Saudi Capital Market

A thriving capital market, one that not only brings investment funds into a country but also distributes profits in a transparent manner, is essential for any economy, especially a rapidly developing one such as Saudi Arabia. Already a key player on the world stage, the Kingdom is going through a major planned economic transformation and diversification. In particular, a robust and transparent capital market, with a high level of integrity and sound enforcement, is well on the way to fruition. This book is the first in English to analyse and evaluate the roles of economic planning and a capital market in Saudi Arabia’s economic modernization. In the process of examining the level of transparency and fairness in Saudi Arabia’s capital market, the author provides detailed information and analysis of such issues and topics as the following: – market disclosure rules; – insider trading laws; – gaps in enforcement; – dispute resolution; – role of securities agencies; – Saudi Arabia’s position in international organizations; and – repercussions of the 2006 Saudi stock market collapse. The author draws on a wide range of sources in both English and Arabic, and concludes with well-grounded proposals for appropriate judicial, administrative, and enforcement policies. Investors, their management and attorneys, and other advisors with an eye on trade development in the Middle East will derive great benefit from the current and detailed information in this book. Lawyers and policymakers will discover all they need to know about the Saudi capital market, its developing trends, and applicable laws.

The book examines in depth, the centrality of the Saudi fixed currency regime to the US dollar, SAMA’s monetary tools, macro prudential policies and its supervision of the Saudi commercial banking sector and new sectors such as insurance, the emerging Fin Tech industry as well as a closer examination of SAMA’s investment policies as custodian of the local currency. Saudi Arabia has long been associated with its central role in the global energy market, with its decisions on production volumes affecting the global financial markets. However, the Kingdom has also emerged as a significant global financial player due to its large holdings of international currency, its dominance of the regional Gulf and Arab world capital markets, and the aspirations of its Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Public Investment Fund. The G20 Presidency in 2020 has also placed Saudi Arabia on the global stage for the country to showcase progress in many and opening up its financial market to foreign investors. But the path to financial regulation and liberation to unleash Saudi Arabia’s potential has not come overnight, but through incremental steps and learning by doing. The results speak for themselves as this book examines: • The Saudi Capital Market and the evolution of its main Tadawul and parallel NOMU stock markets following the inclusion of Tadawul in the FTSE Russell, MSCI and S&P EM Indexes • The centrality of the Saudi fixed peg exchange regime as well as a closer examination of SAMA’s investment policies as custodian of the local currency • SAMA’s rebranding in 2020 as a Central Bank, its monetary and macro prudential policies and the re entry of foreign banks to the Saudi market, reversing previous Saudization of foreign bank branches in Saudi Arabia. The Author offers an analysis of the key challenges facing Saudi Arabia in an age of financial globalization, FinTech and digitization. The challenges faced by the Saudi regulators in the COVID 19 era are examined, along with the country’s financial sector objectives as part of the Vision 2030 program, SME financing now a central plank in the country’s Vision 2030 program, the role of FDI in economic growth, the reasons behind Saudi Arabia languishing behind other countries in attracting FDI given the size of its economy and rising domestic and foreign debt levels. It has been an incredible journey for a young country, and by all indications, the journey for expanded global partnership continues as Saudi Arabia also puts into practice its version of the circular carbon economy, its commitment to climate change, and being at the forefront of a new global digital economy.

The print version containing all Saudi securities laws in one volume--an essential finding tool not available anywhere else! This tool contains all Saudi securities law, including:Introduction Glossary of Defined Terms (Amended) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Rules Authorized Persons Regulations Capital Market Institutions Regulations Capital Markets Law Company Announcements Corporate Governance Regulations Credit Rating Agencies Regulations Depositary Receipts Direct Financing Investment Funds Instructions Financial Technology Foreign Strategic Investor Ownership-Listed Companies Investment Accounts Instructions Investment Funds Announcements (Forms) Investment Funds Regulations IPO Book Building IPO Price Stabilization Mechanism Joint Stock Companies Regulatory Rules, Procedures and Guidance Note Market Conduct Regulations Merger and Acquisition Regulations Non-Resident Foreigners Investment in Parallel Market Guidance Note Offer of Securities Regulations Revised Procedures for Listed Companies with Losses Prudential Rules Public Consultations on Implementing Regulations Qualified Foreign Financial Institutions Regulations Qualified Foreign Institutions FAQ Real Estate Investment Funds Regulations Registration of Auditors Reporting of Violations of Capital Market Law Securities Borrowing and Lending Regulations Securities Business Regulations Securities Disputes Short Selling Regulations Securities Central Counterparties Regulations Special Purpose Entities Rules Swap Agreements Framework ...and an expanded glossary. With this tool, it is now possible to search all Saudi securities laws at once. Much cheaper than hiring a lawyer to perform legal research--this book pays for itself the first time you use it.

First Published in 1997. Economic adjustment programs that combine macroeconomic stability and structural reforms are being implemented in several Arab countries. Policy-makers also are devoting more attention to improving the operation of domestic capital markets. To invest in this region now would be a far-sighted move by entering at a stage when the process is still under way. This book is one of very few readily available sources of reference on the region's stock and bond markets, presented in a concise and accessible form. It provides investors, policy-makers, analysts, bankers and other market participants with comprehensive information covering the top 10 Arab stock markets of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. For each market, a historical background is given together with structure, listing and trading procedures, performance trends, financial indicators, sectoral analysis and underlying strengths and weaknesses.

This book is a compilation of Saudi Securities law accompanied by a brief analysis. Containing all relevant Saudi securities laws, it is a necessary reference for those seeking to make private placements, raise funds, or buy or sell securities in and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This edition contains the full text of the publicly unavailable Securities Disputes Committee Rules in English as well as a section index.

Saudi Arabia’s Report on Standards and Codes has been examined. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has made significant progress in establishing its supervision credentials, including issuing implementing regulations. The CMA approach to supervision is both risk-based and compliance-focused, and the cost of compliance needs to be a more central focus when establishing mandatory obligations. The CMA has general and broad powers for inspection and investigation, and it conducts full electronic surveillance of the market. The CMA has the authority to investigate potential violations and to bring enforcement action seeking civil and criminal penalties.

The Middle East economies and their respective capital markets are a unique combination of extremes—from the vibrant, trade-based United Arab Emirates and resource rich Kuwait and Qatar to ones that are currently experiencing challenging times, such as Iraq and Lebanon. This brief covers the history, current characteristics, and challenges and opportunities of 10 capital markets from the Middle East. Each chapter is written by local authors familiar with the corresponding market: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.