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GCC banks poised for growth in 2025 amid economic shifts

ֱ and the UAE are expected to see non-oil growth exceed 3.4 percent, fueled by reforms and investment.  Reuters/File
ֱ and the UAE are expected to see non-oil growth exceed 3.4 percent, fueled by reforms and investment. Reuters/File
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Updated 18 March 2025

GCC banks poised for growth in 2025 amid economic shifts

GCC banks poised for growth in 2025 amid economic shifts
  • Diversification efforts, digital innovation power sector’s growth: report
  • ֱ and the UAE are expected to see non-oil growth exceed 3.4 percent, fueled by reforms and investment

RIYADH: The banking sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council is set for robust growth in 2025, supported by economic diversification efforts and favorable global financial conditions.

According to accounting firm Ernst & Young, economic expansion across the region — projected at 3.5 percent in 2025 — is driven by large-scale infrastructure projects, growing non-oil activity, and favorable monetary policies.

These projections align with numerous other rating agencies, including S&P Global, which stated in its latest banking sector outlook that financial institutions in the GCC region “are doing well” and expect their strong performance to continue throughout the year.

ֱ and the UAE, the two largest GCC economies, are expected to see non-oil growth exceed 3.4 percent, fueled by reforms and investment. “As we go into the first quarter of 2025, the GCC banking industry should remain strong due to considerable capital cushions, healthy asset quality indicators, and adequate profitability,” said the EY MENA Financial Services Leader, Mayur Pau.

Credit expansion

Saudi banks are witnessing steady credit expansion, propelled by Vision 2030 projects and a surge in private sector lending. “The country’s planned megaprojects will play a role in creating enormous business and lending opportunities for banks this year,” the report said.




Mayur Pau, EY MENA Financial Services leader. Supplied

Additionally, the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategies are providing long-term stability, with lending growth expected to remain robust throughout 2025.

The UAE banking sector is experiencing sustained growth in lending activities, aided by relaxed monetary policies and strong corporate and retail deposit inflows. “Asset quality will remain strong, as banks capitalize on high profits to provision for legacy loans,” the release stated. Credit demand, coupled with reduced borrowing costs, is set to drive further expansion.

Banks in Qatar remain well-capitalized, with strong Tier 1 and capital adequacy ratios exceeding regulatory thresholds. The ongoing expansion of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector is expected to generate fresh credit opportunities. 

“Domestic funding avenues are predicted to adequately finance credit expansion this year,” the report added.

In Oman, banking sector growth aligns with the country’s Vision 2040 diversification initiatives, which are boosting lending activity. 

Bahrain’s financial industry is benefiting from an uptick in private-sector investments and the completion of refinery upgrades. 

Kuwait’s banking sector maintains stability, backed by high foreign assets, accounting for 30.4 percent of total local bank assets.

Global factors

The US Federal Reserve’s 50 basis point rate cut in November has influenced GCC economies to follow suit, easing inflationary pressures and supporting economic activity. 

“This year, banks will pursue higher yields, as rate cuts tend to be reflected in their books with delayed effects,” the report explained. With Brent crude prices expected to remain above $74 per barrel through 2027, fiscal surpluses are anticipated to support financial stability.

GCC banks are accelerating their digital transformation efforts with increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, open banking, and digital currencies. 

“To fortify their profitability and improve cost optimization, banks should harness the power of digitization, generative AI, and API integration while committing to a sustainable future,” Pau added.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,904

Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,904
Updated 24 August 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,904

Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 10,904
  • Parallel market Nomu fell 28.51 points to close at 26,507.28
  • MSCI Tadawul Index gained 1.69 points to end at 1,410.74

RIYADH: ֱ’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index rose on Sunday, gaining 37.70 points, or 0.35 percent, to close at 10,904.53. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.14 billion ($1.10 billion), with 183 stocks advancing and 65 declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu fell 28.51 points, or 0.11 percent, to close at 26,507.28, with 47 stocks advancing and 44 declining. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index gained 1.69 points, or 0.12 percent, to end at 1,410.74. 

Among the top performers, Emaar The Economic City led the gainers with a surge of 7.94 percent to SR13.60, followed by Saudi Industrial Investment Group, which rose 6.95 percent to SR20.00, and Red Sea International Co., which climbed 6.76 percent to SR45.80. 

On the losing side, Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunication Co. recorded the largest drop, falling 3.15 percent to SR56.85, while Saudi Chemical Co. declined 2.29 percent to SR6.84, and Rasan Information Technology Co. fell 2.09 percent to SR93.55. 

On the corporate front, Riyadh Steel Co. reported a net profit of SR2.45 million for the first six months of 2025, down 3.16 percent year on year, attributed to a decrease in gross margin. 

Its shares ended the session at SR1.96, down 2 percent. 

Ratio Speciality Co. for Trading posted a net profit of SR6.56 million for the first half of the year, up 5.96 percent year on year, driven by an 18.95 percent rise in sales and the positive effects of expansion through acquisitions. 

Its stock closed at SR9.05, down 2.21 percent. 

