citizens.

Sah, a Shariah-compliant sukuk, is managed by the National Debt Management Center and issued by the Ministry of Finance. The product is designed to be low-risk and fee-free, making it accessible through the digital channels of approved financial institutions. This latest round of Sah is part of a broader effort to foster a culture of saving by encouraging individuals to regularly set aside a portion of their income.

The sukuk aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s Financial Sector Development Program, which seeks to raise the national savings rate from its current level of 6 percent to an international benchmark of 10 percent by 2030. By offering an easy and structured way for Saudis to invest, Sah supports this ambitious goal.

Subscriptions for Sah start with a minimum amount of SR1,000 ($266.39), which is the value of one bond. The maximum subscription limit is set at SR200,000, allowing individuals to purchase up to 200 bonds during this subscription period.

Through this approach, the program aims to make savings more attractive and accessible to a broad segment of the population, further promoting financial growth and stability across the nation.

The Sah product is available to Saudi nationals aged 18 and above who open an account with SNB Capital, Aljazira Capital, or Alinma Investment. SAB Invest and Al Rajhi Capital are also eligible options.   

It offers attractive returns aligned with prevailing market rates, leveraging government backing to ensure it remains a low-risk financial instrument.   

Participants can redeem their investments according to the published annual calendar; however, early withdrawals forfeit accrued returns and profits.   

In February, Hani Al-Medaini, CEO of the National Debt Management Center, highlighted that the sukuk aims to foster private-sector collaboration. Future initiatives include developing and launching tailored savings products for various individual categories through banks, fund managers, financial technology companies, and others. 

“I believe that issuing Sah is a great financial initiative led by the Saudi government to encourage people to save and enhance financial inclusion in the Kingdom. This initiative entitles everyone to access financial products and services that meet their needs, such as having a bank account or savings product like Sah,” Al-Madini said at the time. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,452

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,452

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 137.26 points, or 1.30 percent, to close at 10,452.91.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.61 billion ($964.2 million), as 25 of the listed stocks advanced, while 235 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 16.79 points or 1.21 percent, to close at 1,374.55.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 246.13 points, or 1.04 percent, to close at 23,470.28. This comes as 23 of the listed stocks advanced, while 51 retreated.

The best-performing stock was AlAhli REIT Fund 1, with its share price surging by 4.15 percent to SR6.52.

Other top performers included Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co., which saw its share price rise by 3.47 percent to SR15.80, and Arabian Drilling Co., which saw a 1.53 percent increase to SR96.35.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co., whose share price fell by 5.40 percent to SR20.66.

Sport Clubs Co. and Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 5.10 percent and 4.76 percent to SR8.75 and SR7, respectively.

On the announcements front, Saudi Arabia Refineries Co. has formally established its new subsidiary, Clean Energy Co., announcing the completion of its articles of association and commercial registration.

The wholly owned limited liability company, headquartered in Bish City, is slated to operate in the critical sectors of metal mining, organic chemical manufacturing, and the production of primary gases, including liquid and compressed air. 

According to the official announcement on Tadawul, the subsidiary will commence operations after finalizing all remaining incorporation requirements, which encompass administrative and technical arrangements as well as securing the necessary operational licenses. 

The move marks a strategic expansion for the parent company into the industrial and clean energy supply chain. Sarco’s shares traded 0.93 percent lower on the main market today to reach SR53.