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HSBC aims to capture more of Saudi market using innovative products

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Updated 20 February 2024
Reina Takla
Miguel Hadchity
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HSBC aims to capture more of Saudi market using innovative products

HSBC aims to capture more of Saudi market using innovative products
Updated 20 February 2024
Reina Takla Miguel Hadchity
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RIYADH: Innovation is a priority for HSBC Saudi Arabia as it aims to enhance its offerings, according to the bank’s CEO.

Faris AlGhannam, CEO and board member of HSBC Saudi Arabia, provided a comprehensive overview of the financial institution’s prospective plans, along with the Kingdom’s economic landscape and the investment opportunities it presents. 

In an interview with Arab News, on the sidelines of the third Saudi Capital Market Forum held in Riyadh, AlGhannam shared insights on the bank’s endeavors, saying: “Innovation is definitely a priority for us, especially considering our global reach and the focus on the Saudi capital markets. We will always look at adding to what we have done so far.”

The top executive said his bank aims to explore different areas in the Saudi market. He laid emphasis on focusing on debt capital market, the Kingdom’s initial public offerings market and expressed resolved to take “technology to the next level and activate the derivates and the future markets.”

According to the CEO, these areas are a priority for HSBC to contribute to in the immediate future.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s exceptional performance on the global stage, he said: “The Kingdom, in the year 2023, was the best-performing, or one of the best-performing, large economies in the world, with nearly 8 percent growth in GDP (gross domestic product),” stressing the significance of this achievement beyond the confines of the energy sector.

AlGhannam underlined the surge in investment flows into the Kingdom over the past three years and said: “The investment that flows into the Kingdom has seen more than 70 percent growth over the last three years.”

Amid global economic headwinds, he reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s robust position as a standout performer in absolute and relative terms. He highlighted the Kingdom’s ability to weather economic uncertainties, attributing its resilience to a confluence of factors, including prudent financial policies and strategic investments. 

In tandem with the Kingdom’s economic ascendancy, AlGhannam lauded HSBC’s commitment to the Saudi Capital Market Forum, underscoring the bank’s role as a key partner in facilitating meaningful dialogue and fostering collaboration within the financial ecosystem. 

Reflecting on the forum’s evolution, the top banker expressed satisfaction with its trajectory, noting a marked increase in the participation of international investors and corporates. 

“We are very proud to be a partner from the inception of this conference,” the CEO remarked, highlighting HSBC’s multifaceted support in enhancing the forum’s prominence and efficacy over the years.

Transitioning to the subject of capital expenditure initiatives, AlGhannam explained Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which entails a substantial CapEx program spanning several billion dollars over the next six to seven years. 

He underscored the instrumental role of capital sectors in facilitating these initiatives, particularly in deepening the debt capital markets to enable financing for transformative projects. 

“In order to deliver that program, you need to tap all financing and investment pools,” AlGhannam affirmed, emphasizing the indispensable role of capital markets in driving sustainable economic development.

The CEO emphasized that from the inception of the derivatives and futures markets to the launch of the first Saudi exchange-traded funds in Asia, HSBC has remained at the vanguard of financial innovation, catalyzing growth and diversification within the Saudi financial ecosystem. 

Transitioning to the burgeoning domain of environmental, social, and governance initiatives, AlGhannam explained HSBC’s pivotal role in fostering sustainable finance and ESG integration within the Saudi market. 

He highlighted the bank’s proactive efforts in assisting Saudi companies in developing their ESG frameworks and facilitating green issuances, thus aligning with the broader objectives of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. 

“For us globally, ESG and transition is one of our key focus areas,” AlGhannam affirmed, echoing HSBC’s steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable finance agendas in close collaboration with key stakeholders.

AlGhannam concluded on an optimistic note, envisioning a future characterized by accelerated progress in ESG initiatives and sustainable finance agendas in Saudi Arabia and on the global stage. 

“We believe the coming years for the Kingdom, but beyond also for the global markets, will see acceleration in the ESG agenda,” AlGhannam remarked, expressing confidence in the transformative power of sustainable finance to drive inclusive growth and prosperity.

Topics: Saudi Capital Market Forum business

Saudi Arabia’s demand for apartments pushes new mortgages over $16bn

Saudi Arabia’s demand for apartments pushes new mortgages over $16bn
Updated 59 min 57 sec ago
Dayan Abou Tine
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Saudi Arabia’s demand for apartments pushes new mortgages over $16bn

Saudi Arabia’s demand for apartments pushes new mortgages over $16bn
Updated 59 min 57 sec ago
Dayan Abou Tine

RIYADH: Banks in Saudi Arabia granted SR60.92 billion ($16.24 billion) in residential mortgages in the first nine months of 2024, an annual rise of 4.88 percent.

