Gulf, China exchanges sign deal to boost commodity ties
Updated 20 April 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
JEDDAH: Relations between the Middle East and China’s derivatives markets are set to deepen following a new cooperation agreement signed between the Gulf Mercantile Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange.
Under the agreement, GME — the Middle East’s leading international energy and commodities futures exchange — and SHFE — one of China’s primary commodity trading platforms — will collaborate on a range of strategic initiatives.
These include joint product development, market research, the exchange of insights on market trends, and investor education efforts, according to a joint statement released by both exchanges.
“This partnership is a key step toward strengthening alignment between China and the Gulf in commodities trading,” said Raid Al-Salami, managing director of GME.
“We value our cooperation with SHFE and look forward to the opportunities this agreement will unlock for both sides.”
The agreement comes on the heels of a strong performance year for GME. In January, the exchange reported a 12 percent increase in total trading volume for 2024, reaching 1.32 million contracts — up from 1.18 million the previous year. Front-month contract volumes surged 20 percent to a record 959,565 contracts, while total physical exposure rose by 11 percent, reflecting GME’s commitment to enhancing market accessibility and supporting sustainable growth.
Formerly known as the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, GME has a long-standing reputation as a key player in the region’s commodities sector. Established with the vision of creating internationally accessible derivatives markets for Middle East commodities, the exchange has continued to evolve in scope and ambition.
A major milestone came in 2024 when the Saudi Tadawul Group acquired a third strategic stake in the exchange. This acquisition led to a rebranding from DME to GME, signaling a renewed focus on building out commodity markets in Saudi Arabia and across the wider GCC as part of a long-term strategic roadmap.
With this new partnership, GME and SHFE are poised to play a central role in shaping the future of commodity trading between two of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
Egypt central bank cuts key interest rates by 100 basis points, statement says
Updated 22 sec ago
Reuters
CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank lowered its key interest rates by 100 basis points on Thursday, its second rate cut in 2025 after keeping rates unchanged for a year.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends lower at 11,188
MSCI Tadawul 30 Index lost 12.2 points to close at 1,428.81
Parallel market Nomu declined by 156.89 points to end at 27,260.73
Updated 48 min 19 sec ago
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed in the red on Thursday, falling 114.94 points, or 1.02 percent, to settle at 11,188.74.
The total trading turnover reached SR4.4 billion ($1.17 billion), with 76 stocks advancing and 165 declining.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also dropped, losing 12.2 points, or 0.85 percent, to close at 1,428.81.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu declined by 156.89 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 27,260.73, with 29 stocks gaining and 49 retreating.
The best-performing stock of the day was Saudi Reinsurance Co., rising 3.70 percent to SR49.
Other top gainers included Al-Rajhi Company for Cooperative Insurance, whose share price rose 3.65 percent to SR119.2, and Umm Al-Qura Cement Co., which gained 3.42 percent to SR17.54.
The day’s largest decline was seen in SHL Finance Co., with its share price dipping 4.93 percent to SR19.30.
Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. saw its shares drop 3.86 percent to SR13.44, while Saudi Arabian Oil Co. declined 3.64 percent to SR25.15.
The best performer on the Kingdom’s parallel market was Enma AlRawabi Co., with its share price surging by 7.77 percent to reach SR24.98.
Lamasat Co.’s share price increased by 7.58 percent to reach SR7.1, and Natural Gas Distribution Co. reached SR47, increasing by 6.82 percent.
Albattal Factory for Chemical Industries Co. was the worst performer on the parallel market, declining 16.83 percent to reach SR42.
Aramco, stc drive Saudi brands’ value up 14% to $117bn, new report shows
Energy, banking, and telecommunications represent nearly 74% of the total brand value in the rankings
Dairy producer Almarai is recognized as the Kingdom’s third strongest brand
Updated 56 min 30 sec ago
Reem Walid
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top 100 brands reached a combined valuation of $116.8 billion as of January, up 14 percent year on year, led by energy giant Aramco and telecom operator stc, according to a new report.
Marketing consultancy firm Brand Finance said Aramco retained its position as the Kingdom’s most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year, with a valuation of $41.7 billion.
The company’s strength stems from its global oil production capabilities and investments in low-carbon technologies.
Aramco retained its position as the Kingdom’s most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year. Shutterstock
The Kingdom’s economy remains heavily influenced by its core sectors — energy, banking, and telecommunications — which together represent nearly 74 percent of the total brand value in the rankings. This sector concentration underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification efforts as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
Andrew Campbell, managing director, Brand Finance Middle East, said: “Saudi Arabia’s brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future.”
46% of the total brand value of the top 150 brands in the #MiddleEast are Saudia Arabian brands. The combined value of the 63 Saudi brands featured in the ranking stands at $112.4 billion.
He added: “From long-standing powerhouses like Aramco and stc to fast-rising brands like Saudia and Almarai, there’s a real sense of momentum across sectors. These brands are not only contributing to the Kingdom’s economic transformation but also setting new benchmarks for excellence in the region and beyond.”
The report further revealed that stc ranked as the Kingdom’s second most valuable brand in 2025, with a valuation of $41.7 billion, up 16 percent year on year.
This growth is primarily linked to the successful implementation of its Masterbrand strategy, which facilitated expansion into sectors like banking, cybersecurity, B2B, and IT services through strategic mergers and acquisitions.
stc ranked as the strongest brand in Saudi Arabia, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 88.7 out of 100 and an AAA rating. File/Reuters
The report by the London-based brand valuation consultancy showed that stc is also ranked as the strongest brand in Saudi Arabia, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 88.7 out of 100 and an AAA rating. Its continued investment in 5G infrastructure and digital financial services has solidified its position as a telecom leader.
