RIYADH: Capital markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council surpassed a combined capitalization of $4.2 trillion by the end of 2024, highlighting strong regional economies and sustained investor confidence.
The figure was revealed by Jasem Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, during his address at the third edition of the “Gulf Smart Investor Award” ceremony held in Riyadh on May 7.
In his remarks, Al-Budaiwi noted that GCC markets witnessed a total of 336.3 billion shares traded in 2024, marking a 20.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The total value of traded shares reached $682.2 billion, reflecting an annual growth of 28.4 percent.
These gains, he underlined, underscore the confidence of both domestic and international investors and reinforce the importance of continued efforts to build financial awareness and strengthen investor education.
Al-Budaiwi commended Saudi Arabia for hosting the awards and supporting the GCC’s broader economic agenda.
“His Excellency the secretary-general pointed out that amidst the astonishing acceleration and profound transformations taking place in financial markets globally and regionally, and in light of the GCC countries’ openness to the global economy, financial literacy is no longer merely marginal knowledge or an intellectual luxury,” an official release stated.
This positive momentum in GCC markets aligns with broader regional trends.
In the first quarter of 2025, stock markets across the Middle East and North Africa saw solid gains, with the Arab Monetary Fund’s Composite Index — tracking 16 Arab exchanges— rising 4.37 percent year-on-year.
The index also posted a 1.55 percent increase on a quarterly basis, reflecting continued investor confidence despite global monetary policy shifts and ongoing geopolitical pressures.
During his speech, Al-Budaiwi highlighted the central role of financial literacy in navigating increasingly complex and fast-evolving global financial markets, positioning it as a key factor in achieving financial security and long-term economic sustainability across the region.
The event, part of the GCC-wide investment literacy initiative known as Mulim, was attended by high-level officials, including Saudi Capital Market Authority Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz.
Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the award serves not only as a recognition of individual excellence but also as a broader message advocating the role of financial knowledge, strategic planning, and a sound regulatory environment in fostering informed investment decisions.
He commended the efforts of the Saudi Capital Market Authority and partner institutions for their role in supporting initiatives that contribute to financial knowledge across GCC societies.
Earlier this week an analysis by S&P Global revealed the market capitalization of the Kingdom’s Tadawul All Share Index reached $2.7 trillion at the end of 2024, representing a 10-year rise of 463 percent.
The credit rating agency’s report said the stock market is expected to play a crucial role in materializing the Kingdom’s economic transformation goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative.
