Saudi-US Trade & Investment Council holds 9th meeting and discusses 31 joint initiatives

The meeting was chaired by the General Authority for Foreign Trade from the Saudi side and the Office of the US Trade Representative. SPA
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Updated 21 January 2026
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Saudi-US Trade & Investment Council holds 9th meeting and discusses 31 joint initiatives

RIYADH: The Saudi-US Trade and Investment Council held its ninth meeting in Riyadh on Jan. 21 and discussed 31 joint initiatives across various fields aimed at achieving the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The meeting was chaired by the General Authority for Foreign Trade from the Saudi side and the Office of the US Trade Representative from the American side, with the participation of 20 entities from both, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The council aims to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries by reviewing trade and investment policies, addressing obstacles, and supporting technical dialogue between relevant entities. 

It also focuses on developing trade and investment policies, facilitating trade, addressing technical and regulatory obstacles. The council aims to support cooperation in sanitary and phytosanitary measures and agricultural products, enhancing intellectual property protection, and fostering growth in digital trade, innovation, and emerging technologies.

The meeting was attended by several government entities including the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the General Ports Authority, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority were also attending, in addition to the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

Updated 02 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index extends gains as market opens wider to foreign investment

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 153.61 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 11,321.09.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.85 billion ($1.56 billion), as 207 of the listed stocks advanced, while 55 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased, up 21.20 points or 1.41 percent, to close at 1,524.18.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 278.13 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 24,013.03. This comes as 43 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated.

The best-performing stock was Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corp., with its share price surging by 7.26 percent to SR28.94.

Other top performers included Rasan Information Technology Co., which saw its share price rise by 6.51 percent to SR144, and Knowledge Economic City, which saw a 6.25 percent increase to SR13.09.

On the downside, the worst performer of the day was Najran Cement Co., whose share price fell by 2.11 percent to SR6.49.

Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. and Saudi Cable Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2 percent and 1.88 percent to SR103.10 and SR166.80, respectively.

On the announcement front, Riyad Bank has announced its annual financial results for 2025, with the total income from special commission of financing reaching SR24.1 billion, while net income from special commission of financing amounted to SR12 billion.

In a statement on Tadawul, the bank said: “Net income increased by 11.7 percent mainly due to an increase in total operating income and a decrease in total operating expenses.”

The bank further noted that the rise in total operating income was primarily driven by increased revenue from fees and commissions, trading activities, special commissions, gains on non-trading investments, and other operating sources. This growth was partially tempered by declines in exchange and dividend income.

“Net provision of expected credit losses and other losses decreased by 15.8 percent due to a decrease in impairment charge of credit losses and impairment charge for other financial assets, partially offset by an increase in impairment charge for investments,” it added.

RIBL’s share price closed at SR18.18 on the main market, marking a 1.43 percent increase.