An AAA rating is the highest possible credit or brand strength rating, indicating robust reliability, quality, and performance.
With brand value up 20 percent to $4.7 billion, Dairy producer Almarai is recognized as the Kingdom’s third strongest brand, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 85.5 out of 100 and an AAA brand strength rating.
Almarai is also ranked as the top brand in Saudi Arabia for environmental, social, and governance performance. Almarai
This follows the brand’s collaboration with Google Cloud, launched in November, which is driving its digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency.
Almarai is also ranked as the top brand in Saudi Arabia for environmental, social, and governance performance, underscoring its strong commitment to ethical business practices, sustainable farming, and reducing carbon emissions.
As for Saudia, its brand value surged by 34 percent to reach $1.1 billion in January, making it the fastest-growing Saudi brand and marking its first time crossing the billion-dollar milestone.
Saudia’s brand value surged by 34 percent to reach $1.1 billion in January. Wikipedia
This achievement is largely attributed to the airline’s bold rebranding, along with advances in AI-driven customer service and infrastructure upgrades, which have significantly boosted its global brand visibility.
The report further revealed that ROSHN Group, with a brand value of $1.1 billion, is the highest-ranked new entrant in the Kingdom this year. It also became the most valuable real estate brand in the country and secured a place among the top 20 brands overall. This debut reflects the company’s strong financial performance and ambitious expansion strategy.
“Saudi Arabia’s brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. It’s particularly exciting to see new entrants like ROSHN Group make such a strong debut, showing that diversification and ambition are paying off,” Campbell added.
In the record of the continuous achievements of #ROSHNGROUP, this new accomplishment comes to confirm our vision and ambition, turning into reality every day
We are proud to announce that ROSHN GROUP has been recognized as the Most Valuable Real Estate Brand in Saudi Arabia, and…
— ROSHN Group | مجموعة روشن (@Roshnksa) May 21, 2025
Saudi Arabia doubles funding to Union of Arab Chambers
Expanded support will significantly enhance UAC’s capacity to deliver programs and initiatives empowering the Arab private sector
FSC and UAC are working to boost intra-Arab trade and expand access to third markets
Updated 57 min 29 sec ago
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has doubled its financial contribution to the Union of Arab Chambers, a decisive move aimed at reinforcing regional economic integration and boosting private sector cooperation across the Arab world.
The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the increase on Tuesday, stating that the expanded support will significantly enhance the UAC’s capacity to deliver programs and initiatives that empower the Arab private sector and foster closer economic ties among member states.
The decision underscores the Kingdom’s growing leadership role in regional economic affairs and comes at a time when calls for deeper intra-Arab collaboration are intensifying. A 2023 report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia warned of declining exports and over-reliance on limited markets, urging Arab countries to diversify and strengthen intra-regional trade.
Despite shared economic interests, intra-Arab trade made up just 13.8 percent of the region’s total foreign trade by late 2024—a figure FSC President Moejeb Al-Hwaizy described as “modest” in comparison to other global economic blocs. Al-Hwaizy was elected first vice president of the UAC during its 135th session in Qatar.
The FSC noted that Saudi Arabia’s enhanced contribution reflects its “strategic responsibility” as the UAC’s largest financial backer and soon-to-be president. “This is an extension of the federation’s role in supporting the private sector at the local, regional, and international levels,” it said.
The Kingdom’s leadership in the UAC, founded in 1951 and comprising chambers from all Arab League member states, highlights its broader ambition to promote joint Arab economic action, unlock cross-border investment, and facilitate closer coordination among private sector leaders.
With several joint initiatives already underway, the FSC and UAC are working to boost intra-Arab trade and expand access to third markets through business partnerships and strategic cooperation.
As the only Arab country in the G20 and the region’s largest economy, Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in Arab economic institutions signals its continued commitment to fostering unity and resilience in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.
Saudi Arabia’s Matarat, Thales sign deal to transform air travel experience
Deal focuses on enhancing innovation, operational efficiency, and overall passenger experience
It also includes knowledge-sharing initiatives, operational streamlining, and joint innovation efforts
Updated 51 min 47 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Matarat Holding, the state-owned company responsible for managing Saudi Arabia’s airports, has signed a strategic agreement with French aerospace and defense giant Thales to advance the Kingdom’s aviation sector through cutting-edge digital technologies.
The agreement, formalized during the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025 in Madrid, Spain, focuses on enhancing innovation, operational efficiency, and the overall passenger experience across the Kingdom’s 27 airports.
According to a statement by Matarat, the partnership will leverage Thales’ expertise in artificial intelligence, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to develop safer, smarter, and more efficient travel journeys.
As part of the collaboration, advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure will be deployed throughout Saudi Arabia’s airport network.
“This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a revolutionary step in reimagining the future of the Saudi aviation sector,” said Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Saudi Arabia and Central Asia.
“By combining Thales’ digital transformation capabilities with Matarat’s operational excellence, we aim to build a smart and secure aviation ecosystem.”
Roux emphasized that the integration of AI, cybersecurity solutions, and connected systems will not only improve passenger experience and boost efficiency, but also enhance national security, contributing directly to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of becoming a global aviation leader.
In addition to technology deployment, the agreement includes knowledge-sharing initiatives, operational streamlining, and joint innovation efforts aimed at future-proofing the Kingdom’s aviation infrastructure.