The data was released by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, and it showed the bulk of the loans — constituting 64 percent or SR38.85 billion — was allocated for house purchases.

This segment did witness a 3.38 percent dip year on year, with its proportion of total loans shrinking from the 69 percent seen during the same period of 2023.

Demand for apartments surged, capturing 31 percent of total mortgages, up from 25 percent a year ago, as this category of lending reached SR18.6 billion.

This shift represents a 26.8 percent growth, underscoring the increasing preference for apartment ownership amid urbanization and demographic changes.

Additionally, loans for land purchases showed a promising trajectory, achieving an annual growth rate of 8.26 percent and amounting to SR3.5 billion, which signals a sustained interest in land investment across the Kingdom.

The rise in new residential bank loans across Saudi Arabia is being driven by a blend of population growth, evolving mortgage policies, and increasing interest in apartment living.

According to a recent report from online real estate platform Sakan, the Kingdom’s population surged by four million over the past five years, with demand for housing climbing in response.

While this trend fuels the broader housing market, apartments have become a prominent focus, reflecting changing demographics and affordability needs.

The growth of the expatriate population, which expanded from 9.9 million in 2010 to 13.4 million in 2022 and now makes up over 40 percent of the population, also adds pressure on the rental market, particularly in major cities.

The government’s push for greater home ownership through buyer-friendly mortgage policies is helping fuel this apartment demand. 

Favorable mortgage options and the recent introduction of the Premium Residency Visa, often dubbed the “Saudi Green Card,” allow foreign investors to enter the market with purchases over SR4 million, fostering interest in upscale residential investments.

Additionally, the value proposition of apartments is clear, as with SR1 million, buyers can access apartment sizes that vary by city — for instance, around 131 sq. meters in North Riyadh to a more spacious 333 sq. meters in Dammam, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia’s liberalized foreign ownership policies and affordable mortgage terms further boost demand, particularly for apartments in desirable areas.

The high rental yields offered by apartments in Saudi Arabia also attract investors, with two- and three-bedroom apartments in Riyadh delivering yields of 9 to 10 percent, and even higher returns in Jeddah, where a two-bedroom unit yields 11.7 percent.

These returns are notably higher than apartment yields in neighboring Gulf cities, where they average between 5 to 6 percent in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

High rental yields not only make apartments attractive as long-term investments but also help offset rising property costs, driving both end-users and investors to favor this category in a market characterized by shifting residential preferences.

According to the report, the surge is also driven by the rapid evolution of real estate technology.

Platforms like Sakan are reshaping the real estate landscape by enhancing transparency, streamlining property transactions, and providing data-driven insights for buyers and investors alike.

Leveraging local knowledge and international expertise, these platforms are supporting the sector’s growth by simplifying access to property listings, improving market transparency, and facilitating faster transaction times.

As property technology continues to integrate into the Saudi market, it is poised to play a pivotal role in sustaining the momentum of residential lending and meeting the needs of a tech-savvy, expanding population.

Topics: Mortgages SAUDI REAL ESTATE

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Saudi Arabia’s official reserves reach $457bn, up 4%

Saudi Arabia’s official reserves reach $457bn, up 4%
Updated 15 November 2024
Dayan Abou Tine
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Saudi Arabia’s official reserves reach $457bn, up 4%

Saudi Arabia’s official reserves reach $457bn, up 4%
Updated 15 November 2024
Dayan Abou Tine

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s official reserve assets reached SR1.71 trillion ($456.97 billion) in September, marking a 4 percent increase year-on-year, according to new data.

Figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, show these holdings include monetary gold, special drawing rights, the International Monetary Fund’s reserve position, and foreign reserves.

The latter, comprising currency and deposits abroad as well as investments in foreign securities, made up 94.5 percent of the total, amounting to SR1.62 trillion in September. This category grew 4.11 percent during this period.

September data indicated that special drawing rights rose to SR79.86 billion, marking a 4.18 percent increase and reaching the highest level in two and a half years. SDRs now account for 4.66 percent of Saudi Arabia’s total reserves.

Created by the IMF to supplement member countries’ official reserves, SDRs derive their value from a basket of major currencies, including the US dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling. They can be exchanged among governments for freely usable currencies when needed.

SDRs provide additional liquidity, stabilize exchange rates, act as a unit of account, and facilitate international trade and financial stability.

The IMF reserve position totaled around SR12.64 billion, but decreased by 11.45 percent during this period. This category represents the amount a country can draw from the IMF without conditions.

Saudi Arabia’s official reserves have been a fundamental pillar of the nation’s economic stability and are closely tied to its strategic investments in foreign securities.