Shatirah House Restaurant Co., also known as BURGERIZZR, signed an agreement to acquire 60 percent of SHOVEL Coffee Bean Trading Co., funded through internal resources and subject to regulatory approvals. 

The deal supports BURGERIZZR’s expansion into the cafe market. The company’s shares rose 5.15 percent to SR16.02. 

Banque Saudi Fransi announced plans to issue US dollar-denominated Tier 2 capital notes under its Medium Term Note Program, targeting qualified investors domestically and internationally. 

The bank appointed Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, DBS Bank Ltd., Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, HSBC Bank plc, Mashreqbank PSC, Mizuho International plc, and Saudi Fransi Capital as joint lead managers. 


ֱ’s Jamjoom Fashion confirms listing on Nomu parallel market, eyes IPO

ֱ’s Jamjoom Fashion confirms listing on Nomu parallel market, eyes IPO
Updated 24 August 2025

ֱ’s Jamjoom Fashion confirms listing on Nomu parallel market, eyes IPO

ֱ’s Jamjoom Fashion confirms listing on Nomu parallel market, eyes IPO
  • Company will offer 2.38 million shares
  • Listing to enhance Jamjoom Fashion’s profile, governance, and transparency

RIYADH: Saudi lifestyle retailer Jamjoom Fashion Trading Co. plans to sell a 30 percent stake in an initial public offering on the Kingdom’s Nomu parallel market, according to a statement on the Saudi Exchange. 

The company will offer 2.38 million shares, with the price range to be announced on Sept. 1. The subscription period for qualified investors will run from Sept. 1 to 4, and the final offer price will be set on Sept. 9. The shares will be listed on Nomu after regulatory approvals are completed. 

The planned listing follows steady earnings growth, with the retailer reporting SR540.4 million in revenue for the nine months to June 2025, up 14.3 percent, and net profit rising 17.1 percent to SR94.3 million. 

The listing comes as ֱ continues to develop its financial markets under the Vision 2030 transformation plan, which aims to diversify the economy and attract greater foreign investment. 

“The launch of the IPO is a crucial step in our journey so far,” said Founder and Chairman Kamal Osman Jamjoom. 

“It gives investors an opportunity to participate in a customer-focused industry that is unlike any other in our region, and one that has the potential to grow thanks to supportive government policies, macroeconomic conditions, and demographic trends,” he added. 

He also said the listing would enhance Jamjoom Fashion’s profile, governance, and transparency, supporting its next phase of growth by accelerating brand creation and expanding into new markets. 

Jamjoom Fashion, fully owned by Kamal Osman Jamjoom Trading Co., operates 218 stores across six Gulf markets, anchored by its flagship Nayomi lingerie and beauty brand, which generates about 84 percent of revenue, and its menswear brand Mihyar, contributing around 16 percent. 

Vice Chairman and CEO Stephen Holbrook said the IPO will serve as a “catalyst” for the company’s next growth chapter, enabling brand portfolio expansion, digital-first innovation, and a larger store footprint. 

The offering is being advised by EFG Hermes KSA, with Al-Rajhi Capital, SNB Capital, and Riyad Capital acting as receiving agents. The shares will be available only to qualified investors as defined by the Capital Market Authority. 

According to the company’s intention-to-float filing, Jamjoom Fashion plans to expand its e-commerce platforms, scale its loyalty programs, and introduce new brands to cater to changing consumer preferences in the region. 

It also aims to deepen its footprint in the Gulf Cooperation Council, where strong macroeconomic fundamentals and supportive government policies are driving growth in retail and lifestyle sectors. 


ֱ sees 28.8% rise in Chinese FDI to reach $8.2bn

ֱ sees 28.8% rise in Chinese FDI to reach $8.2bn
Updated 24 August 2025

ֱ sees 28.8% rise in Chinese FDI to reach $8.2bn

ֱ sees 28.8% rise in Chinese FDI to reach $8.2bn

RIYADH: Foreign direct investment from China into ֱ rose in 2024, with total Chinese FDI stock reaching SR31.1 billion ($8.2 billion), up from SR24.1 billion in 2023, a 28.8 percent increase.

Investment inflows jumped 164 percent year on year to SR8.6 billion, while net inflows more than tripled to SR7 billion, highlighting growing investor confidence in the Kingdom’s market and the strengthening economic partnership with China, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The rise in Chinese FDI comes as ֱ intensifies efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030. 

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih is leading a high-level delegation to China from Aug. 24-29. The visit falls under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee framework and the Joint Committee on Trade, Investment, and Technology, co-chaired by Al-Falih and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. The fifth meeting of this committee was held in May 2025.

Bilateral trade between the two nations exceeds $100 billion annually, making China ֱ’s largest trading partner. 

Chinese investments are concentrated in manufacturing but also span financial services, insurance, construction, mining, technology, trade, infrastructure, and healthcare.

During the visit, discussions in Shanghai will focus on petrochemical and industrial value chains, while Beijing meetings will explore financial partnerships and collaboration with state-owned enterprises. 

The delegation will also visit industrial facilities and participate in capital market activities in Hong Kong.

