Riyadh: The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Conference discussed the critical balance in capital markets between regulatory oversight and fostering international investor confidence, with a specific focus on the Saudi market.
According to Saudi Press Agency, CEO of Tadawul Group Khalid Al-Hussan asserted that the group’s high professionalism and transparency are key institutional strengths that attract both local and international investors and facilitate capital increases. He highlighted the numerous opportunities in the Kingdom’s financial landscape, which includes two markets with over 380 listed companies and billions of dollars in investments, placing the Kingdom among the top ten financial markets globally.
Al-Hussan revealed that total investments in the Kingdom have surpassed $110 billion, with more than 4,400 new market participants. He stated that these medium- and long-term changes, linked to legislative improvements, are enhancing accessibility for a wider range of investors and boosting interest in the Saudi markets.
Head of Securities Investments at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Abdulmajeed Alhagbani affirmed that the Saudi stock market is the leading market in the Arab world in terms of market capitalization and liquidity. He emphasized the significant legislative leap compared to the past, continuous growth, and commitment to innovation, including the creation of new financial products.
Alhagbani credited the positive results achieved in the capital markets to the balance between regulators and international investor confidence, positioning the PIF as a key pillar in the Saudi capital market’s development. He noted the Saudi economy’s strength, built on substantial capital, and highlighted significant financial growth over the past five years: capital flows increased from one trillion to two trillion riyals in 2024, the number of companies rose from 199 to over 260, and the stock market value saw a 3.5% increase in January 2024.
Regarding consistent investment strategies, Alhagbani noted their crucial value, disclosing that SAR3 to SAR4 billion have been allocated to these strategies, representing 9% of the targeted amount, with ongoing efforts aiming to reach 20% of the desired allocation.
