The Saudi Securities Forum, which was opened by acting Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday, will discuss prospects of allowing foreign investment in the financial market to boost the Kingdom’s economy.

“The forum’s fourth session will also review the attractiveness of Saudi bonds and securities to foreign investors,” said an organizer. “It will also focus on enhancing market efficiency to open Saudi bourse to foreign investors.”

Prince Turki said the forum was aimed at developing the Saudi capital market environment, improving its transparency, strengthening its stability and providing better services to listed companies. “Stock market is one of the strong points of our economy and it reflects the economy’s reality,” he said.

The forum is organized by Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Capital Market Authority. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, chairman of RCCI, said because of global political disturbances the Saudi bourse lost SR140 billion.

Mohammed Alsheikh, chairman of CMA, highlighted his organization’s efforts to develop the Kingdom’s capital market. He said 86 companies with a total capital of SR15.5 billion have been licensed to provide securities services in the market.

The forum will tackle a host of issues related to the Saudi economy, finance and investment, such as the role of monetary policy in protecting the financial market, the role of the banking sector in applying the general monetary policy in the financial market, and the competitiveness of financial institutions.