The Kingdom’s reserves include an extensive portfolio of foreign assets, diversified across currencies and geographies, ensuring the country has a robust financial buffer against global economic uncertainties.

This prudent reserve management has helped Saudi Arabia maintain a resilient fiscal position and a strong credit rating, affirmed at “A/A-1” by S&P Global, which recently upgraded the Kingdom’s outlook to positive due to its sustained reform momentum.

In alignment with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has adopted an expansionary fiscal policy to support transformative projects aimed at reducing its economic dependence on oil.

This ambitious agenda has led to budget deficits and prompted the country to tap into debt markets to finance key infrastructure and social initiatives.

Despite the uptick in debt, the Kingdom remains fiscally well-positioned, with ample reserves and substantial net assets, projected to stay above 40 percent of GDP through 2027 according to S&P Global.

This buffer underscores Saudi Arabia’s capacity to absorb potential economic shocks while continuing to pursue its development goals.

The nation’s significant reserve base not only underpins its economic stability but also provides the flexibility to recalibrate spending on large infrastructure projects as needed, maintaining a balance between growth and fiscal discipline.

This strategy is essential as Saudi Arabia seeks to nurture its non-oil sectors, supported by the Public Investment Fund and other governmental entities.

The PIF’s role in fostering a diversified economy is central to Vision 2030’s objectives, from investment in renewable energy to technology and healthcare, creating a more resilient and diversified economic base.

With the positive outlook and strategic focus on sustainable growth, Saudi Arabia’s economic reforms are expected to drive strong non-oil growth over the medium term, further cementing the Kingdom’s fiscal stability and enhancing investor confidence in its long-term economic vision.

Topics: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) saudi central bank reserves

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COP29: Clean energy a catalyst for stability, recovery in conflict zones

COP29: Clean energy a catalyst for stability, recovery in conflict zones
Updated 15 November 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
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COP29: Clean energy a catalyst for stability, recovery in conflict zones

COP29: Clean energy a catalyst for stability, recovery in conflict zones
  • Environmental solutions reduce dependence on imports
  • Micro-grids support conflict-ridden communities
Updated 15 November 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI

BAKU: As COP29 progresses in Baku, attention is turning to the ways in which clean energy can transform post-conflict recovery efforts, bringing both environmental resilience and social stability to regions affected by war.

This year’s discussions have highlighted how renewable energy offers more than environmental benefits, having the potential to catalyze economic recovery, improve living standards and build long-term resilience in areas most vulnerable to conflict.

Renewable energy in conflict recovery: A new dimension of aid

Experts have highlighted how sustainable infrastructure can reduce dependence on foreign energy imports and fuel local economies in war-torn areas.

Hafed Al-Ghwell, a North African geopolitics expert, said in an interview with Arab News that “clean energy isn’t just about generating power; it’s about autonomy and resilience.” For regions dependent on volatile foreign fuel supplies, renewables offer a more stable power source that strengthens local autonomy.

Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in supporting communities severely affected by both conflict and climate change.

“The people who are most affected by climate change risks are those who live in zones of armed conflict and have the least capability to adapt and face these risks,” Carbonnier said.

He described how the ICRC is using solar power to help protect communities from droughts, floods and extreme weather across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.

“What we need is to scale these efforts, which means directing much more climate funding to conflict zones,” Carbonnier added.

This local approach provides immediate aid while laying the foundation for sustainable recovery in areas struggling with limited resources and infrastructure damage.

Gaza: The intersection of war and environmental crisis

The war and occupation in Gaza represents a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis.

Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan addressed COP29. In calling for global solidarity with Gaza, he said: “Saving our planet must start from the premise that all lives are worth saving.” He described how the war is “compounding environmental challenges for Gaza and beyond.”

A recent UN Environment Program report highlighted severe contamination of Gaza’s land, water and air due to the destruction of critical infrastructure, including sewage and waste systems, leaving communities surrounded by hazardous debris.

Carbonnier said that Gaza is emblematic of the dual crisis faced by many conflict zones, where war intensifies environmental damage and deepens humanitarian challenges.

“In Gaza, conflict has degraded critical infrastructure to the point where basic resources like clean water and electricity are scarce,” he said.

“Renewable energy solutions, such as solar micro-grids, could offer essential relief by providing stable power to hospitals, schools and homes,” he added.

In Gaza, solar micro-grids deployed by NGOs are already providing essential power for hospitals and emergency shelters, offering a sustainable alternative to fuel imports which have been blockaded by Israeli forces since the conflict began.

An image from the COP29 conference in Baku. AN

Resilience through clean energy infrastructure

Renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar and wind power, is highly adaptable to conflict and post-conflict settings due to its low maintenance requirements and modular design.