The visit builds on previous milestones in bilateral cooperation, including the Saudi-Chinese Investment Forum in December 2023, which brought together 1,200 government and private sector leaders and resulted in over 60 memorandums of understanding across sectors, including energy, agriculture, tourism, mining, finance, logistics, infrastructure, technology, and healthcare.

Al-Falih also participated in the China-GCC Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum in May 2024, attended by over 50 Saudi officials and business leaders.


ֱ issues 34 licenses for regional HQs in Q2: Investment Ministry

ֱ issues 34 licenses for regional HQs in Q2: Investment Ministry
Updated 24 August 2025

ֱ issues 34 licenses for regional HQs in Q2: Investment Ministry

ֱ issues 34 licenses for regional HQs in Q2: Investment Ministry
  • Over 125,000 services were delivered through investor outreach centers
  • MISA said it seeks to promote local opportunities and attract foreign investment

RIYADH: ֱ granted 34 licenses for regional headquarters in the second quarter of the year as part of its ongoing push to position itself as the Middle East’s leading business hub.

The figure was disclosed in the Ministry of Investment’s Economic and Investment Monitor for the second quarter of 2025. 

The report said more than 125,000 services were delivered through investor outreach centers, 59,000 online services via the ministry’s website, and 34,000 in-person services through comprehensive service centers during the same period.

Nearly 600 international companies, including Northern Trust, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Deloitte, have established bases in ֱ since 2021, the Saudi Press Agency reported in March.
 
The surge is driven by the government-backed Riyadh Regional Headquarters Program, which offers a 30-year corporate tax exemption, withholding tax relief, and regulatory support, reflecting efforts to position the Kingdom as a regional business hub and attract multinational corporations to the capital, in line with Vision 2030 plans to diversify the economy beyond oil.

“MISA seeks to promote local investment and attract foreign investment. It also organizes and participates in a variety of events. In Q2 2025, MISA took part and organized seven local and international events in different fields,” the ministry said.

These included high-level forums and roundtable meetings with countries including the US, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan, as well as participation in the VivaTech conference in Paris and the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia.

The platforms showcased the Kingdom’s investment opportunities and reinforced its commitment to global economic partnerships.

The ministry’s continued push to attract foreign direct investment comes as global FDI inflows declined by 4.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of the year, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Despite this, inflows to G20 countries increased by 33.5 percent, driven by key developing economies such as China and India.

The Ministry of Investment has also been instrumental in introducing new legislation to bolster investor confidence. Key regulatory developments include the establishment of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority and updates to laws concerning civil aviation, food security, and real estate.

These legal reforms aim to create a safer and more competitive investment environment in the Kingdom.

ֱ ranked third among emerging markets in the 2025 FDI Confidence Index and maintained a top global position in several international indicators related to investment climate, entrepreneurship, and digital infrastructure.

According to the ministry, such strides contribute to the Kingdom’s long-term investment targets, including attracting SR388 billion in FDI by 2030, raising the private sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to 65 percent, and achieving a 7 percent unemployment rate. 


Oman will launch ‘Golden Residency’ program to attract investors

Oman will launch ‘Golden Residency’ program to attract investors
Updated 24 August 2025

Oman will launch ‘Golden Residency’ program to attract investors

Oman will launch ‘Golden Residency’ program to attract investors

JEDDAH: Oman will launch its “Golden Residency” program for investors on Aug. 31, in a move designed to attract foreign capital, boost economic growth, and position the country as a leading global business hub.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion will unveil the residency program alongside the “Mujeedah Companies” initiative for high-performing firms and a new electronic service to transfer commercial registration ownership via the “Invest Oman” platform, according to the state news agency.

The announcement will be made at an event titled “Sustainable Business Environment,” hosted at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Recreation in Salalah under the patronage of Dhofar Gov. Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al-Said.

Oman’s Golden Residency mirrors similar initiatives across the Gulf, including ֱ’s Premium Residency Program and the UAE’s 10-year Golden Residency. 

The move aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil and foster a competitive, investment-friendly environment.

The residency program builds on reforms under Oman’s Foreign Capital Investment Law, which in recent years has allowed 100 percent foreign ownership in over 1,700 business activities, reduced registration fees, offered tax exemptions of up to 30 years, and streamlined more than 800 government services.

The Salalah event will also feature the signing of cooperation agreements with Sultan Qaboos University, the German University of Technology, the Oman Energy Association, and Binaa Professional Services to develop the construction sector, ONA reported.

Mubarak bin Mohammed Al-Douhani, director general of planning at MoCIIP, said these initiatives aim to provide investors with stable, long-term opportunities and position Oman as a global investment destination.

He added that the “Mujeedah Companies” program will help high-performing Omani firms expand locally and internationally through a package of incentives and support.

Al-Douhani, who also heads the ministry’s digital transformation team, highlighted the importance of digitalization in commercial transactions. The electronic authentication service for transferring commercial registration ownership is expected to cut time and costs for investors, while promoting transparency and efficiency.

The ministry is also focused on developing the construction sector to meet modern, sustainable standards and strengthening collaboration with academic institutions and the private sector to nurture talent and foster innovation.