Solar panels and wind turbines require minimal upkeep and their modular nature allows for incremental infrastructure development as security improves.

This approach has proved effective in Syria, where solar-powered micro-grids are supplying power to refugee camps, providing consistent electricity for vital services like sanitation and healthcare.

According to Carbonnier, these micro-grids “reduce dependence on often costly and dangerous fuel deliveries and stabilize power supplies for communities under stress.”

Renewable energy micro-grids are now recognized as a cornerstone of humanitarian aid, offering stability to populations affected by protracted crises.

Policy implications and international support

For renewable energy to become a reliable tool in post-conflict recovery, coordinated international support and robust policy frameworks are essential.

Azerbaijan’s lead COP29 negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, highlighted the need for financial support specifically directed at conflict zones. “Bridging the gaps between climate finance and peace-building efforts can unlock substantial benefits for communities emerging from conflict,” Rafiyev said.

Rumen Radev, president of Bulgaria, highlighted the link between climate resilience and global stability, telling Arab News: “Extreme meteorological events threaten not just people and economies, but also the security and stability of the world.”

His remarks highlight the importance of COP29’s goals in fostering peace through enhanced climate resilience.

Topics: COP29 Green & Blue Renewable Energy

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Oil Updates – crude heads for weekly loss as Chinese demand continues to underperform

Oil Updates – crude heads for weekly loss as Chinese demand continues to underperform
Updated 15 November 2024
Reuters
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Oil Updates – crude heads for weekly loss as Chinese demand continues to underperform

Oil Updates – crude heads for weekly loss as Chinese demand continues to underperform
Updated 15 November 2024
Reuters

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Friday on signs demand in China, the world’s biggest crude importer, continues to underperform amid its uneven economic recovery.

Brent crude futures were down 65 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $71.91 a barrel by 7:50 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 62 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $68.08.

For the week, Brent is set to fall 2.7 percent while WTI is set to decline 3.3 percent.

“While oil prices have somewhat stabilized around the $71.00 level of support this week, the lack of a concrete bullish catalyst suggests that price recovery remains tepid for now,” Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG, said in an email.

The prospect of higher supplies from the US and OPEC+ along with doubts over China’s economic recovery continue to be of concern, while the odds of a December rate cut are now “closer to a coin flip” under a less dovish Federal Reserve, Yeap added.

China’s oil refiners in October processed 4.6 percent less crude than a year earlier, falling year-on-year for a seventh month, amid the closures of some plants and reduced operating rates at smaller independent refiners, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday.

The decline in run rates occurred as China’s factory output growth slowed last month and demand woes in its property sector showed few signs of abating even though consumer spending increased, government data showed.

Oil prices also fell this week as major forecasters indicated market fundamentals remained bearish.

The International Energy Agency forecast global oil supply will exceed demand in 2025 even if cuts remain in place from OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, as rising production from the US and other outside producers outpaces sluggish demand.

The Paris-based agency raised its 2024 demand growth forecast by 60,000 barrels per day to 920,000 bpd, and left its 2025 oil demand growth forecast little changed at 990,000 bpd.

OPEC this week cut its forecast for global oil demand growth for this year and 2025, highlighting weakness in China, India and other regions, marking the producer group’s fourth-consecutive downward revision to its 2024 outlook.

US crude inventories last week rose by 2.1 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration said on Thursday, much more than analysts’ expectations for a 750,000-barrel rise.

Gasoline stocks fell by 4.4 million barrels last week to the lowest since November 2022, the EIA said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 600,000-barrel build.

​Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, also fell unexpectedly by 1.4 million barrels, the data showed.

Topics: oil updates oil prices

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Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh in 2025

Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh in 2025
Updated 15 November 2024
ARAB NEWS 
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Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh in 2025

Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh in 2025
Updated 15 November 2024
ARAB NEWS 

RIYADH: American football legend Tom Brady tossed a football to Saudi Arabia's General Secretariat of Council of Ministers Fahd bin Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed who announced that the 2025 Fortune Global Forum will be held in Riyadh.

The elite of the world's business leaders will converge on Riyadh next year as the Fortune Global Forum makes its inaugural appearance at the Saudi capital.

Al-Rasheed joked that if he fumbled the ball, it was Brady's fault and if he caught it he is “a great player.”

 

The event, organized by Fortune magazine, is attended by presidents, chairmen and CEOs, as well as prestigious economists.

Fahd bin Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed, chairman of the Saudi Convention and Exhibitions General Authority, said for the past 30 years the forum had brought together “the titans of industry around the world to the forefront of economic development.”

Speaking at this year’s forum, which concluded in New York on Tuesday, he added: “And that forefront today is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

He urged delegates to visit the Kingdom’s business epicenter to see what it had to offer.

Topics: football Tom Brady

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